VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
HILL ARCHITECTURE
(HIMACHAL, J&K,LADHAKH)
• The term vernacular is derived from the Latin
vernaculus, meaning "domestic, native,
indigenous"; from verna, meaning "native
slave" or "home-born slave". Hence it means
‘native science of building’.
• The term "vernacular architecture" in general
refers to the informal building of structures
through traditional building methods by local
builders without using the services of a
professional architect. It is the most
widespread form of building.
Vernacular architecture stems from the belief that
architecture is a balanced combination of
• logical knowledge,
• divine inspiration and
• common sense.
•Vernacular architecture, as the term,

refers to the construction methodology that
natives
employ to build shelters using
locally prevalent resources and conditions.
The term "vernacular architecture" in general
refers to the informal building of structures
through traditional building methods by local
builders
without using the services of a professional
architect.
It is the most widespread form of building.
SYNONYMOUS TERMS
•ancestral or traditional architecture
•primitive or aboriginal architecture
•indigenous architecture
•folk, popular, or rural architecture
•ethnic architecture or ethno-architecture
• informal architecture
•the so-called "anonymous architecture" or "architecture without
architects;"
•“non-pedigree” architecture
•eco-friendly architecture
SOME FAMOUS WORDS ON VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE BY SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE

“It is the architecture of the people,
and by the people,
but not for the people.”
PAUL OLIVER defines in his book „Dwellings,‟
“It is a building designed by an amateur without
any training in design…………
The function of the building would be the dominant factor,
aesthetic considerations, though present to some small degree,
being quite minimal……………
Local materials would be used as a matter of course,
other materials being chosen and imported quite exceptionally”
RONALD BRUNSKILL
"Folk building growing in response to actual needs,
fitted into environment by people who knew no better
than
to fit them with native feeling"
FRANK

LLOYD WRIGHT
INFLUENCES ON VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

•CLIMATE-

most significant influences on vernacular
architecture is the macro climate of the area in
which the building is constructed
•Temperature
•Precipitation
•Wind speed

•CULTURE

•ENVIRONMENT AND MATERIALS
CHARACTERISTICS OF VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
• Dwellings and structures that are built as a product of

traditional
customs and practices,
•Often built by the users themselves,
• Representing a far less degree of specialization
•The structures made by empirical builders without the
intervention of professional architects.
•They have emerged out of hard necessities, hard work and
hard lives.
•Construction methodology that natives employ to build
shelters

using locally prevalent resources and conditions.
TYPES OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
•Rural
•Urban
•Commercial
•Hill
•Indian vernacular architecture
•Kachcha
•Pukka
•Semi-pukka
HILL ARCHITECTURE
SITES IN INDIA
Jammu and Kashmir – Amarnath, Leh, Ladakh, Shrinagar, Gulmarg, Pahelgam, Rajori, Patnitop
, Dah And Hanu, Aru, Kishtwar, Sonmarg, Kishtwar
Himachal Pradesh - Kullu Valley, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Chamba, Kangra, Khajjiar, Kinnaur,
Mandi, Chail, Dalhousie, Dharamsala , Kasauli, Shimla. UNA, LAHAUL VALLEY, HAMIRPUR,
BILASPUR, Solan, KINNAUR, SIRMAUR
Uttrakhand - Abbott Mount Almora Auli Bhimtal Bhowali Binsar Chakrata Chamba Champawat
Chaukori Chopta Dhanaulti Dharchula Didihat Dwarahat Gwaldam Harsil Jeolikot Kanatal Kausani
Khirsu Lansdowne Lohaghat Mukteshwar Munsiyari Mussoorie Nainital Naukuchiatal Pangot Pauri
Garhwal Pithoragarh Ramgarh Ranikhet Sattal Srinagar Tehri Garhwal Ukhimath Uttarkashi
Sikkim - Gangtok, RAVANGLA At the base of Maenam Hill, Pelling, Rinchenpong, Tendong Hill,
Nagaland – Kohima
Manipur – Imphal
Rajasthan- Mount Abu
Gujarat – Saputara
Maharashtra – Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Khandala
Andhra Praadesh – Horsey Hills
TamilNadu – Ooty, Kodaikanal
Kerela – Ponmudi, Peermadam Munnar, Dailkumam, Wayanad
SETTLEMENT
• Along River
side and
agriculture land
• In cluster of 2025
• Along the
contours
• South facing
Construction
is complicated due to :
• Difficulty of getting suitable orientation on the hill slopes.
• Problems of soil erosion and land slides.
• Restrictions by the forest department.( ban on cutting of the
trees).
• Existence of tall shady trees and dense forest area, which
obstruct the winter sun required for the buildings.
• Limitations on the height of the building due to earthquake
risk.
• High cost involved in the site development due to the cutting
and the filling process.
• Non-availability and transportation problems of construction
Style Variation
• the regions, comprising the Kullu valley, Satluj valley
and the Ravi valley, a great commonality ofstyles
exists.
• In the Satluj valley region, the typical house consists
of stone and timber walls, constructed in what is
known as Kath-Kona style, an indigenous style of
construction, in which the walls are made with
alternate courses of dry stone masonry and timber
without any cementing mortar.
Style Variation
• Ravi valley, the walls of the traditional houses are
built mostly with the dried masonry, without using
any alternate layers of timber. These walls are
plastered with mud both from inside and the outside
• In

some parts of Himachal Pradesh, there is a popular use
of the Dhajji wall construction. In this construction system,
the walls are made of timber frames with in-fills of light thin
panels made by close packaging of mud mortar, stone and
ballast. The traditional Dhajji wall (framed wall)
Planning
• Consists of two rooms.
• One on top of another and is built with mud,
stone and timber.
• Usually the ground floor is used for keeping
cattle and storing grain and fodder.
• The upper floor is the main living area
STRUCTURE
• Load Bearing
• Bhattar Wall ( Bhattar
Means Filling of Stone or
Brick)
• Kath Kundi or Kona (Kath
means wood and Kona
means corner)
• Taq Construction
• Without cement mortar

A typical Taq Wooden Frame
FOUNDATION
• Stone Foundation
• In past Reinforcement of
timber Beam and It was
dry.
• Now Reinforcement of
R.C.C. Beam it is With
cement mortar
WALLS
• Beams (bhatar) in the walls act as ‘seismic
bands’.(Himachal comes under Earthquake Zone – 4 & 5)
• All walls are connected to each other through
stone masonry and timber beams.
ROOF
Sloping - Wooden

• Protects Dead load by
falling down snow.
• Projects less load to the
base structure of
bhattar
• Roof frame binds all
walls together
OPENINGS
• Small ( Max 3’0” wide)
• Height ( Max 6’0”)
• a bigger window, the
beams go through the
window.
FLOORING AND FLOOR
• Wooden Structure for I floor.
Materials and it’s significance
• Mud - easy availability, good insulation and the good
binding properties
• Wood - the forests of the deodar wood and other
mixed forests were easily available. Wood is used to

impart stability to tall structures.
• Stone – remains in use but its usage is
restricted to the plinth to give strength.
Himachal has a rich heritage of handicrafts. These include
woolen and pashmina shawls, carpets, silver and metal ware
KASHMIR VALLEY
KASHMIR VALLEY
Settlement

Permanent
Dhajji House

Semi permanent
Donga( House Boat)

Temporary
Kacchi Huts
Permanent Structure

Dhajji House
Dhajji Walls
Load Bearing Structure
‘Dhajj’ means ‘patchwork quilt’
A Dhajji house is a patchwork of timber
and stone
Why is a Dhajji wall strong?
• In a usual house,
an earthquake first
makes:
• ONE BIG crack,
• then TWO BIG
cracks,
• then the walls fall
out

In big panels, the energy is
concentrated
Small panels distribute the energy evenly

•
•
•
•

In a Dhajji house, there are:
many SMALL cracks,
and only small parts fall out.
BUT THE WALLS REMAIN!
Friction breaks down the energy
Friction breaks down the energy
•When a frame is
deformed, the
stones of the infill
have to move
away.
•When the stones
and the boards
have to move, they
rasp against each
other.
• This friction
dissipates energy
Only a solid frame can contain the energy

• An earthquake will put the frame under great
stress.
• Take care to make:
• Good joints
• Good protection from water
A Dhajji wall is strong because:
• The small panels distribute the earthquake
energy evenly.
• The friction between all the small elements
and their in-fills breaks down the energy.
• There may be a lot of small cracks which are
not dangerous.
• But large destructive cracks become very rare.
Stone Foundations
Dasa (plinth beam)
•Anchoring the Dasa
to the foundation
• Protecting the
Dasa against water
and insects
Wall Finish
Mud Plaster - Cow dung Plaster - Whitewash

• No cement Mortar
• Keeps Atmosphere
Warm
• Does not get much
affected from earth
quake
Sloping Roof
Roof Tile – CGI Sheets

• Roof is slopping to fall down snow.
• Structures are wooden with excellent joinery to
bear excessive snowfall and load.
OPENINGS
• Less openings
• Maximum 3’0” opening
span
• Mainly in south and Southwest Directions
FLOORING
Mud – Wooden - Carpet
• Keeps atmosphere
warm
• Locally available
• Cheap in the Locality
Curtains and upholstery
• Thick
• Dark coloured
• Silk and Woolen
Temporary

House Boat
( Donga)
HOUSE BOAT
Donga
• Well planned
• Fully Wooden
• Delicate Kashmiri
Wooden carving
• Modern Resources
• Streamlined body
LADAKH
LADAKH
Settlement

Permanent
3.5%

Semi
Permanent
38.3%

Temporary
56.5%
WALLS
• Sun dried mud bricks
• Rammed earth Panel
• Not perpendicular from ground

•Retain temperature
•Less affected by
earthquake
WALL FINISH
Mud Plastered -Lime washed
• Creates Germ free
atmosphere
• Retain temperature
ROOF
Flat Wooden - Mud Finish

• Flat due to less precipitation
• Insulation from cold
• To dry vegetables and Fruits for cold season
OPENINGS
•
•
•
•

Highly Decorated
Small in Size
Painted in Bright Colors
Mostly in South and South- East
Directions
FURNITUTRE
• Wooden
• Minimal
• Highly Decorated Kitchen
TEMPORARY
MATERIALS
• Black hair of
matured yaks
• Wooden Poles
Planning
Bamboo Support
Religious
Flag

G.L.

•
•
•
•

L x W - As per Family Size
Height 6’0” or above
Having Ventilation for chullah
Having stone toilet out of Rebo called lekha.
QUALITY
• Adverse climatic
condition – No wear and
tear
• May last for 20-25 years
• Effectively withstand
heavy snowfall, rainfall
and wind without
allowing any leakage or
seepage.
• Does not allow
temperature change
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
•This type of architecture is the most widespread way to
build,
•At least 90 percent of the world‟s architecture is
vernacular indeed.
•Vernacular architecture proves immensely helpful at times
of disaster. When the displaced people are given back
homes akin to their vernacular traditions, they recover
better from the traumatic experiences.
•Numerous modern architects have intensively studied
vernacular architecture and claim to have drawn a good
deal of inspiration from it. They have found innovative
ways of incorporating them into human dwellings that are
"environmentally clean" and "spiritually healthy.”
• With growing interest in earth-friendly building
construction techniques, architects are relearning
various practical aspects of infusing modern
technologies with bygone traditions and cultures.
They are actively building upon the knowledge of
our grandparents to build homes that would
secure our children’s futures. This is the so called
“SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE” or “GREEN
ARCHITECTURE”.
.
104875110 vernacular-architecture-of-hills-india-130926123709-phpapp02

104875110 vernacular-architecture-of-hills-india-130926123709-phpapp02

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
    • The termvernacular is derived from the Latin vernaculus, meaning "domestic, native, indigenous"; from verna, meaning "native slave" or "home-born slave". Hence it means ‘native science of building’.
  • 4.
    • The term"vernacular architecture" in general refers to the informal building of structures through traditional building methods by local builders without using the services of a professional architect. It is the most widespread form of building.
  • 5.
    Vernacular architecture stemsfrom the belief that architecture is a balanced combination of • logical knowledge, • divine inspiration and • common sense.
  • 6.
    •Vernacular architecture, asthe term, refers to the construction methodology that natives employ to build shelters using locally prevalent resources and conditions.
  • 7.
    The term "vernaculararchitecture" in general refers to the informal building of structures through traditional building methods by local builders without using the services of a professional architect. It is the most widespread form of building.
  • 8.
    SYNONYMOUS TERMS •ancestral ortraditional architecture •primitive or aboriginal architecture •indigenous architecture •folk, popular, or rural architecture •ethnic architecture or ethno-architecture • informal architecture •the so-called "anonymous architecture" or "architecture without architects;" •“non-pedigree” architecture •eco-friendly architecture
  • 9.
    SOME FAMOUS WORDSON VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE BY SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE “It is the architecture of the people, and by the people, but not for the people.” PAUL OLIVER defines in his book „Dwellings,‟
  • 10.
    “It is abuilding designed by an amateur without any training in design………… The function of the building would be the dominant factor, aesthetic considerations, though present to some small degree, being quite minimal…………… Local materials would be used as a matter of course, other materials being chosen and imported quite exceptionally” RONALD BRUNSKILL
  • 11.
    "Folk building growingin response to actual needs, fitted into environment by people who knew no better than to fit them with native feeling" FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
  • 12.
    INFLUENCES ON VERNACULARARCHITECTURE •CLIMATE- most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro climate of the area in which the building is constructed •Temperature •Precipitation •Wind speed •CULTURE •ENVIRONMENT AND MATERIALS
  • 13.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE •Dwellings and structures that are built as a product of traditional customs and practices, •Often built by the users themselves, • Representing a far less degree of specialization •The structures made by empirical builders without the intervention of professional architects. •They have emerged out of hard necessities, hard work and hard lives. •Construction methodology that natives employ to build shelters using locally prevalent resources and conditions.
  • 14.
    TYPES OF VERNACULARARCHITECTURE •Rural •Urban •Commercial •Hill •Indian vernacular architecture •Kachcha •Pukka •Semi-pukka
  • 15.
  • 17.
    Jammu and Kashmir– Amarnath, Leh, Ladakh, Shrinagar, Gulmarg, Pahelgam, Rajori, Patnitop , Dah And Hanu, Aru, Kishtwar, Sonmarg, Kishtwar Himachal Pradesh - Kullu Valley, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Chamba, Kangra, Khajjiar, Kinnaur, Mandi, Chail, Dalhousie, Dharamsala , Kasauli, Shimla. UNA, LAHAUL VALLEY, HAMIRPUR, BILASPUR, Solan, KINNAUR, SIRMAUR Uttrakhand - Abbott Mount Almora Auli Bhimtal Bhowali Binsar Chakrata Chamba Champawat Chaukori Chopta Dhanaulti Dharchula Didihat Dwarahat Gwaldam Harsil Jeolikot Kanatal Kausani Khirsu Lansdowne Lohaghat Mukteshwar Munsiyari Mussoorie Nainital Naukuchiatal Pangot Pauri Garhwal Pithoragarh Ramgarh Ranikhet Sattal Srinagar Tehri Garhwal Ukhimath Uttarkashi Sikkim - Gangtok, RAVANGLA At the base of Maenam Hill, Pelling, Rinchenpong, Tendong Hill, Nagaland – Kohima Manipur – Imphal Rajasthan- Mount Abu Gujarat – Saputara Maharashtra – Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Khandala Andhra Praadesh – Horsey Hills TamilNadu – Ooty, Kodaikanal Kerela – Ponmudi, Peermadam Munnar, Dailkumam, Wayanad
  • 19.
    SETTLEMENT • Along River sideand agriculture land • In cluster of 2025 • Along the contours • South facing
  • 20.
    Construction is complicated dueto : • Difficulty of getting suitable orientation on the hill slopes. • Problems of soil erosion and land slides. • Restrictions by the forest department.( ban on cutting of the trees). • Existence of tall shady trees and dense forest area, which obstruct the winter sun required for the buildings. • Limitations on the height of the building due to earthquake risk. • High cost involved in the site development due to the cutting and the filling process. • Non-availability and transportation problems of construction
  • 21.
    Style Variation • theregions, comprising the Kullu valley, Satluj valley and the Ravi valley, a great commonality ofstyles exists. • In the Satluj valley region, the typical house consists of stone and timber walls, constructed in what is known as Kath-Kona style, an indigenous style of construction, in which the walls are made with alternate courses of dry stone masonry and timber without any cementing mortar.
  • 22.
    Style Variation • Ravivalley, the walls of the traditional houses are built mostly with the dried masonry, without using any alternate layers of timber. These walls are plastered with mud both from inside and the outside • In some parts of Himachal Pradesh, there is a popular use of the Dhajji wall construction. In this construction system, the walls are made of timber frames with in-fills of light thin panels made by close packaging of mud mortar, stone and ballast. The traditional Dhajji wall (framed wall)
  • 23.
    Planning • Consists oftwo rooms. • One on top of another and is built with mud, stone and timber. • Usually the ground floor is used for keeping cattle and storing grain and fodder. • The upper floor is the main living area
  • 24.
    STRUCTURE • Load Bearing •Bhattar Wall ( Bhattar Means Filling of Stone or Brick) • Kath Kundi or Kona (Kath means wood and Kona means corner) • Taq Construction • Without cement mortar A typical Taq Wooden Frame
  • 25.
    FOUNDATION • Stone Foundation •In past Reinforcement of timber Beam and It was dry. • Now Reinforcement of R.C.C. Beam it is With cement mortar
  • 26.
    WALLS • Beams (bhatar)in the walls act as ‘seismic bands’.(Himachal comes under Earthquake Zone – 4 & 5) • All walls are connected to each other through stone masonry and timber beams.
  • 27.
    ROOF Sloping - Wooden •Protects Dead load by falling down snow. • Projects less load to the base structure of bhattar • Roof frame binds all walls together
  • 28.
    OPENINGS • Small (Max 3’0” wide) • Height ( Max 6’0”) • a bigger window, the beams go through the window.
  • 29.
    FLOORING AND FLOOR •Wooden Structure for I floor.
  • 30.
    Materials and it’ssignificance • Mud - easy availability, good insulation and the good binding properties • Wood - the forests of the deodar wood and other mixed forests were easily available. Wood is used to impart stability to tall structures. • Stone – remains in use but its usage is restricted to the plinth to give strength.
  • 31.
    Himachal has arich heritage of handicrafts. These include woolen and pashmina shawls, carpets, silver and metal ware
  • 32.
  • 33.
  • 34.
  • 35.
  • 36.
  • 37.
    A Dhajji houseis a patchwork of timber and stone
  • 38.
    Why is aDhajji wall strong? • In a usual house, an earthquake first makes: • ONE BIG crack, • then TWO BIG cracks, • then the walls fall out In big panels, the energy is concentrated
  • 39.
    Small panels distributethe energy evenly • • • • In a Dhajji house, there are: many SMALL cracks, and only small parts fall out. BUT THE WALLS REMAIN!
  • 40.
  • 41.
    Friction breaks downthe energy •When a frame is deformed, the stones of the infill have to move away. •When the stones and the boards have to move, they rasp against each other. • This friction dissipates energy
  • 42.
    Only a solidframe can contain the energy • An earthquake will put the frame under great stress. • Take care to make: • Good joints • Good protection from water
  • 43.
    A Dhajji wallis strong because: • The small panels distribute the earthquake energy evenly. • The friction between all the small elements and their in-fills breaks down the energy. • There may be a lot of small cracks which are not dangerous. • But large destructive cracks become very rare.
  • 44.
  • 45.
    Dasa (plinth beam) •Anchoringthe Dasa to the foundation • Protecting the Dasa against water and insects
  • 46.
    Wall Finish Mud Plaster- Cow dung Plaster - Whitewash • No cement Mortar • Keeps Atmosphere Warm • Does not get much affected from earth quake
  • 47.
    Sloping Roof Roof Tile– CGI Sheets • Roof is slopping to fall down snow. • Structures are wooden with excellent joinery to bear excessive snowfall and load.
  • 48.
    OPENINGS • Less openings •Maximum 3’0” opening span • Mainly in south and Southwest Directions
  • 49.
    FLOORING Mud – Wooden- Carpet • Keeps atmosphere warm • Locally available • Cheap in the Locality
  • 50.
    Curtains and upholstery •Thick • Dark coloured • Silk and Woolen
  • 51.
  • 52.
    HOUSE BOAT Donga • Wellplanned • Fully Wooden • Delicate Kashmiri Wooden carving • Modern Resources • Streamlined body
  • 53.
  • 54.
  • 56.
    WALLS • Sun driedmud bricks • Rammed earth Panel • Not perpendicular from ground •Retain temperature •Less affected by earthquake
  • 57.
    WALL FINISH Mud Plastered-Lime washed • Creates Germ free atmosphere • Retain temperature
  • 58.
    ROOF Flat Wooden -Mud Finish • Flat due to less precipitation • Insulation from cold • To dry vegetables and Fruits for cold season
  • 59.
    OPENINGS • • • • Highly Decorated Small inSize Painted in Bright Colors Mostly in South and South- East Directions
  • 60.
    FURNITUTRE • Wooden • Minimal •Highly Decorated Kitchen
  • 61.
  • 62.
    MATERIALS • Black hairof matured yaks • Wooden Poles
  • 63.
    Planning Bamboo Support Religious Flag G.L. • • • • L xW - As per Family Size Height 6’0” or above Having Ventilation for chullah Having stone toilet out of Rebo called lekha.
  • 64.
    QUALITY • Adverse climatic condition– No wear and tear • May last for 20-25 years • Effectively withstand heavy snowfall, rainfall and wind without allowing any leakage or seepage. • Does not allow temperature change
  • 65.
    IMPORTANCE OF STUDYINGVERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE •This type of architecture is the most widespread way to build, •At least 90 percent of the world‟s architecture is vernacular indeed. •Vernacular architecture proves immensely helpful at times of disaster. When the displaced people are given back homes akin to their vernacular traditions, they recover better from the traumatic experiences. •Numerous modern architects have intensively studied vernacular architecture and claim to have drawn a good deal of inspiration from it. They have found innovative ways of incorporating them into human dwellings that are "environmentally clean" and "spiritually healthy.”
  • 66.
    • With growinginterest in earth-friendly building construction techniques, architects are relearning various practical aspects of infusing modern technologies with bygone traditions and cultures. They are actively building upon the knowledge of our grandparents to build homes that would secure our children’s futures. This is the so called “SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE” or “GREEN ARCHITECTURE”. .