Article by EIH Subject Matter Expert
Dr. Sonika Sandhu
With increasing awareness and concerns towards global climate and environment, it becomes important that we look for a sustainable building culture and architecture. Building and structures should not only be energy efficient but should be made from locally sourced and environment friendly materials such as bamboo, natural stone, hemp etc. Out of these raw materials soil has formed an important one, as more and more architects are looking into the traditional usage of soil. Of how to make bricks, mortar, plastering etc. Sustainable architecture advocates for living more closely and in harmony with nature.
Sustainable living and structures are not a new concept and societies around the world have made and resided in them. The Native Americans of North America dug dwellings into the ground in the fall of every year. They covered the opening with tree trunks, grass and soil. A hole in the roof provided the necessary lighting and ventilation. The mound houses are different from this type of building. These are houses that are constructed above ground and then are covered with soil. The Vikings provided the model for this.
Today earth houses are making a comeback. The structures, designed to use natural light and produce natural cooling, are built with local natural resources such as bamboo, limestone, clay, cow dung, stones and straw by local artisans — reducing the carbon footprint to almost nil. Even in India this trend is catching on and many organisations are actively involved in building such structures. Some examples are Thannal and Vasthukam in Kerala, Made in Earth in Bengaluru, Auroville Earth Institute in Auroville — and architects such as Dharamshala-based Didi Contractor, Chennai-based Benny Kuriakose, Kerala-based Eugene Pandala and Goa-based Gerard da Cunha are spearheading the movement, which was arguably kickstarted by the legendary Laurie Baker in the 1960s.
The various types of earth houses are:
- Adobe: Soil and water are blended to the consistency of a cake mix, and cast into moulds. Once the bricks are firm, they are dried in the sun. These are then used in the buildings
- Cobe: Straw, soil, and, often, gravel, are mixed to form cob, which is used to form a wall of any shape
- Wattle and daub: Fine sticks or reeds such as bamboo are woven and the daub or mud is applied on it to build a wall
Besides these earth house, Mound houses are considered to be extremely environment friendly and energy efficient. The natural soil layer protects the building from the cold and other undesirable environmental influences, even from strong storms. In the event of possible earthquakes, the dome construction in conjunction with the mesh reinforcement have major structural advantages. Residents of such houses also appreciate the pleasant, balanced room climate. By plastering the inner walls with clay, the interior has a healthy humidity of about 50 percent. Drafts, which are avoided with a lot of technology in conventional buildings, are not a problem in earth houses. This also keeps allergens and other pollutants in the air outside. Another interesting aspect of earth houses is that they solve a demographic problem as they reduce the area of consumption, as the roof can be used as a garden.
TRADITIONAL HOMES IN INDIA:
India has an old and extensive architecture tradition which requires special skills and expertise and know how. The diversity of nature and culture in India has made it impossible to define Indian pre- modern and early modern architecture as a single solid cultural entity
Some common vernacular home traditions are:
- Veedu houses in Kerala:
These are the traditional houses of Kerala. These are designed keeping the joint family system in mind. There is heavy use of wood, stone and clay. Another feature was the number of kettus – whether a nalukettu, that is a four-block structure or an ettukettu which was an eight-block structure or a pathinarukettu which is a sixteen-block structure. Other notable features are padippura that is roofed entrance, poomukham or the verandah entrance, chuttu verandah. A charupadi is an entrance where one can sit and relax with an outside view. Each of these traditional houses have an ambal kulam or a pond. Within the house the courtyard would be in the middle, where scared plants are planted.
- Havelis of Rajasthan:
It consists of a blend of Mughal and Hindu features and elements. The havelis of Rajasthan are embellished with Jharokhas, Chattris, Baodis, Johads and Jaalis. Haveli is Persian translates to enclosed spaces. The nucleus of havelis are the courtyards divided into separate areas of men and women. The Mardana and Zenana. The courtyards are lit well, airy and give an effective ventilation in hot and dry climates. The commonly used building material are bricks, sandstone, marbles, wood, plaster and granite. The external façade of the havelis are well articulated and engraved with carvings and sculptures. These are not just for design but also reduce the heat gain of the building. Jharokas and balconies induce airy spaces besides providing elevation. Havelis were planed linearly along the road and longer. Havelis are multi-storeyed and are developed as per family size. Extravagant havelis also had basements and cellars.
- Bhungas of Kutch:
These are the traditional homes of the Kutch. Kutch literally means wet and dry therefore the homes are also designed accordingly. This region is also highly prone to earth quakes and seismic activities and falls in zone 5 of the earthquake zone of India. The houses are circular with thatched roofs They are known for their structural stability in earthquakes and for being climate responsive. This assembly of circular walls and conical roof also protects against cyclonic winds. The building material is sourced locally: soft stone is chiselled for blocks, soil for mortar, bamboo and straw for roofs. These houses take about a month to make. Each structure is independent and no sharing of walls between adjacent homes.
- Agraharam houses of Tamil Nadu:
The houses is laid out in a garland form, these houses are laid side by side till the entrance of the temple. The homes are made of locally available materials.
- Ikra houses of Assam:
These houses are designed to withstand earthquakes and seismic activities. They are made from lightweight materials and are generally only one story high. Commonly used materials are bamboo, timber, metal sheets, thatch and even reeds. In fact, the name for these Assam-type houses, Ikra, derives from the reeds used in the walls. This method has been in practice for over two centuries now, with modern implements added along the way to create the charming houses the state is known.
- Punjab:
The houses of this state are composed of baked bricks. The traditional plan is the courtyard with small flower beds and orchards in the centre, a cattle pen is also accommodated in such homes. The Baithak lies in the centre of the home and all other rooms are placed laterally to it. The Veranda runs all along the house and most socializing and zenana activity takes place here.
- Bungalows of Kolkata:
These resemble the one story villas of Europe. They have a wide verandah with Corinthian columns all along. Again the central feature was the aangals and courtyards, along one side of the courtyard is the puja mandap and sacred plants are placed centrally. Next to this is the women’s pavilion. The bedrooms are set along the opposite side of this courtyard with zenana.
Thus age old techniques and wisdom of living with nature is again and appreciating the complex art of building with local is in vogue today. A small but an important step towards saving our planet.
