TKM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KOLLAM

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
DELIVERY PLAN
08AR1806 Elective I
2. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
Contact hours: 3hrs/week
NAME

DESIGNATION

YEAR

Prof. Subhash Varma

Assistant Professor

2014-15

SEMESTER
DURATION

03.12.2014
TO
27.03.2015

Course Objective:
1. To make each student aware that architecture is value based.
2. To make each student understand the primary lessons of sustainable architecture.
3. To make each student think about the need for practicing architecture with a view
that no over exploitation of resources is done.
COURSE DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Mode of presentation: PPT [The subject can only be taught with the help of visual images].
SL.
NO

PROPOSED
DATE

TOPICS

DAY

NO OF
HOURS

M1
M1
M1

Introduction. [Broad definition]

04.12.14
THU
1
Etymology. Definitions.
09.12.14
TUE
1
Vernacular and the architect. Regional influences 09.12.14
TUE
1
on vernacular Architecture.
M1 Humanitarian response.
11.12.14
THU
1
M1 Urban and rural vernacular architecture.
16.12.14
TUE
1
M1 Role of sustainability in vernacular architecture.
16.12.14
TUE
1
M1 Environment & Resource Management
18.12.14
THU
1
ASSIGNMENT 1 Study/ Documentation to be done during Christmas Holidays
M1 Group Discussion [Discussion for organizing the matter 30.12.14
TUE
1

VENUE/
MODE

SC/ LEC
SC/PPT
SC/PPT
SC/PPT
SC/PPT
SC/PPT
SC/PPT
SC/ DIS

for Assignment 1].

M2

M2
M2
M2
M2

Building materials and traditions, Vernacular 30.12.14

building materials- Recognize the different ways
in which these materials were used at different
times and in different parts of the country.
-DODocumenting vernacular traditions and knowledge
systems.
-DOGroup Discussion [Discussion for consolidating the

TUE

1
1
1
1

aspects taught previously].

HOLIDAY
Multimedia Presentation of Assignment 1.
[Submission of CD of all presentations put together]
-DO-DO-DO-DOSERIES TEST 1
SERIES TEST 1
SERIES TEST 1
1

1
1
1
1
1

SC/PPT

SC/
LEC+PPT
SC/ DIS

M3

M3
M3
M3
M3
M3
M4

M4
M4
M4
M4
M4
M4
M4

SC/
LEC+PPT

Recording vernacular buildings - Why record

buildings? Recording basics (measuring and
recording historic buildings)
-DO-DO-

Drawing up. Conventions and equipments.

Documentary sources and what they can tell us.
Briefing for recording day(s). Recording the
chosen building(s) Reviewing the results.
Role of photography in documenting vernacular
buildings.
Vernacular Towns evolution process, character,
morphology, growth and decay. Case studies of
Vernacular towns within Kerala
-DO-DO-DO-DOHOLIDAY
Knowledge of vernacular architecture in
contemporary regional designs.
-DOTraditionalism and Vernacular.

SC/
LEC+PPT

SC/
LEC+PPT

SC/
LEC+PPT

SC/
LEC+PPT

1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

SC/
LEC+PPT
SC/
LEC+PPT

Presentation of Assignment 2.
1
[Submission of CD & Report of all presentations ]
-DO1
-DO1
SERIES TEST 2
SERIES TEST 2
SERIES TEST 2
SC/ DIS
Group Discussion
1
SC/ DIS
Group Discussion
1
SC/ DIS
Group Discussion
1
Course Outcome:
At the end of the course student shall be able to make positive changes in his attitudes
towards architecture; he shall perceive it as an action which touches the earth lightly.
ASSIGNMENT 1 [7.5 Marks]
Students of 8th semester architecture are required to make a DOCUMENTRY of not more
than 10 minutes of duration.
Step 1: Each student shall identify vernacular building which is still in use. The choice of
one shall not coincide with the choice of others.
Step 2: The choice shall be intimated to the faculty at the earliest for approval. A brief
synopsis shall be submitted for this on or before 11.12.14.
Step 3: Documenting the case study with focus on the following aspects; namely
1. Regional influences.
2. Planning Vernacular.
3. Vernacular Building Materials.
Each student shall be able to highlight characteristics, strength, durability, use and method
of application of any one of the materials listed below, in their study.
2

Sl.no.
Choice of Material
Roll number of students
1
STONE
8001 8009 8017 8025 8033
2
BRICK
8002 8010 8018 8026 8034
3
TIMBER
8003 8011 8019 8027 8035
4
MUD &MORTAR
8004 8012 8020 8028 8036
5
CERAMIC
8005 8013 8021 8029 8037
6
BAMBOO
8006 8014 8022 8030 8038
7
METAL
8007 8015 8023 8031
8
GRASS,HAY & THACH
8008 8016 8024 8032
DATE OF RELEASE WILL BE 15.01.2015
Note: The students are required to adhere to Vernacular contexts for preparing the content
and for choosing case study.
ASSIGNMENT 2 [5 Marks]
Students of 8th semester architecture are required to prepare a REPORT based on
recording vernacular and which is indented to be published in an International Magazine.
Step 1: Each student shall identify a household in a vernacular town. The choice of one
shall not coincide with the choice of others.
Step 2: The choice shall be intimated to the faculty for approval. A brief synopsis shall be
submitted for this on or before 03.02.15.
Step 3: Study the context, its evolution and change over times. Record the activities [of a
day] of the head of the family/ senior member [preferably a senior citizen] of the household
you have selected. Observe how the meaning and use of spaces have changed over time.
Step 4: Report preparation, submission and presentations. Sketches and photographs
shall be included. Submission shall be done in A4 format. Boarder shall be left as
described below.
Left
: 3.0 cm
Bottom and Right : 2.0 cm
Top
: 2.5 cm
The font shall be Arial Narrow 12pt for titles and text.
The same shall be presented as slide show.
DATE OF SUBMISSION/PRESENTATION WILL BE 10.03.2014
Note: The students are required to adhere to Vernacular contexts for preparing the content
and for choosing case study.

08AR1806 Elective I 2. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

L-T-P: 3-0-0 Credits 3
Module 1
Etymology, Definitions, Vernacular and the architect, Regional influences on vernacular
Architecture, Humanitarian response, Urban and rural vernacular architecture, role of
sustainability in vernacular architecture, Environment & Resource Management
Module - II
Building materials and traditions, Vernacular building materials- Recognize the different
ways in which these materials were used at different times and in different parts of the
country, Documenting vernacular traditions, knowledge systems, Assess the likely sources
of stylistic and decorative features of vernacular buildings and employ these to assist in
dating analyzing their role and application in the present context.
Module -III
Recording vernacular buildings- Why record buildings? Recording basics (measuring and
recording historic buildings) Drawing up; conventions and equipment Documentary
sources and what they can tell us Briefing for recording day(s) Recording the chosen
building(s) Reviewing the results; and role of photography in documenting vernacular
buildings.
Module - 4
Vernacular Towns evolution process , character, morphology, growth and decay. Case
studies of Vernacular towns within Kerala. Knowledge of vernacular architecture in
contemporary regional designs. Traditionalism and Vernacular.
References
1. Heath, Kingston wm- Vernacular Architecture and Regional design- Cultural process and
environmental response- Elsevier science and technology- 30 April 2007
2. Henry H. Glassie- Vernacular architecture- Pan books, London- 1966
3. Lindsay Asquith, Marcel Vellinga, Taylor and Francis- Vernacular architecture in the twenty first
century- 2006 USA.
University Examination Pattern
Q1
8 short type questions of 5 marks, two from each module
QII
2 questions A and B of 15 marks of Module I with choice to answer any one
QIII
2 questions A and B of 15 marks of Module II with choice to answer any one
QIV
2 questions A and B of 15 marks of Module III with choice to answer any one
QV
2 questions A and B of 15 marks of Module IV with choice to answer any one