Vernacular Arch Maharashtra

Vernacular Architecture of Gondia, Maharashtra, India about:reader?url=http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/691/vernacular...
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Vernacular Architecture of Gondia,

Maharashtra, India
7-8 minutes
Traditional Dwelling Study of a House in Gondia, Maharashtra
INTRODUCTION
Gondia district (almost on Maharashtra and MP border) is located

near Nagpur in Mahrashtra.
The traditional dwellings situated there, are typical for that region.
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The houses varied from small single storied mud structures to three
or even more, in similar pattern.
This is a study of a three storied haveli belonging to a zamindar.
But unfortunately the front courtyard was a mere shadow of its

original form.
So, the information gathered here is a combination of a couple of

other similar structures.
So the main building of the original haveli is combined to the

courtyard and livestock-shelters of the second, completing the
original traditional dwelling as it would have had been.
BASIC HOUSE FORM
Spaces are arranged about a central space which is the main

bedroom.
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The plan is a rough 7x7 grid.
The wall thicknesses vary from 1m and downwards.
ELEVATION
A stepped pyramidal structure with sloping roofs.
No open terrace and minimal openings.
AN ISOMETRIC VIEW OF THE DWELLING COMPOUND
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SECTIONAL PLAN SHOWING THE ZONING INSIDE HAVELI
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VILLAGE GATHERINGS
Gatherings of males of the village happened daily in the evenings

after the days work.
Sometimes small scale social functions also happen here.
This activity is completely public and thus no privacy is required.
1. Front verandah for minor and personal gatherings
2. A large courtyard suitable for holding mini functions
3. Seating outside the main gate.
LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
The managementof the livestock is mainly carried out by the

servants, throughout the day.
It is a combination of different activities like cleaning, milking,

feeding, etc.
Cleaning of the shelters is done eveyday.
The 1st floor of the shelters is used for storing the fodder for the
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livestock. An years supply is stored at one go.
1. Use of courtyard for livestock management.
2. Storage on 1st floor, replenished each year.
STORAGE
The whole built form has more combined space for storages than
any other purposes.
This is mainly because the amindar/ tehsildar the whole harvest
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produced on their land is stored in the haveli.
Further there is a large collection of livestock, and storage is

required for their fodder as well.
Also an emergency food storage is kept for the family members.
SLEEPING
Sleeping was the activity done in the central room.
The zamindar slept in both in the afternoon and night.
It is a space where outsiders are not allowed.
Adjacent side storage is used for storing the bedding whenever not
in use.
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CLIMATE
The building seems to be built keeping in mind all the seasons.
Though it is best suited for summers.
The upper floors act as false ceiling.
The side passage rooms act as wind channels.
Absence of openings reduces the heat exchange to the minimum.
The roof extends almost a meter beyond the walls, probably to

protect the heavy rainwater from soaking the walls.
As well as to provide shade from the sun and prevent heating up of

the building.
Front courtyard faces the north, preventing direct solar rays on the
most used part.
The rear verandah can be used much more in winter due to suns
southern inclination.
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SPECIFIC FEATURES KEEPING IN MIND THE CLIMATIC

CONDITIONS
To resist heat gain

Increase of thermal resistance and capacity by maximizing the
building depth.(The thick walls increase the time lag)
Increase of buffer spaces
(Low utility areas like verandahs, courtyards, storages, etc.)
Low utility upper floors act as false ceilings.
Light colouring to minimize heat absorbtion by the walls.
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Promote heat loss
Vegetation outside to decrease glare
Others
Overhanging roof to the north and south to provide protection from
sun and rain and glare from the bright overcast sky
Planting and layout provide protection from hot dry and cold winds
Walls to provide some shade to external spaces
Main habitable rooms facing north and south
Main openings to the north and south
Dwellings facing onto fairly generously proportional courtyards
LOCATION & BUILDING MATERIALS
Setting
The haveli is a structure with the entrance facing the north.
A haveli is built in the centre of the land owned by a zamindar. This

is about 100 acre.
Other dwellings come up nearby adjacent to the haveli of the other

villagers.
Building Materials
Building materials are completely local:
Framework is done by teakwood found in the jungles nearby.
Wherever stone is used, (most importantly as a plinth) is local

stone. Grey granite is found in the region.
Walls are made up off a mixture of mud + straw + cow dung.
The walls are coloured with lime mixed with indigo, to give a light
blue colour.
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The tiles used on the roof are burnt clay tiles
1. Timber framework
2. Light blue color of the walls
3. Mud walls
TRADITION AND BELIEFS
Short heights of the door

The doors throughout the haveli are less than 6ft in height.
The main entry to the central room being almost 1.5m.
This is to make sure that each person entering a room bends in

respect .
The big main entrance

Oppositely the main entrance to the haveli is almost 3m x 3m.
This is because the gate is supposed to have an inviting and open

look.
Secluded puja room

The room is supposed to be very sacred and only the upper caste
people are allowed to enter it.
The pooja room is the most innermost room linked to the central
room.
It is a place where only the family members and priests are

allowed.
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Sometimes poojas and even mini havans are conducted without

anybody outside getting the whiff of it.
Secluded area for women

The womenfolk were not allowed to come out in open in front of
everybody.
They were restricted to the backside of the haveli basically the

kitchen and the rear verandah.
DWELLING FORM AS STATUS & POSITION SYMBOL
TOWERING STRUCTURE
As one approaches the village the 2nd floor of the haveli is seen
towering on top of other single and double storeyed structures.
Though built as an outpost for watching the estate the 2nd floor
works rather as an identitifcation mark.
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COURTYARD SIZE
Courtyard of the haveli is much larger than any other in the village
measuring almost 17m x15m, making it an ideal spot for social
functions.
GRAND ENTRANCE
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Though entries to all residences in the village are big, the main gate
to a haveli is the largest measuring about 3m x 3m and outer walls
being 5m tall.
BUILDING MATERIALS USED
The haveli has a comlete timber framework, about which the walls
are formed. Teakwood is the only wood used in the haveli.
It is een that use of timber decreases as one moves from rich to

poor.
Poorer people are seen to have houses built only with mud.
ORNAMENTATIONS
Maximum decorations found in the haveli are in the front verandah

inthe columns and doors. These is most importantly to show off.
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Vernacular Architecture of Gondia, Maharashtra, India about:reader?url=http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/691/vernacular...

Vernacular Architecture of Gondia,

Traditional Dwelling Study of a House in Gondia, Maharashtra

Gondia district (almost on Maharashtra and MP border) is located

This is a study of a three storied haveli belonging to a zamindar.

But unfortunately the front courtyard was a mere shadow of its

So, the information gathered here is a combination of a couple of

So the main building of the original haveli is combined to the

BASIC HOUSE FORM

Spaces are arranged about a central space which is the main

The plan is a rough 7x7 grid.

The wall thicknesses vary from 1m and downwards.

A stepped pyramidal structure with sloping roofs.

No open terrace and minimal openings.

AN ISOMETRIC VIEW OF THE DWELLING COMPOUND

SECTIONAL PLAN SHOWING THE ZONING INSIDE HAVELI

Gatherings of males of the village happened daily in the evenings

Sometimes small scale social functions also happen here.

This activity is completely public and thus no privacy is required.

1. Front verandah for minor and personal gatherings

2. A large courtyard suitable for holding mini functions

3. Seating outside the main gate.

The managementof the livestock is mainly carried out by the

It is a combination of different activities like cleaning, milking,

Cleaning of the shelters is done eveyday.

livestock. An years supply is stored at one go.

1. Use of courtyard for livestock management.

2. Storage on 1st floor, replenished each year.

This is mainly because the amindar/ tehsildar the whole harvest

produced on their land is stored in the haveli.

Further there is a large collection of livestock, and storage is

Also an emergency food storage is kept for the family members.

Sleeping was the activity done in the central room.

The zamindar slept in both in the afternoon and night.

It is a space where outsiders are not allowed.

The building seems to be built keeping in mind all the seasons.

Though it is best suited for summers.

The upper floors act as false ceiling.

The side passage rooms act as wind channels.

Absence of openings reduces the heat exchange to the minimum.

The roof extends almost a meter beyond the walls, probably to

As well as to provide shade from the sun and prevent heating up of

SPECIFIC FEATURES KEEPING IN MIND THE CLIMATIC

To resist heat gain

Increase of buffer spaces

(Low utility areas like verandahs, courtyards, storages, etc.)

Low utility upper floors act as false ceilings.

Light colouring to minimize heat absorbtion by the walls.

Promote heat loss

Vegetation outside to decrease glare

Walls to provide some shade to external spaces

Main habitable rooms facing north and south

Main openings to the north and south

Dwellings facing onto fairly generously proportional courtyards

LOCATION & BUILDING MATERIALS

A haveli is built in the centre of the land owned by a zamindar. This

Other dwellings come up nearby adjacent to the haveli of the other

Wherever stone is used, (most importantly as a plinth) is local

Walls are made up off a mixture of mud + straw + cow dung.

The tiles used on the roof are burnt clay tiles

2. Light blue color of the walls

TRADITION AND BELIEFS

Short heights of the door

The main entry to the central room being almost 1.5m.