Expression of Climate Responsive Features of the Traditional

Built Heritage of Rajasthan in Contemporary Architecture

Shaik Mahammed Azaruddin

M.Arch, Dept. of Architecture and Planning,
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.

Abstract
Innovation is deeply rooted in tradition. People in reaction to their environment create spaces and places. If we
understand what old buildings are saying to us, we would be less eager to rip them down, and perhaps might even apply
them in our new buildings. Therefore, it is necessary to learn from the past to create better futures.
Traditional Architecture of Rajasthan is characterized by compact high density planning, enclosing open space within
buildings, massive construction, small openings, water conservation, shaded outdoor spaces, varied visual elements and
a strong architectural vocabulary. Though these principles made it possible for people to survive in the desert, not all of
these concepts are relevant today. The article begins by understanding the efficient use of passive design strategies in the
indigenous buildings of Rajasthan. In addition, the article also reviews the Climate Responsiveness of the built heritage
of Rajasthan and discusses its applications in Contemporary Architecture.
Keywords: Rajasthan Heritage, Passive Design, Indigenous Architecture, Climate Responsiveness, Contemporary Architecture

1 Introduction 2.1 Havelis of Rajasthan

Architecture is the most reflecting evidence of Human
Culture. Passing of culture to the next generation can be
through Architectural vocabulary. Innovation, new
forms, and new solutions to new problems, further forms
the basis of next innovation. Modern approaches through
computer modelling and application of lessons learned
from the past experiences can achieve significant energy
savings and reduction of environmental damage, without
sacrificing functionality or aesthetics. In fact, passively
designed indigenous buildings in response to the basic
needs, can greatly enhance the livability, daylight, views
and value of a space.
2 Traditional Heritage of Rajasthan
The Rajasthan architecture is significantly depend on
Rajput architecture school which was mixture of mughal
and Hindu structural design. Grand havelis, astonishing
forts and elaborately carved temples are the vital portion
of architectural heritage of Rajasthan. Rajputs carries
the credit of creative builders. Few of most striking and
splendid forts along with palaces with parched Aravali
land clearly depicts history of Rajasthans celebrated
heritage.
The artistic builders of Rajput designed major
architectural styles which are located in cities like
Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Haveli word is derived from a Persian word Hawli
which means an enclosed place. The Havelis of Rajasthan
carry architecture of Mughal in their style. They vary in their
typical layput depending on the users - Rajpurohits and
Brahmin Ministers, the Marwaris and the Rajputs. (Jain,
2004)
2.1.1 The Brahmin Caste
The Brahmins havelis are of two kinds - The first kind
belongs to the Rajpurohits. And there are The Brahmin
Ministers.
Typical Layout of the Rajpurohit Havelis
Rajpurohit Havelis often have a square court and the
entrance is located on the North or East direction. They are
usually single or double courtyard havelis. Most of the
Brahmin Havelis have direct entrances opening straight into
the courtyard. In rare cases, these would be multi court
havelis like Purohits Haveli in Ganesh Ghatti, Udaipur. This
is one of the grandest examples of a Brahmin havelis. The
haveli has a magnificent entrance gate and a distinct chatri
in the inner complex. Ganesh Gatti is located at the highest
point in Udaipur city. It was a rule in Udaipur that no Haveli
could be higher than the palace, but the chatri of Purohits
Haveli is at the same height as the palace. This can be noted
as another architectural demarcation of the social hierarchy
of royal Brahmins. (Jain, 2004)

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 havelis of different brothers opening into one common
place) is never found in a Rajput thakurs haveli as the
brothers always stayed apart. Some examples of these
havelis are Nachna Haveli in Jaisalmer, Pal Thakurs Haveli
in Jhodhpur, Jhala Haveli in Kota and Shekhawati Thakurs
Havelis in outskirts of old Jaipur. A Kshatriya house should
use maximum amount of stone for fortification, a practice
that is evident in the massive fortress like havelis of the
Rajputs. (Jain, 2004)
Figure 1: Plan of Haveli and Nohra of Bade Deevta inKota,
Hadoti region.

Figure 3: Plan of Nachna Thakur Haveli

2.1.3 The Hindu Merchants or Marwaris

Figure 2: Exterior view of Purohit Haveli in Udaipur, Typical features of Marwari Haveli
Mewar region showing the chatri that marks one of the highest
points in Udaipur skyline. These havelis are located at prestigious positions on the main
commercial streets of a town. The Marwaris havelis are most
Typical Features of the Havelis of Brahmin Ministers often present as fraternal clusters with a collection of single
The second kind of Brahmin havelis belong to the courtyard havelis, each belonging to one brother opening
Brahmin ministers of the rulers. into a common forecourt. Since all brothers of the family
Havelis of Brahmin ministers had more lavish facades handled the family business, it was an efficient layout. In
and could range from double to multi courtyard complexes. case of smaller families, one finds single or double courtyard
2.1.2 The Rajputs havelis. The baithak in the front portion of the Marwaris
Typical Features of the Havelis haveli served as their work space where the accountant
The Rajput Havelis are of two kinds one that belonged to would sit with his bahikhata (accounts record). The havelis
the Rajput thakurs and the other kind belonging to military are richly decorated. The facades of all Marwari havelis are
in charge and army officials. richly ornamented-whether it is jali (lattice) and stonework
These are grand palatial havelis with minimum three in Jaisalmer or paintings in Shekhawati havelis. Some of best
courtyards, an outside one for the servants and stables, examples of Marwari havelis are in Shekhawati region of
mardana for the men to receive guests and an innermost Rajasthan. (Jain, 2004)
one or the zenana for the women. The baithak or sitting
area of a Rajput haveli was usually elaborate and used for
holding meetings like a rulers durbar. These havelis had
lavish spaces comparable to the ones found in the Mughal
palaces such as Diwan-i-aam, Diwan-i-Khas and
Naqqarkhana, Rang Mahal, etc. Due to strict purdah
system, the Rajput havelis always have a direct entrance
into the mardana courtyard and an indirect entrance with a
baffle wall into the zenana courtyard. These havelis were
designed with defense in mind, hence have fewer openings
and are more fortress like as compared to others. They have Figure 4: Kothari Haveli in Udaipur, Mewar region. The
a big entrance gate called the Hat-hi pol (elephant gate) sloping roof on the left terrace reflects the earlier form of rural
clay tiles used in the roof.
meaning the kind that would allow an elephant to enter
inside. A fraternal cluster (i.e a collection of single court
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2.1.4 Comparison between the Haveli types on the
basis of Climate responsive features.
A typical town of Rajasthan presents a very compact
picture of houses and other buildings huddled together
so that they not only shade each other but also
considerably reduce the exposed open spaces around
them. The height of the building compared to the width
of the streets is large to create shaded cool environment
for the pedestrians and other social activities on the
streets. In cases where normal low level dust swirls
within the settlement the interiors of buildings are
protected by almost blank walls with very small
openings. All major streets are oriented almost in the
East-West direction at right angles to the direction of
dust storms. The famous havelis with jharokhas and
decorative facades are located on these streets. The
streets are relatively narrow and winding.
Table 1: Climate Responsive Features in the three types of
Havelis
2.2 Rural Houses of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a state steeped in culture and history.
Rajasthan, or the realm of the Kings, is one of the princely
states in India. Besides marvelous forts, palaces and
havelis, Rajasthan also treasures the major tribal locations
in India. Rajasthan is home to many tribes who have very
interesting history of origin, customs and social practices.
The state comprises of five major tribal people groups with
many other either being the branches of these major groups
or minor ones. These five tribal groups are Mina, Bhil,
Garasia, Saharia and Gadiya Lohars. (Speaks, 2008)
2.2.1 The Generic House Form
It is difficult to divide the desert region into distinct
zone and to group the house form in each zone with in
generic classification. There is persistence, yet gradually
changing character in these forms.
i. While the circular enclosed space is formed almost
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everywhere, it occurs more frequently as one moves
down from Bikaner in north to Banni in the south.
ii. Conversely, the frequency of occurrence of
courtyards increases as one moves north words.
Rectangular spaces predominate in the northern
parts of the desert.
iii. It is, therefore, more convenient to follow the
administrative boundaries for the purpose of
protection. Therefore, districts have been retained as
the sub-divisions within the desert regions.
iv. Evolving out of social physical context and due to
local acceptance of its validity over a period of time,
they have become the traditional type of habit of the
people.
v. The major contextual forces shaping these
settlements can be enumerated as climate, locally
available materials, technology and culture.
vi. In spite of variations in village, street and cluster
formation in a region, the thematic expressions
therein are most commonly dictated by the material,
construction techniques and life style.
vii. The rural settlements in Rajasthan may be clustered
and Semi-clustered settlements.
Figure 5: Houses in Jaisalmer
2.2.2 The Settlement Character of the Rural Tribes of
Rajasthan
The settlement character of these tribal groups varies.
i. Bhils -The Bhils are not gypsies. The whole of the
Bhil country which is the south-western part of
Rajasthan is mountainous, embracing the wildest
area of the Aravallis. The Bhils live in pals or
clusters of detached huts among the hills, each hut
standing on a small mound in the midst of its path
of cultivated land. The settlement or pal is divided
into a number of paras or phalas which afford cover
and protection in case of attack. A cluster of huts
within a single enclosure forms a typical Bhil
habitation in Rajasthan. (Speaks, 2008)
ii. Garasias - A Garasia settlement is not a cluster of
houses. The dwellings are scattered over slopes of
hills and mounds and the fields extend in front of
them. These solitary dwellings are made of bamboo
and leaves and are lightly plastered over with cow-
dung. (Speaks, 2008)
 3 Techniques and Tools used for
Figure 6: Plan of Roopsi Village
Figure 7: Village Courtyard and Stone Masonry Walls
iii. Meenas -The Meenas who constitute almost half
of the tribal population used to live on rocky
elevations or in thick forests and their settlements
were called Mewasas. The cluster of their houses
was also called a pal and was named after the
gotra to which most of the inhabitants belonged.
(Speaks, 2008)
Table 2: Comparison between Tribes and their Settlement
Pattern
Table 3: Comparison between Clustered and Semi Clustered
Settlements
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environmental Control
Traditional Rajasthan architecture is characterized by
compact high density planning, enclosing open space
within buildings, massive construction, small openings,
water conservation, shaded outdoor spaces, varied visual
elements and a strong architectural vocabulary. Though
these principles made it possible for people to survive in
the desert, not all of these concepts are relevant today.
(Gupta A. V., 2010)
Various techniques suggested for environmental control
in modern buildings are:
i. Shading of building surfaces from sun
ii. Damping of temperature variations by thermal
mass
iii. Selective ventilation
iv. Radiation to night sky, and
v. Evaporation of water.
Tools used in Traditional Building design are as follows:
i. Space Use
The single most powerful tool used in traditional building
design was the willingness and the ability of the users, to
organize daily activities in space and time so that not all
spaces had to be maintained at equal levels of comfort all
the time. At any given time the active use of the building
could be restricted to the areas most comfortable at that
time. In practice this meant that people would not only
take off or put on additional clothing as we do today, but
that they would physically move from a less comfortable
area of the building to a more comfortable one. At times
when the entire building became uncomfortably hot, they
would move to another building or even to the outside.
There are stepwells that were meeting and resting places
for men on hot summer afternoons.' In winter when the
wells were uncomfortably cool, the same men would meet
and rest in the open under the sun.
Figure 8: A step-well, the various pavilions were used
 as resting places in summer. the presumption being that it is possible to determine a cut-
off date at which sunlight may be allowed to enter or stay
In the rainy season the meetings and rest could take place
out of a building. The only problem is that air temperatures
in a verandah. In the Amber Fort there are many cooling
do not keep pace with the uniform movement of the sun
devices used, but there is also a garden in the middle of
from summer solstice to winter solstice. It is particularly
a lake just outside the fort, that would be used for
around the cut off dates that there are extraordinary warm
relaxation at uncomfortably hot times. People spend the
and cool periods, resulting in excessive or inadequate sun
hot summer days in the lower floors of the buildings but
penetration.
the evenings and nights are spent on the roof-top fully
exposed to the cool night sky. In winter the days are
spent on the sunny terrace whereas people move into the
house at night. (Gupta, 2004)

Figure 11: Shading of Openings and Sun Cut off

The humble traditional movable shading devicethe roll-

up bamboo screen can provide the correct shading not only
for the extraordinary weather but also for problematic East
and West orientations. (Gupta, 2004)
Figure 9: Pleasure garden built in a lake at Amber iii. Microclimate Modification
ii. Flexible Building Envelope Control Of the microclimate around the building was
The second important tool used was the ability to vary always important in indigenous design. This happened not
considerably the thermal characteristics of the skin of the only for the palaces but for simple dwellings as well.
buildings, the variations taking place according to the Dense clustering of buildings not only prevents heat gain
time of the day or according to the seasons. By this but it also keeps hot winds out while ensuring movement
device it was possible to protect the building interior of cooler air through the buildings and open areas.
from solar radiation in summer, to retain warmth or cool
as required and even to cool the building interior by
evaporation of water from the skin. The physical
mechanism required for this purpose was a framework
that defined the building exterior and within which
suitable panel elements with different thermal priorities
could be fixed at different times.

Figure 12: Town plan of Jaisalmer. The major streets are

Figure 10: Typical section through a House. To facilitate
the moment of cool air into the house, parapets are not built
Window design today consists of a fixed sun-shading
device, a louver that is supposed to cut out the sun during
summer and to allow sunlight into the building in winter,
oriented
These open spaces were either rather small and sheltered
from sun by the surrounding buildings, or when they were
larger, trees, grass and water pools protected them from
excessive heat gain. (Gupta V. , 2004)

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iv. Openings in the Building Envelope
Today we identify apertures in the building with glazed
windows, and we expect such apertures to serve a
number of functions, namely those of providing light,
ventilation and view. Having no access to glass as we
know it, the indigenous builders designed apertures to
serve one function only. A number of different apertures
combined together met the needs of light, ventilation and
view. Not having to worry about the other functions,
each of these apertures could be optimized for one
purpose, leading to a more satisfactory thermal design.
There are windows in the Amber Palace which are no
larger than 1 cm in diameter, that let in practically no
light or ventilation. And yet because the wall is thinned
out at this point, these windows can provide a view of
the outside.
Figure 13: Small window used for viewing out at Amber
Fort
An equivalent window in Amber consists of an opening
protected by stone louvers tilted towards the inside.
Frequently, large openings were filled in by "jalis"
(screens) that let in air and some light. At times these
Jalis also had a built-in shuttered opening for view.
(Gupta V. , 2004)
Figure 14: Window for view and ventilation used at Amber
Fort
v. Ventilation
Ventilation is needed for comfort and hygiene, more
air movement being needed for the former than for the
latter. Comfort ventilation is required in buildings even
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on a hot summer day when the outdoor is warmer than the
building interior. To avoid the heating of interior space it
is essential to treat the air before it enters the building.
Unlike what happens in modern buildings, a great deal of
attention was given to pre-treatment of ventilation air in
traditional buildings. Further air cooling was achieved by
passing it over wet charcoal or a fountain.3 In Jaisalmer,
the courtyard effect is used to ventilate the building, air
getting cooled as it passes over the cool shaded building
surfaces in the street. Typical Section of a house shows
how the courtyard plan regulates air movement, bringing
in fresh air only when it is cooler than the building.
Figure 15: Typical section through a house. The main building
is massive while a light-weight structure is built above it.
vi. Thermal Mass
Control of thermal mass was the sixth planning tool. The
climate of hot arid regions being characterized by large
diurnalt emperature variations, damping and time-lag were
achieved by use of massive construction in some areas
whereas other areas were deliberately kept lightweight. A
massive structure that takes time to warm up will also take
time to cool down. A light weight structure, on the other
hand, warms up and cools down quickly. The massive
structure is therefore cool in the day but warm at night.
Wind pavilions are used for the same purpose in the
havelis of Jaisalmer.
4 Applications in Contemporary
Architecture
4.1 Case 1, NIIT Neemrana Campus
Building a University Campus at Neemrana right at the edge
of Thar Desert was a huge challenge. With extreme desert
climate, dusty winds, highly eroded landscape, no water
supply, no sewerage system and no infrastructure to support,
the 100 acre site sits next to a hillock on the foothills of
Aravali midway between Delhi and Jaipur. (Gupta A. V.,
2010)
Design Objective
To use available resources to create a comfortable,
healthy and interactive educational campus.
To address off site and on site environmental issues and
develop a prototype for future developments in the
region.
 To apply the concept of environmental and economic
sustainability as the major determinants for design.
It is also a study of how buildings need to be designed
in a hot and dry region.
of about 27 degree Celsius inside the building even when the
outside temperatures are at 47 degree Celsius. The radical
architecture of the institute emerges from a fusion of the rich
traditional building knowledge bank and cutting edge
contemporary architecture. (Pearl Academy of Fashion /
Morphogenesis, 2009)

Figure 16: Master Plan of the Campus

Figure 19: Sectional View showing the Water body and the
exhibition spaces.

Figure 20: The Jaalis a Double skin, acting as a buffer

between the building and the surroundings.

Table 4: List of Climate Responsive features adopted from the

Heritage of Rajasthan and its modern Implications in
Contemporary Architecture
Figure 17: Aerial View of the Campus and the surroundings

4.2 Case 2, Pearl Academy of Fashion

The Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur is a campus
which by virtue of its design is geared towards creating an
environmentally responsive passive habitat. The institute
creates interactive spaces for a highly creative student
body to work in multifunctional zones which blend the
indoors with the outdoors seamlessly. The entire building
is raised over the ground and the resultant scooped-out
underbelly forms a natural thermal skin by way of a water
body. The water body which is fed by the recycled water
from the sewage treatment plant helps in the creation of a
microclimate through evaporative cooling. This
underbelly, which is thermally banked on all sides, serves
as a large recreation and exhibition zone.

Figure 18: effect of passive evaporative cooling

Passive environmental design helps achieve temperature

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5 Conclusion References
The day comes when architecture will be for 1. Gupta, A. V. (2010). Carving out a sustainable
function/comfort, and not merely as aesthetic element. Campus for NIIT Neemrana. Retrieved from Space
With awareness, building with mud has become an Design Consultants: http://www.space-
important factor in planning new development. Mud design.com/Upload/PR0021.pdf
depicts the true and productive link between traditions 2. Gupta, V. (2004). Indigenous Architecture and
and modernity, because of its application in the ancient Natural Cooling. Energy and Habitat.
settlements and vivid use in modern interiors. The 3. Jain, S. (2004). Havelis A Living Tradition of
classical and beautiful architecture of India has been well Rajasthan. Haryana: Shubhi Publications.
documented and saved, but the traditions are threatened 4. line, I. (2009, August 15). havelis. Retrieved from
by the new demands for change and development. Still Indialine:
the importance of this technique of construction cannot http://www.indialine.com/travel/rajasthan/shekha
be overlooked because of advantages of mud wati/havelis.html
architecture. 5. Pearl Academy of Fashion / Morphogenesis.
The feeling of comfort is a subjective perception that (2009). Retrieved from Arch daily:
varies from person to person and from one culture to http://www.archdaily.com/40716/pearl-academy-
another. Measurement of temperature, therefore, will not of-fashion-morphogenesis
indicate how comfortable the users of a building might 6. Speaks, H. (2008, 07 22). History Speaks - Tribal
have been many years ago. The measurement of History. Retrieved from History Speaks:
temperature will however say something about the http://indiahistoryspeaks.blogspot.in/search/label/
effectiveness of a particular cooling method from which Tribal%20History
one may be able to judge how comfortable we might be
in a similarly designed modern structure. Never having
been exposed to mechanical air-conditioning, the users
of this building did not show any signs of discomfort.
There is perhaps more to comfort cooling than meets the
thermometer.
In the era of abundance where everyone wants more
of everything, the key to future lies in doing with less.
Passive Design and Environmental planning should be
done by utilizing the resources in an efficient way to
create a built environment that uses less land, less
building, less water, less private motorized vehicles and
less energy.

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