Architectural Style

Bhunghas are located in the gulf of

Kutchh region. The circular highlighted Bhungha Huts
areas denote the locations of Bhungha
clusters. The Bhonga is a
traditional
construction type in
the Kutch district of
the Gujarat state in
India, which has a
very high earthquake
risk.
A Bhonga consists
Bhungha Fig. 1: A typical Bhungha ,
of a single
locations cylindrically shaped Elevation
Fig. 2:
room. view
Interior
of the
Bungha,
Otla in front
of the
Bhungha

Fig. 1: A typical Bhungha ,

Section

Plan

elevation

Fig. 2: A circular Bhungha type (elevation), A rectangular Bhungha type

(elevation)

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 Architectural Characteristics Vernacular Design interventions

Due to circular shape of wall in plan, inertial forces

Architectural Style: Vernacular Kutchhi developed in wall are resisted through shell action providing
Architecture excellent resistance to lateral forces.
In addition, the thick walls required for thermal insulation
have high in-plane stiffness which provides excellent
A diagram performance under lateral loads.
showing
Fig. 1: Flow
flow of wind
of air acc.
acc. to
to
Venturi
Bernoullis
Effect along
principle of
the central
pressure
shaft of a
Fig. 2: thick walls for thermal differences
Modern
insulation, high plane stiffness which (Plan)
Bhunga
provides excellent performance under
lateral loads.
The circular mud house is an integration of exact geometry and property of materials for the climatic
conditions to evolve a perfect architectural form of the house . The materials used are locally Thatched roof contructed of straw and timber, he roofing
available and habitants themselves build the house. The circular plan efficiently compares the square materials are generally very light weight, and develops
plan where the perimeter to enclosed area ratio is lower than the circular house. The skill, brilliance low inertia forces.
and aesthetics in building the house is the cumulative traditional knowledge of successive
generations added up to result in intelligent built forms.
The platforms are closely
placed and the residual
spaces between them act
as pathways for
movement . Thorny
bushes envelop the
settlement and act as
fence or protective shield
against the hot winds
and dust storms.
On arrival from the
highway one only finds
grass fence and the
projected conical
Deep overhang of the A typical Bhunga thatched roofs against
circular houses cluster the sky. The platform acts as a
plinth

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 Architectural Elements

Cyllindrical walls and Addition of the Mangalore tiles roof Shape of the plan Contemporary Bhunga Modern Bhunga huts
thatched roofs gathering area changes huts with thatched roofs

Evolution of the
1 elevation and plan
Evolution of the
of
The Bhunga
2 doors of the
Bhungas

The Jaali 4 Windows and

acts both openings
3 as an
aesthetic
element
and shields
from the
direct
sunlight Interior view of the Exterior view of the
windows of Bhungas windows of the
Bhungas

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 Interior and Exterior Decoration
For the design of wall decorations, the walls of the bhunga are covered with
a paste made of
donkey dung, earth and Fevicol (a glue). Decorative patterns are incorporated
onto this surface. For colors, minerals are extracted from a dam near Khavda. These
offer a range of five colors: ochre, red, brown, white and dark gray. The minerals are
milled, mixed with water and used to paint the walls of the bhungas. Inside, the mural
relief decorations are accompanied by functional elements such as niches and
shelves.

3. Roof construction ranges from the simple to the very

ornate.

Often the wall is decorated with small mirrors. These mirrors that decorate the
walls inside the bhunga also serve to multiply the light. The design on the walls 4. functional elements such as niches and shelves
hence appears to be similar to
refined embroidery on traditional textiles and garments.
1. Lippan art on
elevation of walls
as exterior
decoration

2. Folk painting art

on elevation of
walls as exterior
decoration

The analogy between paintings on the walls and furniture and Embroidery on traditional clothes is stunning and it
is interesting how communities distinguish themselves through different decorative patterns, used both in
clothing and in wall ornamentations.

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 Materials Used
Primary materials:
1.IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BHUNGA, RAW
MATERIALS THAT ARE EASILY AVAILABLE IN KUTCH. THATCHED ROOF
2.The materials are such that the bhungas are well
Earthquake resistant.

3.Modification to Building Recent Bhungas

constructions have used wide variety of construction
materials. These include the stone or burnt brick Sikki leaves bamboo
masonry either in mud mortar or in cement mortar.

OR

Secondary material:

Thatched roof

Mud stones water

Manglore tiles
TRADITIONAL BHUNGA
Primary materials:

1. Traditional roof consists of light-weight conical roof,

while some recent constructions have used heavy
DOORS, WINDOWS AND
Mangalore tiles on roofs.
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
2. Though essentially unchanged, a few homes have
Mud bricks cow dung Primary material: tiled
OR roofs instead of thatch. Platform drains off water
which
gathers because of the impervious soil, even
Conventional wall though the BHUNGA
Secondary material:
rainfall is meager. OUT OF
CLAY AND
DOOR
REED
cement
TIMBER

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 Kutchh, Bhunga Construction
Wall Construction
Foundation and Boundary walls

The components required for the

construction of walls and
foundations are:

a) Clayey soil and rice husk for

earth blocks.

b) Cement mortar used for

(foundations).

Mud brick wall c) Earth sourced from BANNI, cow

Reinforced wall
dung and local earth for plaster.
Earth and rubble stones for filling the platform -otla -Production
stages of mud blocks are as follows:
1. A trench 30 cm deep and 45 cm wide is dug. The process of laying
the blocks is locally called chanter.
2. Walls are raised on foundations, using cow dung plus local mud
mortar, mixed with water to make the compound workable.
3. Lintels and doors and window frames are inserted where
necessary.
The mixture for the plaster layer, locally called gobar Lipan, is made
with cow dung and local mud. Water is added to improve its
workability. A first layer is applied on the outer surface of the wall, and
smoothed using hands. It takes about a day to complete it, and then
another layer is applied on the inner surface. These inner and outer
layers are alternated, up to seven layers applied on both surfaces of
the wall. The last layer of Lipan is done using earth sourced from
Banni and cow

4. A platform-otla-is then built using rubble stone and earth, up to a

height of about 45 cm. (This is completed by a thin layer of mud,
called Lipan, which is applied also on the walls of the Bhunga to
protect them at the base. Building of Building of a sun dried earth
blocks wall.)

Decorative walls
Trench filled with stone

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 Kutchh, Bhunga Construction

Roof Construction

The components required for roofs construction are:

One horizontal beam (diameter 15 to 18 cm).

A base for the vertical kingpost - patli - size 5x7x25
A central kingpost (ranging from 180 to 270 cm, diameter 10
cm).
A cone - MANN - at the top of the kingpost (diameter 40 cm, 45
cm high).
Babool wood rafters forming the backbone of the roof VALI
(having a diameter between 6 365 cm long)
Culms of split bamboo which constitute the secondary warping -
KHAPATIS (diameter 2 .5 cm, length 365 cm).
Rope - KATHI -, (1.25 cm thick. 30 kg of rope are required).
Straw - KHEEP (for roofing).

Advantages

Bhunga are never "designed" in the modern context. However, Bhunga

architecture is a very unique aspect of traditional desert architecture of
Kutch region in which the size, location and orientation of the Bhunga are
planned for very good structural and functional results.

The entire construction process, which is carried out by the mason with
very few unskilled laborers, can be completed within 30 days.

Otla The construction of this type of housing takes place in a single phase.

Typically, the building is originally designed for its final constructed size.

Section of a bhunga

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 Kutchh, Socio Cultural Character

plan

elevation
Bhunga in clusters

Communities of Kutchh

Circular houses on a platform around the central street acting as a space for community
interaction. Next to the Bhunga, but never set against it,
LANGUAGES
there is usually a small rectangular building, called chowki, which presents small variations:
RELIGION
the largest chowki are used as living spaces, and smaller as kitchens.

Smaller units, about one and a half meter high, not very well shaped and devoid of roof are KUTCHI HINDUS
sometimes set against the Bhunga. These units are used as functional spaces for storage or SINDHI
bathrooms. JAINISM
GUJARATI ISLAM
Kutch district is inhabited by various groups and communities. One can find various nomadic,
semi nomadic and artisan groups living in Kutch. Gujarati Ahirs comprise a comparatively
large group in Kutch.

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 Layout of Bunga Clusters

STREET TO THE HOUSE RATIO

PROPORTIONS OF BHUNGA:

Open space made for local gatherings

3.5m 6m

Raised platform Street width=4m(approx.)

platform
section plan
plan Elevation

THE STREET TO THE BUILDING RATIO IS MORE THAN 1 IN

MOST OF THE CASES THUS BHUNGAS DOESNT HELP IN
SHADING THE STREETS AND THUS THE HOT, DRY AND ARID
CLIMATE DOES BLOW UO THE STREETS TOO.

COLORS AND TEXTURE

Bhungas placed in cluster around a central street

VIBRANT COLORS ARE USED TO PAINT
Canopy of Bhunga
THE FORM OF BHUNGA IS AN EXTROVERT FORM AS THE THE OUTSIDE AS WELL AS THE INSIDE OF
PEOPLE USE VARIOUSBRIGHT COLOURS AND DECORATIVE THE BHUNGA. THESE ARE THE
ITEMS WHICH IN TURN ATTRACT PEOPLE. THE FORM THESE TRADITIONAL COLORS WHICH ARE
PEOPLE USE I.E. THE CYLINDRICAL FORM WHICH HELPS IN BRIGHT, EARTHY AND COMPOSITE.
VARIOUS REASONS FOR THE SURVIVAL OF BHUNGA
THE MATERIALS USED BY THE KUTCHCHHI
ESPECIALLY IN DESERT AREA.
PEOPLE TO BUILT BHUNGA DEFINE THE
TEXTURES. THE WALLS OF BHUNGA GETS
WITH THE ROUGH AND HARD FINISH WITH
FOLK ART OVER IT.
Outside wall

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Arts and Crafts of Kutchh, Gujarat

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