VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

of ASSAM

UNDERSTANDING

We will be understanding the vernacular Architecture of Assam by relating it to six factors.

We will be understanding the vernacular Architecture of Assam by relating it to six factors.

• Socio Economy• Climate• Topography

• Building Techniques• Building Typology• Urban form

Our presentation is mainly in three parts.What? Why? How?

What is Vernacular Architecture?Vernacular architecture is an architectural style that is designed based on local needs, availability of construction materials and reflecting local traditions.

What is Assam?Assam is a state in northeastern India known for its wildlife, archeological sites and tea plantations. Area: 78,438 km²Capital: DispurPopulation: 30.94 million (2012)Official river: Brahmaputra River

What is Vernacular Architecture of Assam?

The Vernacular style of Assam mainly consists of three important significances-

Hip (or Gable)Roof

Use of Bamboosas major buildingmaterials.

Higher Plinth level

Now we will try to understand, Why the Vernacular Architecture of Assam is the way it is?For this, we will relate three factors with Vernacular Style of Assam.

Vernacular Style of Assam

Socio Economic Factors

Use of Bamboosas major building materials

Socially and economically bamboo is considered as the major building material.It is influencing the lifestyle of the people.

Bamboos

Vernacular Style of Assam

Climate Gable or Hip Roof

Gable and Hip roofs doesn’t allow water logging as Assam receives heavy amount of rainfall annually.

Graph showing Annual rainfall Readings in Assam.

Vernacular Style of Assam

Topography High plinth level

Assam faces floods every year.So, the higher plinth level protects the inside of house from getting flooded.

Assam also comes in an Earthquake prone area. Thus the dwellings are made up of local and Temporary materials. It prevents big economical loss.

Now, we will understand How the Vernacular style of Assam is being practiced?For this, we will study the three more factors of Vernacular Architecture of Assam.

Vernacular Building Techniques of Assam .

Trusses

Joints

Lap Joints in Bamboo

Scarf Joint

Integral Tenon (Horned) Joint

Butt JointsIn Bamboo

Rafter Connection

Gusset Plated Joints

Interlacing of Bamboo in construction of walls.

Building Typology

• Walls are of timber frame work, inside those panels ikara used to fill.

• These ikaras are cut in size of the panel and laid vertically.

• The horizontal members usually bamboo.• After putting the ikara it is left to dry for few days.• Then it is plastered in both side with mud mortar.• 3 layers of plaster are done alternatively after dying of

each coat.• Finished coat is of liquid mix of mud and cow dung.• The building are maximum of two storeys.• Building is symmetrical on both side.• 1st floor is connected with a timber stair case.• Open spaces in front (chotal) and back side (bari) of

the house

Some Typical features of Assam vernacular buildings.

Urban Form

Urban forms ofthe Assamese Architecture Retains the flavour of theirVernacular roots with some added modern featureslike the use of more permanent material like concreate and brick fused with the use of BamboosWhere ever possible.

The Urbanisation of the Vernacular.

An example ofUrban house in Assam.

Some modernised use of Bamboo.

Conclusion.

As per our understanding after this study , Vernacular Architecture is basically designing a building without any training in design guided by a series of conventional built up in the locality paying little attention to aesthetics but more productivity.