I wanted information on different types of houses in India?

Question

let me elaborate

there are different types of houses in india in different regions and in different states..

this is only becoz of different climatic conditions

for example kashmir a hill station has diff. houses as compared a house in tamil nadu where d climate is very hot

so plz do help

thnx n regards

Ishan Manjani

Answer 1

This is a very interesting and facinating subject. I think you are actually interested in vernacular architecture of India. Let me try to explain........

Vernacular architecture can perhaps be defined as architecture born out of local building materials and technologies, an architecture that is climate-responsive and a reflection of the customs and lifestyles of a community.The vernacular forms for building are those that have existed in the region in their basic forms, a sloping roof surface to bear the rainfall, a circular house form to combat cyclonic winds, a thick flat mud roof that keeps out the heat of the sun, a wind tower that catches the cool breeze, or an inner courtyard that makes the shaded open space cool and enjoyable. Vernacular architecture is therefore traditional in that sense. Vernacular architecture aims at comfort and uses natural materials to achieve that comfort, it is also an aesthetically sound architecture. Don't you agree that our traditional buildings are really beautiful? Since it uses locally available materials and is adapted to the local environment it is strikingly unique. A village house in Kerala will be strikingly different from that in a Rajasthan village. Unfortunately, a modern concrete flat roofed house will be same in both the states.

It is very difficult to say how many types of vernacular housing are there in India. This is a huge country with so many climatic zones; with so many different people, tribes and groups. For example, you mention about houses in Rajasthan that are meant to withstand the hot summer sun, the Mangalorian roof to cope up with the heavy rainfall and the light weight Assamese house (they have "ekra" walls also) to adapt to the potential earthquakes and ground shaking (Assam and North-east are prone to earthquakes). Similarly you will find a very different kind of traditional housing in the cold regions of Ladak (J&K). Also different life styles influences the traditional housing patteren. For example, the village lay out of the "Santhal" tribes of Bengal/Bihar or the "Jarwas" in Andamans & Nicobar Islands are dictated by the community life styles and values.

Hope you find this answer useful.

Cheers.