SUSTAINABILITY IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF

ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Endorsing indigenous knowledge about building construction in contemporary

architecture, with special emphasis on Visakhapatnam

K. Naga Santosh Reddy1

Satya Sravani Karuturi2
Mani Shankar Alla3
Bhavana Gautam4

1,2,3,4
M. Arch, Architecture, GITAM School of Architecture, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract
The vernacular architecture in Twenty First Century: theory education and practice” conference
aimed at: To further debate on the importance of vernacular architecture studies now and
throughout the twenty-first century, not as a reflection of past traditions, but as a contribution to
new approaches, solutions and accomplishments for the future built environment.

The principal purpose of any building is to provide a living to man protection from the
extremities of climate. Harmony between environment and building is the main concept behind
vernacular architecture. These structures were deeply adaptable to the site environment and had
minimal environmental effect. The notion of sustainability that emerged in the 1980s, developed
very quickly from an environmental-friendly strategy to a number of high-tech and over-priced
response. In today's culture and in its architecture, vernacular heritage has been and remains
very living and still plays an active part.

This paper is primarily aimed at understanding and integrating values and strategies for the
sustainability of vernacular heritage in present society. The methodology adopted is
documentation of vernacular built heritage of Andhra Pradesh where the focus area is
Visakhapatnam, a district of coastal Andhra Pradesh and is analyzed based on sustainable
aspects. A primary study is conducted on the fishermen dwellings to investigate the role of
sustainable parameters such as solar radiation, wind flow, u-value of materials, window wall
ratio and surface volume ratio through simulations and calculations. The comparison between
the vernacular dwelling and modern dwelling of fishermen community is undertaken based on
building construction parameters like site, orientation, planning and built form. The results of
this research allows us to understand how the new urban homes are far from the principles of
sustainability and how they can learn from the ‘sustainable’ old town close to them, and how
architects and stakeholders could learn from the strategies of vernacular architecture. This
paper concludes with an appreciation of vernacular traditions and means to integrate them in
the present scenario.

Keywords: Sustainability, Vernacular Architecture, Identity, Culture, Building Construction

1. Introduction

"tradition is the unbroken chain of all renewals and, beyond that, the surest witness of the
projection toward the future" - Le Corbusier

The UN 2007 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People acknowledged that “respect for
indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices tributes to sustainable and equitable
development and proper management of the environment.” Indigenous knowledge has several
implications, including traditional knowledge, local wisdom and knowledge of rural people.
Indigenous knowledge is traditional local knowledge within the specific circumstances of
indigenous women and men in a particular geographical region and is created around them. India
has an enhanced culture and a long history. In every portion of the nation there is a large
reservoir of native expertise. In India, vernacular construction techniques are handed over from
generations to generations and reflect the local environment, the materials available and the
powerful cultural ethos. This was the consequence of repeated trial and error cycles and
experience from generations of builders, which satisfy the thermal comfort and durability
requirements of the occupants. Various areas in India have various kinds of native construction
technology. In distinctive constructions, individuals build shelter and comfort in reaction to their
location on the world from igloo to bamboo houses, from thatched roofs to terraced roof. Due to
the absence of understanding the knowledge and use of materials resulted in a slow decline of
vernacular architecture.

Andhra Pradesh is a land of rich and traditional cultural heritage. It has an extensive architectural
reservoir and indigenous knowledge in rural culture. The vernacular types of construction are
those that existed in the region in their primitive forms, such as a sloping roof surface to bear
rainfall, a circular house shape to fight cyclonic winds, a mud roof that keeps out the sun's heat,
or an inner courtyard that makes the shaded open room. Vernacular architecture still exists in
Andhra Pradesh, and people are now using it with some indigenous technologies. Due to
globalization, the vernacular pattern of living has altered. Likewise, housing patterns in Andhra's
rural regions cause individuals to alter their living patterns. New buildings have been built and
older buildings have been changed or replaced. Also generally, lessons of vernacular architecture
on climate control were ignored. Houses being built are as a large glazed enclosed space without
providing ventilation and sun protection. To this end, people are increasingly dependent on air
conditioning to maintain levels of comfort in summer. This is the major cause of gases for

climate change and global warming. Vernacular buildings, however, maintain certain indigenous
thermal comfort construction techniques. Due to changes made in functional requirements, such
buildings are disappearing over time. There were several new construction materials and new
building techniques. There is recent considerable interest in indigenous construction technologies
related to research and development found in vernacular architecture of various parts of the
country. However, most study activities are restricted to documentation. Only very limited
researches focus on developing quantitative understanding of these structures' behavior in order
to further improve the technologies and develop analytical methods for their use. In this context,
the main problem is to learn basic principles and lessons of vernacular architecture and to find
ways to integrate these principles into development programs in order to plan or upgrade existing
settlements.

1.1 Understanding Sustainability

The word 'sustain' means to hold. The idea of sustainability is to ensure that our actions and
decisions today do not constrain the opportunities of future generations. The term sustainable
(and sustainability) at the end of twentieth century became an important issue in the discourse of
architecture and penetrated into architectural consciousness. (Reham Ibrahim Momtaz, 2012)

Sustainability aims to save natural resources to future generations, so sustainable architecture

minimizes the adverse environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and balance in
the use of materials, energy and space. On the other side, cultural resources form the
characteristics of society. Therefore, sustainable architecture seeks to diminish the negative
cultural impact of buildings by intensifying the character and identity of place during design
process. Thus sustainability is a balancing act. (Salman, 2018)

1.1.1 Principles of Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability: This scope addresses the human capacity of intervention, in order
to decrease and even avoid negative impacts on the environment. It also implies the ability to
compensate the consequences of any simulated action, and the recognition of the overall
necessity to nurture the territorial regeneration. It aims to promote habitat restoration and
preservation.

Socio-cultural Sustainability: This scope is considered as a milestone of relations, sense of

belonging, identity, personal and communitarian development. It gathers sensitive behavior in
relation to the culture.

Socio-economic Sustainability: This scope constitutes the most significant scope of the
sustainable sphere, conventionally adopting financial values as essential indicators. It involves
creating economic value out of any project or decision undertaken. (VERSUS, 2014)

1.2 Understanding Vernacular Architecture

The term vernacular is derived from Latin word "vernaculus" meaning "indigenous, native and
domestic". (Sarkar, 2005) Vernacular architecture is the architecture of the locale, retaining the
concept of architecture without architects, or people's architecture. Built by local people,
vernacular architecture represents their requirements, function, culture, geographical location,
historical context. Hence, it is generally accepted that vernacular architecture is well adapted to
the dominant climate of that region as it is an indigenous manifestation of the building science.
(Salman, 2018)
The Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World (1997) defines vernacular
architecture as:
...comprising the dwellings and all other buildings of the people. Related to their environmental
contexts and available resources they are customarily owner- or community-built, utilizing
traditional technologies.

All configurations of vernacular architecture are constructed to meet distinct needs,

accommodating the principles, economies and ways of life of the cultures that fabricate them.
(Oliver, 1997)

The process of formation of vernacular architecture for understanding its basic and necessity is
the primary need. Firstly, the development of products from architecture extends over specific
time space that is sometimes sustained. It's suggested to involve houses as a basic concept for
individuals living in them. The second combines and performs by design together as an effective
concept with impressiveness and in all regions. Thirdly, it is the realization of adaption of the
most of the spaces. The fourth reflects the interests of people in accordance to their ethnic
culture, building techniques and spatial planning methods. The fifth- representing history and
culture of indigenous people through process of building formation and making them their public
wealth. (Ghiasi, 2016)

1.3 Resilience in vernacular architecture

The presence of local culture in a community signifies its importance through the process of
settling down that emerges from different cultures. The interaction of indigenous knowledge
with disasters, crisis or intense change is a significant factor in the community. In such case,
resilience emerges as a mechanism to cope with adverse conditions occurring due to disasters
having ability to adapt and initiate socio- territorial organization. The indigenous knowledge and
wisdom, are resilience of such communities. However, to be indigenous is to be resilient.
Resilient settlements involve dynamic architecture by constantly transforming the surrounding
conditions in a process, thus flexibility and adaptability become two essential principles of
resiliency. Vernacular design strategies in such instance can be accepted as resilient, as its
structure is influenced by dynamic factors like climate, materials and cultures. (VERSUS, 2014)
1.3.1 Role of indigenous cultures in context of resilience

Today, it is hard to define the traditional knowledge system as it is generally integrated into the
local societies and customs. Local practices for building design and conservation maybe
generated through multi-disciplinary evaluation of local resilient solutions. Indigenous
knowledge can improve resilience by showing its ability to cope through difficulty by increasing
communication through teaching and experience. It is therefore inherent in presuming that
indigenous knowledge is a resilient source. (Willi Weber, 2014)
Vernacular architectural resilience potentials are developed to define and study how local
traditions, spatial planning, land use and construction culture have a high resilience ability.
Prevention and adaptation practices derived from vernacular heritage should be incorporated
with technical data and skills, to validate and educate communities about possible vulnerability.
Local communities can reduce their vulnerability and improve resiliency through locally
managed and small-scale mitigation activities. Vulnerabilities can be reduced, however through
education and awareness on building and planning. These non-structural techniques are often as
essential in a viable manner of life over long term as structural mitigation. (Wahid, 2012)

1.3.2 Lessons of resilience from vernacular heritage for contemporary

architecture

Resilience strategies are inherent in traditional societies. They are extremely reliable as they have
evolved over the years. Indigenous people have over generations developed vast knowledge and
practical disaster prevention through experiences and lessons learnt from previous disasters. In
order to identify and explore local traditions, spatial arrangements, land use and building cultures
a broad method for a better understanding of the potential resilience of vernacular architecture is
developed. (B. Ozel, 2014)

In order to endorse the practices of prevention and adaptation that arise from vernacular
architecture, it should be incorporated into technical data and as well educate the communities
concerning potential hazard and risks. Also, the local communities can reduce their vulnerability
and improve resilience through small-scale mitigation activities. These non-structural systems
are often as essential in a sustainable way of living for the long term. (VERSUS, 2014)
1.4 Understanding sustainability in vernacular architecture

Vernacular architecture tends to react to climatic circumstances through passive energy efficient
strategies, in order to provide for human comfort -strategies essential to buildings' form,
orientation and materiality. This architecture is also proof that local building resources are used
and this is economical and is therefore an optimal resource for sustainable design.
The architecture that evolved after the industrial revolution had the least adaption to climatic
conditions. The technological advances resulted post industrial revolution lead to decreased
effects of many conflicts. Integration of architecture with different climate can be seen especially
in Vernacular architecture. Due to the risk of depletion of fossil fuel and limitation of its supply
in the 20th century cause the improvement of conditions of life that among them, considering to
the aspects such as energy consumption in buildings causes to invent climatic responsive design
techniques. Of course, with regard to vernacular architecture, it is possible. In addition, the
experience of residence in Andhra Pradesh and its great history in the field of architecture
consider necessary the attention to climatic techniques of vernacular architecture and using that
with the modern methods of construction.
Recently, energy consuming technology was used for the purpose of achieving human comfort in
houses in the manner of heat, cooling, ventilation and lighting technologies. These systems are
often 'added on' once the form, layout and materiality of the building have been decided. An
approach to design where building technology is integrated with concept design has the potential
to reduce the need for high-tech systems and reduce the energy-consumption of buildings. (Willi
Weber, 2014)

1.5 Need for reviving the vernacular practices

If one studies our past and our current, Indian music prospers well; community cuisine has come
to be served at restaurants; ritual practices go on; traditional clothes are still common in the fresh
haute couture. The major casualty is in architecture where the vernacular is diluted and the
modern becomes powerful. This is why it is important and necessary to rethink this ever green
and ever suitable means of building.

Both local and external phenomena do not compete with each other, they are complementary,
and therefore they need to inform one another. However, the local traditions are stopped and are
blown off our feet. It began with the British implementing fresh professional programs
which mocks our indigenous methods, for architecture and civil engineering. Over the years
MNC culture is being informed by the Internet, the media and fresh pictures have been
accelerated according to worldwide practices. (Rajeshkav, 2017)

The unprecedented development of the building sector and the search for ' modern ' and/or '
permanent ' habitat are continually threatening this huge resource: a valuable depot of traditional
construction methods that arise as a reaction to its varied expressions of climate, geology and
society. Many of the indigenous approaches to construction are losing their relevance and are
rapidly replaced, proving ultimately economically and environmentally unsustainable. While
significant study is going on and continues to be conducted on indigenous construction materials
and methods, its application is often disputed, particularly for modern growth. (Dronah, 2015)

Currently, construction technology and sustainable design are regarded essential in the growing
field of contemporary architecture. The architects in practice have a challenging responsibility to
design ecologically sustainable buildings with changed worldwide energy and resource use
concerns. This new obligation led to a significant change of trend from a biased preference of
noticeable, institutionalized building forms to more organic, humble and energy-efficient
vernacular forms. The local building forms also capitalize on user’s knowledge of how to
efficiently design houses to support cultural preservation and traditional wisdom. Many
practitioners are also influenced by traditions in construction because of the fact that local
vernacular forms have demonstrated being energy-efficient and ‘green.’ (Mamun Rashid, 2015)

1.5.2 Contribution to modern era

The evolution of vernacular architecture is no different. It can still arise today through a place-
specific design with customers that meets the functional needs. It is not how the final design
appears that is critical, but how the design evolves.

Modern architecture seems to have forgotten the vernacular architecture, the simplest way to
respond to human needs. The pattern has, however, changed sensibly owing to latest increases in
energy expenses. Regionalism and social building traditions are embraced by architects since
these buildings are energy effective and fully sustainable. There is still a lot to be learnt from
traditional knowledge of vernacular design in this era of fast technological development and
urbanization. These low-tech housing methods which are designed according to their region are
great because they are the values that the architects most often ignore. (Edwards, 2011)

Today, vernacular architecture is considered a model for sustainable architecture, and the
strategies that are now the basis of sustainable construction are derived from aspects and
characteristics of this type of architecture. (Fernandes J, 2014)

2. The Vernacular Architecture of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh has kaccha buildings of two kinds:

• Circular in plan with high conical roofs

• Rectangular with two or four pitched roofs

Figure 1 Regions of Andhra Pradesh (Thiagarajan, 2001)

The Andhra coast had traditional thatch roofed mud huts. For nearly five thousand years these
houses were a prevalent characteristic. This house shape is called chuttillu, which implies a
round house (illu means house).
Figure 2 Coastal area house from Andhra Pradesh (IADEA, n.d.)

Two family-owned homes were frequently roofed and walled in rectangular form. Constructed of
mud or mud and wattle, the house is built on a plinth decorated with finger marks in paste of
white rice paste or vertical white and red ocher stripes. White kollam are auspicious patterns
outside the door on the ground. Significant houses are covered with factory tiles. Some have the
small and locally moulded range of tiles, which combines two types- V shape for the lower rows
running down the slope and rounded for the top.

In Srikakulam District, there are typical rural houses of the Savara Tribe in "Kalliti" village
which are made with stone walls, mud plaster with bamboo supporting and flat mud terrace. The
Savara's housing layout is linear huts in parallel rows. Each linear hut is made up of numerous
compartments, each housing a family. The villages consist of about ten to twenty households
which are relatively small. The Savara always live in their exclusive community. In the company
of either other tribal or non-tribal organizations, they never construct their homes. All houses are
thatched locally known as Soong. Their huts are square or rectangular single room with mud and
stone walls that are smoothly plastered in mud with bamboo support. The roof is thatched and
covered with "Dhabba" grass which is available locally. All other support structures consist of
bamboo from the neighboring forest. The roof drops down to the front and rear of the building.
The buildings should be 3m or 6m or even 9m wide where the length is not a restriction. These
houses either face north or south. There are two entrances in each house, one in the front, and the
other in the back. There are two slopes in Savara houses and the front has a covered verandah.
Generally, the roof is expanded to form a small veranda on one side of the house. In the
backyard, a bamboo fence is placed to separate one house from another. The height of both the
front, and rear side of the huts is almost 2m and almost 4m-5m in the center. The building
comprises two parts that are almost 4.5 m high separated by a mud plaster wall. The room has
only one entrance door and no windows. Most houses have doors with wattled frames. The low
roofs with no ventilation are apparently designed to protect themselves against cold winds during
the winter and to prevent damage to mud walls caused by rain. Outside the house, they cook food
in the veranda. They divided the veranda into two parts and make use of corner place for cooking
facilities, and other area for visitors to stay. To worship ancient spirits and deities, one corner of
the kitchen is used. They decorate walls with a red mud, and also use cow's dung on floors and
on mud walls to maintain the house clean. They believe that this sort of system keeps the insects,
termites, flies, and so on away from the house. The houses of Savara have murals on their walls.
The cattle sheds are constructed individually a few metres from the house in the villages. As no
livestock sheds are required for all homes, their numbers are few. These cattle sheds surround the
buildings. The firewood or grass which are used for thatching the houses is stored in the space
remaining between the cattle sheds. Kitchen gardens are also cultivated in certain areas, on the
backyard of the dwelling. (Shodhganga)
Figure 3 Stone wall with mud plaster and flat mud terrace Figure 4 A typical house in Rayalseema (Shodhganga)

The walls are built of stone and are coated with mud and the roof is made with palm leaf thatches
in a typical building in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh State. The buildings have stone
enclosures.

Rayalseema is located in the plateau area and is renowned for the black slate stone used in the
houses ' floors and roofs. The houses in Andhra Pradesh's dry Rayalaseema districts consists of
Cuddapah, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts indicate completely distinct kinds of
houses than those observed in other areas of the state. Flat roofed houses completely composed
of stones come across in this region. The walls are constructed with flat stones. (Shodhganga)

A popular characteristic in Cuddapah is the simple round huts made of mud walls and dry corn
stalk roofs or jungle thatch that looks almost pre-historic. There are flat roofed houses
completely made of stone in the district of Kurnool. The walls are structured one over the other
in flat stones. The roofs are produced by spreading flat sheet stones over wooden rafters. One has
to dig the ground land just a few feet below the ground to get a layer of flaky stone sheet.

Table 1 Distribution of Building Materials used for Walls in the rural houses of India, 1971

State Mud Unburnt bricks Burnt bricks Stone Total

Andhra Pradesh 53.88% 1.31% 13.07% 19.98% 88.24%

Various other locally available materials which are also used for the construction of vernacular
houses. In Andhra Pradesh thatch, wood and bamboo are most important roofing materials.
In rural India, the use of building materials of geological origin such as mud, stone, unburnt
bricks are very high. When put together, they form 86.75 percent of all the rural houses. Nearly
78 districts of India have' more than 99 percent rural houses falling in this category, which shows
the popularity of these materials. Cuddapah forms 99.37 percent of these materials.

Andhra has 19.98 percent of their houses with stone as wall material. The highest percentage in
Andhra Pradesh occurs in Kurnool district with 80.98 percent houses having walls of stone. Here
only 3 percent of the roofs are of stone.

West Godavari forms 11.68 percent of unburnt brick houses. East Godavari forms 5.51 percent.
East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur have houses with burnt brick walls range between 16
percent to 32 percent of their total rural houses. Nellore ranges between 8 percent to 16 percent.
Some of them in Cuddapah form 3.91 percent.

The vegetation used in rural houses are various types of grasses, straw, reeds, palm leaves and
wood. Due to scarcity of wood, its use has declined considerably. Other materials falling in this
category are being used widely in various combinations. In some areas plenty of mud is mixed
with other materials or is plastered over it. Even today, most of the houses are constructed by
using age old techniques and skill which is passed on from one generation to another.
Figure 5 Burnt brick as wall material- 1971 Figure 6 Mud as wall material

Figure 7 Mud as building material for walls Figure 8 Stone as wall material

Figure 9 Unburnt brick as wall material Figure 10 Bamboo, thatch as roofing material
3. Case examples in Visakhapatnam

Documentation of vernacular built heritage of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh is done and

analyzed based on sustainable aspects. A primary study is conducted on the vernacular and
modern fishermen dwellings to investigate the role of sustainable parameters such as solar
radiation, wind flow, u-value of materials, through simulations and calculations. The comparison
between the cases is undertaken based on building construction parameters like site planning and
built form.

Figure 11 Location map of Peda Jalaripeta, Visakhapatnam (Author, 2019)

3.1 Vernacular dwelling- Chutillu

The Andhra coast had traditional thatch roofed mud huts. For nearly five thousand years these
houses were a prevalent characteristic. This house shape is called chuttillu, which implies a
round house (illu means house).

Figure 12 Chuttilu, Peda Jalaripeta, Visakapatnam (Author, 2019)

 A’
A

Legend:

1. Inner Room
2. Loft
3. Framed window with
shutters
4. Sill for storage
5. Door
6. Verandah
7. Frameless window/
vent
8. Porch
9. Seat/Storage area
10. Palmyra posts
11. Mud wall (0.48m)
12. Mud wall (0.35m)
13. Bamboo beam
14. Palmyra Thatch
Figure 13 Plan of Chutillu (Author, 2019) eaves
15. Palmyra leaf thatch
16. Joined Palmyra joists
17. Palmyra ring bracing
18. Bamboo joist
19. Bamboo ring bracing
20. Roof centre posts
21. Collar
22. Palmyra leaf stems
joined to form spire
23. Half log thrust beam
24. Granite block
25. Palmyra plank
ceiling with mud
surfacing
26. Palmyra beam
27. Mud floor over
rubble and sand
28. Concrete termite
barrier
29. Rough rubble granite
30. Brick border

Figure 14 Section of Chutillu (Author, 2019)

3.1.1 Form

The round huts were protective against nature in more than one ways. They could easily keep the
animals out and they were designed to wrap the residents in extreme cold conditions. These
buildings ensure optimal and maximum use of space, unlike rectangular and square buildings.
Mud and wooden roofs safeguarded them from heat in the summer. The traditional coastal
Andhra village was usually a cluster of round mud houses. They were constructed in circular
shapes close together, in order to keep the cyclonic winds that always struck the coast
tangentially away from the cluster. The form and the location in cyclone prone areas assist the
buildings to fight the high pressure winds and rain.

3.1.2 Construction method

The walls of the house are constructed of mud using the cob wall technology, which means that
the earth is carefully mixed with water to create the correct consistency. Balls of mud will then
be put closely in a line, from where a 0.45m wall is constructed.

3.1.3 Materials

Palmyra wood is used in rafters, Palmyra thatch for the roof and lime wash for the walls. The
internal space is furnished with an internal floor of mud and wooden roof to protect against rain
and fire. The slope of the roof should be at least 45 degrees, less than that, water falls through the
leaves of palm stalk. The overhang of the roof protects the mud walls against the rain. The roof
almost touches the floor around the house due to the need for such an overhang. The door height
is low of height 1.5m and is made of local wood. The floors are padded with cow dung and
margossa leaf paste and turmeric in order to guarantee that pest attack would never occur. The
buildings were topped by a thatch that would be altered annually.
Figure 15 Palmyra trees (IADEA, n.d.) Figure 16 Plastering on mud wall (IADEA, n.d.)

3.1.4 Interior planning

Specific rooms have been designated for storing grains, agricultural equipment and family
products. The building comprises of an internal circular room surrounded by a circular room
serving as a kitchen on one side and a store or sitting/sleeping area on the outer end. The grain
for the annual consumption of the family and all the main belongings of the household is stored
in clay urns in the internal space. This space was also used to sleep during the winter. The
family would be sleeping outdoors or on the spacious verandah that was part of every house in
the summers. Outside the house there is also a cooking place or 'vantasala'. The bullock cart
sometimes has a shelter. The unhusked rice or ‘dhanyam’ produced will be stored in a big
container made with twigs or bamboo and mud. The initial houses had their barns and vegetable
patches in circular compounds.

However, they can hardly be seen nowadays as individuals are moving progressively towards the
construction of concrete buildings. these round huts served as rooms to the sick, guest
bedrooms, wardrobes and bachelor areas even upper caste houses, particularly in Brahmin homes
which were constructed as traditional homes.
3.1.1 Solar radiation

Figure 17 Solar radiation on North façade Figure 18 Solar radiation on East facade
(Roof- 750.8 kWh/sq m; Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m ) (Roof- 1458kWh/sq m; Wall- 347.4 kWh/sq m)

Figure 19 Solar radiation on South façade Figure 20 Solar radiation on West facade
(Roof- 1513 kWh/sq m; Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m) (Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m)

Figure 21 Range of Solar Radiation

Solar irradiance shows its maximum effect on South followed by East on roof. The walls are
comparatively much cooler ranging from 162.1 kWh/sq m to a maximum of 347.4kWh/sq m.
3.2 Present Scenario

Figure 22 Dwelling of the present scenario (Author, 2019)

B B’

Table 2 Plan of a Modern dwelling (Author, 2019)

Figure 23 Elevation and Section of a modern house (Author, 2019)

3.2.1 Form

The rectangular form has been designed without setbacks to utilize the whole site.

3.2.2 Construction & materials

The walls of the house are constructed of brick walls of thickness 0.15m in the exterior and
0.11m in the interiors. The roof is constructed of R.C.C as flat slab of 0.13m.

3.2.3 Interior planning

The planning done is similar to vernacular dwelling's plan except for addition of toilets. Also
there is no separate storage space, but it is well within the kitchen space.

3.2.4 Solar radiation

Figure 24 Solar radiation on North façade Figure 25 Solar radiation on East façade
(512.8 kWh/sq m) (986 kWh/sq m)
Figure 26 Solar radiation on South façade Figure 27 Solar radiation on West façade

(811.8 kWh/sq m) (543.9 kWh/sq m)

Figure 28 Solar radiation on roof- 1565 kWh/sq m Figure 29 Range of Solar Radiation

Solar irradiance shows its maximum effect on East followed by South. The roof receives a huge
amount of irradiance of 1565 kWh/sq m.
Table 3 Comparison of Case examples (Author, 2019)

S.No. PARAMETERS CASE-1 CASE-2

(Vernacular dwelling) (Present Scenario)
1. Materials Roof Pitch (Palmyra leaves) Flat (R.C.C)
U-Value 0.25 W/m2 K 3.59 W/m2 K
Wall Cob wall Brick
Exterior- 0.45 m thick Exterior- 0.15m thick

U-Value 1.9 W/m2 K 3.5 W/m2 K

Flooring Mud floor over rubble and Tiled floor
sand
2. Openings Windows A gap of 0.15m is One window of varying sizes
maintained between the wall between 0.45m-0.90m is
and roof present in each room
Doors Width- 0.75m Width- 1.00m
Height- 1.50m Height- 2.10m
3. Planning Verandah with one room as Verandah with private living,
living and kitchen space bedroom and kitchen space
4. Structure Bamboo post and conical R.C.C structure
framework
5. Foundation Rough rubble granite Isolated footing
6. Solar North Roof- 750.8 kWh/sq m 512.8 kWh/sq m
Radiation Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m
South Roof- 1458 kWh/sq m 811.8 kWh/sq m
Wall- 347.4 kWh/sq m
East Roof- 1513 kWh/sq m 986 kWh/sq m
Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m
West Wall- 162.1 kWh/sq m 543.9 kWh/sq m
Roof 1565 kWh/sq m
In Case-1, the Palmyra leaves proved to be a better selection as its U-value (heat transmission
through the material) in comparison to RCC slab is as less as 0.25 W/m2 K. Similarly, cob wall
of thickness 0.45m having U-value of 1.9 W/m2 K proves to be a better selection compared to
brick wall. However, since the external walls of Case-1 (vernacular dwelling) are thicker and
with greater thermal capacity than the walls of Case-2, the thermal performance of Case-1 is
comparatively better. Opening in form of gap between wall and roof in Case 1 allows wind flow
in the dwelling whereas in Case 2 there is no such wind flow as there is only one window in each
room which doesn't allow any cross ventilation.

4. Discussion of Results

It is particularly essential to analyze and discuss this scenario because issues exist in relation to
the application of certain design models which are not suited to climate and socio-cultural
contexts. Amongst other things, the utilization of these design models, leads to the abandonment
of certain outdoor spaces (which are not used or maintained), to an increase in the cost of
building and maintenance, and to some of them after the houses have been adapted by the
owners or tenants to meet significant functional needs, such as privacy issues. Through the
comparative strategy provided in the prior section, some characteristics of the vernacular
buildings could be highlighted, which could contribute to the improvement of houses
at environmental, socio-cultural, and economic levels. Nevertheless, the correct integration of
vernacular and modern construction features will result in an appropriate design. For example,
some of the features of old buildings do not meet the requirements for modern living standards
and cannot be used to design fresh constructions in metropolitan regions. Based on the outcomes
of the study, some strategies are summarized below:

4.1 Building material

The building materials of the Case 1 were dependent on natural, local materials, so they
contribute to less embodied energy which enhances the socio-economic sustainability. No
material was imported, and none were manufactured or processed from outside the region. Mud,
earth and thatch with thick dimensions were the most widely used construction materials. It
improved the thermal and acoustic performance of buildings and enhanced the
environmental sustainability.

The modern or contemporary houses are very different from the vernacular housing settlements.
They rely more on synthetic products such as concrete, steel and materials that are unsustainable
and not local, and which are difficult to reuse or recycle in rural areas. Building elements based
on synthetic materials are poor, in terms of thermal or noise insulation, when used alone without
insulation materials.

4.2 Interior spaces

Also, the temperature in the indoor areas was crucial, with appropriate and environmentally
sound or passive alternatives to maintain the appropriate indoor temperature for daily life.

The modern houses are financially dependent, and other important aspects are ignored.
Regardless of whether or not this building fits their culture or beliefs, people want to build a
cheap house, or a cheap place to stay. The buildings have been constructed without any concern
for socio-cultural values, the interior or the environmental impact.

4.3 Openings

It was clearly regarded by individuals that opening is essential for privacy and passive cooling
strategies. In vernacular buildings, the openings were limited to the control of the weather and
aimed to gather the required cold breeze in warm summer days, as well as sunlight during cold
winter days.

In the design phase, openings, namely their area, location and orientation, are very crucial. In
modern buildings, openings were located without any concern regarding the sunlight or wind
direction in summer and winter.
4.4 Building image

The buildings have similar outside aspect for the rich and poor. That would decrease the
expressions in society of envy and antagonism. In the house individuals could live free and give
the image they want to the interior space.

This is lacking, in the modern constructions, the external image of the building relies on the
owner's financial status and that in modern constructions is readily noticeable.

4.5 Noise Transmission

The approaches of the vernacular settlements have contributed to minimizing noise. This was
accomplished by preventing the main streets from passing through the residential settlements,
and they were provided with narrow roads for pedestrians. With such formation, in ancient
settlements the noise associated with outdoor noise is very low. The yard in front of the
dwellings, a private area with a refracted entry, also decreases the noise from the various
activities from the neighboring people. The social space, which separates the neighbors,
also prevents the transmission of noise between the houses.

The activity area and the living room are not separated in the contemporary houses, therefore the
noise is simply transferred to other houses through walls, doors and floors. The structures are
usually separated and are surrounded on at least two sides by roads. Since there is inadequate
noise isolation on the facade, the structures have many noise issues.

5. Conclusion

Amos Rapoport presented his paper ‘Vernacular Design as a Model System’ at the ‘Vernacular
Architecture in the Twenty-First century: Theory Education and Practice’ conference in
December 2005. He suggests that it is time that vernacular studies moved on from ‘describing
and documenting buildings’ to ‘the next “problem oriented”, comparative, integrative and more
conceptual/theoretical stage’: that we should learn from vernacular design, and that ‘this is best
done by looking at vernacular design as a model system’. This approach bridges the gap between
real buildings and theory. (Rapoport, 2005)
Generally, in order to develop something and to improve it, it is necessary to learn from previous
experiences, especially when talking about a very rich background and a very poor reality. In this
paper, some strategies were raised and explored in building design scale, both in the old and new
contexts, comparing the old and the contemporary buildings of fisherman community in
Visakhapatnam. The study tried to highlight these strategies in order to assess their potential to
use them in improving the design of new urban areas.

In this paper, the construction factors of both cases in Visakhapatnam were studied. Results show
that unfortunately, in the new constructions natural environment and its preservation is not
considered and vernacular patterns are going to get forgotten but people prefer to these factors in
priority to decrease the construction costs and also the factors which have direct impact on the
settlements harmony rather than vernacular and sustainable factors.

Using a comparative approach, this paper showed that some of vernacular architecture strategies
have good potential to be used in the design of new buildings and urban areas in Visakhapatnam.
These strategies must be used together with other contemporary design approaches and
knowledge in order to satisfy inhabitant’s needs and expectations, thus contributing to the
creation of a more sustainable built environment. From the results of this study, it is possible to
highlight that vernacular strategies should be used as guidelines in contemporary urban planning
and building design processes. Among others, future research should focus on the quantitative
performance of different vernacular design principles and surveys to the building occupants in
order to better understand how each principle can contribute to satisfying their expectations.

However, the main points which should be always considered in the construction of the
dwellings are firstly what kind of dwelling is suitable for what kind of people and secondly, what
parameters in construction of dwelling should be hold and which one should be updated.
Moreover, consideration of fisherman's' needs should not be forgotten.

It has been identified that vernacular buildings offer lessons in response to climate, energy use
and notions of environmental quality. This emphasizes the potential contribution of vernacular
research to the education of future architects.
5.1 Drawing conclusions of adapting vernacular architecture in urban
residential scenario
Rejuvenating vernacular practices reminds us to search for the more innumerable information
that have once been pursued, we are proud of the treasured methods our ancestors have enacted.
There are architects and engineers who use natural materials and are effective and the best is yet
to come. While a quick pace of life leads us in selecting the newest materials in the sector,
thinking about vernacular methods provides us warmth on the earth and takes us closer to nature.
Vernacular practices are sustainable and will be sustainable in newer forms by using them.

At a certain time, a higher proportion of the houses / shelters consisted of natural products such
as mud walls, mud blocks, compacted mud floors, random rubble-masonry blocks, laterite
blocks, thatched roofs with straw, coconut fronds, sand floors, natural colors made from coal and
shells, etc. The planning of spatial areas is scheduled based on various functional uses: spatial
area (frontal verandah space), living spaces, central courtyard with surrounded bedrooms,
professional space, kitchen at the rear end of the courtyard, storerooms for harvested products
and space for livestock. Optimal lighting and ventilation spaces based on the corresponding
climatic circumstances have been designed. However, when it comes to natural
materials available locally, they must be processed before they are used for building
construction. Those buildings with vernacular materials provide thermal protection and
protection against noise and dust from external habitats.

Due to understanding, vernacular methods have been sustained in defining the suitable natural
material, standardizing the material, developing suitable instruments to refine the chosen natural
material and selecting other natural materials that can be used to dilute, join, give final finish and
rectify the chosen natural material. After these information, the practice of merging all elements
perfectly improves the practice. This is to recall and refresh some of the methods in India which
continue to be based on this shared knowledge regardless of the evolution era. This helps
rejuvenate thinking, renew ideologies and inspire hope. (K.Nishanth, 2016)
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