Vernacular Architecture of Gujarat: Submitted To-Ar. Sakshi Rajput Submiited by - Harinder (1400015) Diksha (1400012)

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF
GUJARAT
Submitted to-
Ar. Sakshi Rajput
Submiited by-
Harinder(1400015)
Diksha (1400012)
Introduction
The traditional architecture of Kutch is the
outcome of the prevailing topography, extremes
of the climate and other natural forces. Moreover
the vernacular architecture merges well with the
desert at the backdrop. The traditional
architecture forms the backbone of social and
cultural set up of th place
Climate and vegetation
It has hot and dry climate and one of the
hottest places in Gujarat which is continuously
inhabited by the human beings. The summers
are extremely hot and the temperature exceed
more than 49°C, posing challenges for the
survival of humans or for that matter any life
forms. However, the nights in Kutch are pretty
cool, with the night temperature falling
considerably.
SETTLEMENT PATTERN
• A habitat in a tropical climatic region is a composition of

open, semi open and enclosed spaces interwoven together
forming the public and private realm- collectively called
„built form‟ or „built environment‟. The beliefs, religion,
climate, materials, social structures, and economy of the
people of that place shape the living pattern and the
habitat. Conversely the habitat and lifestyle reflects the
behaviour, social set up, economy as also the deep-rooted
traditions and the aspirations of the people. It also has
numerous public buildings, houses, palaces, temples,
mosques, memorial chattris and step wells, built in stone
displaying the crafts skill as graceful as wood work.
Types of rows
CURVILINEAR STREETS
A number of streets radiate from one main street in
different directions. While walking towards the village
interiors the streets become quite narrow and finely
carved entrance of row houses with the repetitive main
entrance door with two small niches and two long
windows on both side are seen. Streets take angular
turns at intervals and all houses have mangalore tile
sloping roofs. Though once in 3-4 years, the initial rainfall
here is high.
BUILDING MATERIALS AND
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
The materials used are locally available materials like Mud, Bamboo, cane leaves, of late Bricks,
stone etc.
Bhungas are traditional houses unique to the Kutch region in Gujarat. The houses are circular
walled with thatched roof. According to the limitation of material and construction techniques.
These houses essentially made from organic renewable resources such as mud, grass, cow dung
cane etc.
The plinth and the foundation consists of consolidated earth with stone and bamboo posts, the
walls consists of mud wall, split grass, earth, cane etc., and the roof is thatched, made of wheat
or maize straws.
The Structural System consists of mud load bearing wall and the wooden nuts truss which
supports the roof.
The wooden columns are in house in the mud wall. Much of the behaviors of the structure
depend on the load bearing mud walls.
The structure Integrity is dependent upon Monolithic wall of mud. The corner Junction are
woods Sticks and the Foundation are simply filled with earth with the depth 2-3feet.
The wood in the house is locally available from nearby.
The major Structure failure in the region is due to reaction and erosion of walls due to salinity.
The Salinity erodes the bottom part of the wall in the outward side,
so the cross section decreases due to erosion so the whole structure is pulled in the opposite.
So this reaction due to salinity causes the structure to distort and eventually fail.
Kutchha Houses
These houses essentially made from organic renewable
resources such as mud, grass, cow dung cane etc. The plinth
and the foundation consists of consolidated earth with stone
and bamboo posts, the walls consists of mud wall, split grass,
earth, cane etc., and the roof is thatched, made of wheat or
maize straws. The „Kutchha houses‟ have got common forms
in Kutch region due to microclimate different and cultural
beliefs. 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 of a single cylindrically shaped room.
The Bhonga has a conical roof supported by cylindrical walls.
Bhonga construction has existed for several hundred years.
This type of house is quite durable and appropriate for prevalent desert conditions.
Due to its robustness against natural hazards as well as its pleasant aesthetics, this
housing is also known as "Architecture without Architects."
These types of houses are mostly circular in shape with mostly one multipurpose
room.
The plans and sizes of typical kutchha houses same as per limitations of Material and
Construction Techniques. Typical layout of a house consists of Aangan, Room, Cooking
area, otta, Verandah, Backyard. The Aangan or Front yard is a public space for
gathering, or meeting relatives or visitors. The house unit is typically defined by the
platform- otla – that is always raised above the ground , from a few centimeters up to
one meter. The otla define the domain of the home and the place for outdoor
activities. On this platform rest various structures composing the household one or
more Bhungas (Generally up to three), circular houses with diameter ranging between
3 to 6 meters, covered by a conical thatched roof. A Typical Bhungas has a door and
three or four small and low windows symmetrically arranged around the door. In front
of the door and against the wall, lies a low platform, called pedlo, on which traditional
furniture placed.
Pucca House
These houses are made with stabilized compressed earthen blocks. In
Stabilized blocks cements is added (7-8%) to soil in order to produce
the blocks in a manual press. The mixture of soil and cement (92-
93%) of soil, composed of 75% sand, 15% clays and slit for the
remaining portion, to which 7-8% cement is added), is mixed and
with this compound the blocks are produced in the press. They have
found place as an advancement of the traditional kutchha houses.
According to materials used architectural forms, Pucca houses can be
further classified as modified kutchha house. Modified kutchha
houses bear close resemblance with the traditional kutchha houses
and are mostly being built in the rural areas these days. They are
modified for usage of modern materials in construction. The
traditional thatch roof is replaced by wooden understructure with
Mangalore tiles cover thereby reducing the maintenance of the roof
during rainy days. The construction technique is similar with
stabilized compressed earthen blocks with steel rods as vertical
reinforcement and horizontal reinforced concrete bands at various
levels as seismic safety measures.
Construction Techniques generally used
“COB”. In these methods a large Lump is roughly molded into the shape
of a huge elongated egg.
• The usual size is anything between 12 to 18inches. 30-40cm long and 6

inches in diameter.
A row of these cobs of mud are laid nearly side by side.
Preferably somewhat pressed together. Then another row of cobs is laid

on top.
When three or four courses have been laid, one above the other, the
sides are smoothened over so that the holes and cracks disappear.
The corner Junction are woods Sticks and the Foundation are simply
filled with earth with the depth 2-3feet.
Pucca House
Pottery is developed craft of kutch.

To use clay items for construction was
to find new ways of building methods.
The clay plates and bowls are used for
wall and roof insulation and pots as
visual objects for design.
The local convex circular clay plates
called tavdi are used for preparing rotis.
These clay plates are claded on the
external wall for insulation. Small holes
are made in plates for ventilation and
arranged in different designs and
patterns
BHONGA VERNECULAR
ARCHITECTURE OF GUJARAT
The Bhonga is a traditional construction type in the Kutch
district of the Gujarat state in India.
A Bhonga consists of a single cylinderically shaped room .
The Bhonga has a conical roof supported by cylinderical walls.
Bhonga construction has existed for several hundered years.
This type of house is quite durable and appropriate for
prevelant desert conditions.
TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWING
AND MATERIAL
Masonary wall is made of adobe blocks and plaster is also from mud
covered by cow dunk , lime etc.
Roof is made of bamboo / wooden framework covered with thatch.
CLIMATE
SETTLEMENT DESIGN

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VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF

• A habitat in a tropical climatic region is a composition of

earth, cane etc., and the roof is thatched, made of wheat or

maize straws. The „Kutchha houses‟ have got common forms

in Kutch region due to microclimate different and cultural

beliefs. The Bhonga is a traditional construction type in the

• The usual size is anything between 12 to 18inches. 30-40cm long and 6

Preferably somewhat pressed together. Then another row of cobs is laid

Pottery is developed craft of kutch.

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