Brahma Var
Brahma Var
Brahma Var
DOCUMENTATION REPORT
JANUARY – MAY 2019
DECLARATION: -
- Supervised by:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: -
We are very grateful to our design mentors Ar. Vidya Srikanth, Ar.
Shubhi Sonal, Ar. Neeraja Jayan, Ar. Sanjeev N Kopper, Ar.
Yashaswini and Ar. Murali J, for guiding us through the visit and
teaching us how to translate our leanings on paper.
Last but not the least we would like to thank the people of
Brahmavara for their kindness and hospitality of welcoming us
to their village and houses.
CONTENTS: -
CHAPTER 1
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Aim
1.3 Objectives
1.4 Organization
1.5 Timeline
1.6 Resources
1.7 Literature Review
1.8 Significance of Study
1.9 Limitations
CHAPTER 2
2.1 India, Karnataka and Udupi
2.2 Local Culture and Heritage
2.3 Brahmavara
CHAPTER 3
3.1 Site Context
3.2 Temple
3.3 climate analysis of temple
CHAPTER 4
4.1 Land use
a. Streets
b. Plantation/agriculture
4.2 Activity Mapping
CHAPTER 5
5.1 Street
5.2 House
1. UPADHYAYA HOUSE
A. TYPES OF MATERIALS USED
2. HANUMAN HOUSE
A. TYPES OF MATERIAL USES
3. COMPARISON BETWEEN UPADHYAYA HOUSE AND HANUMAN HOUSE
CHAPTER 6
6.1 Columns
6.2 Door
6.3 Roofing
CHAPTER 9
7.1 Present Condition
7.2 Importance of Proposals
CHAPTER 10
Learnings
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 – Introduction
Villages surrounding
Brahmavar
1.2 – Aim
The aim of this study is to document the historical village, Brahmavar
to understand the construction methods used in that period.
Contextual study to understand Climate, Geography, Culture and its
relation to the built form was the main purpose of the Study.
This process involved creation of rasterized copies of its map, selecting
areas and houses for in depth study, measuring the dwellings,
analysing the condition of the village, deducing the requirements,
observing their daily activity pattern and occupation structure. All the
data collected from the process was documented in the form of
drawings, maps and report.
1.3 – Objectives
The main objective of this exercise is to develop an understanding on
the typology seen in Brahmavara and influence of the vernacular style.
This project is expected to help the students understand how the
surroundings and the climate influenced the styles of that period and
also to sharpen their methods of documentation of historical area.
1.4 – Organization
BRAHMAVAR
Pre-Site Task
Students were selected to rasterize the google map image in order to
provide a base map of Brahmavar to scale. The task was completed
with the help of faculties well versed in AutoCAD and other software.
The maps were then circulated and printed. The survey question was
framed and circulated as well. With the guidance of the faculties train
ticked and hotels were booked and well organized.
All the students were divided by the faculty members as per the
knowledge of the students. the groups were divided in equal numbers.
each team was allotted with assessments.
On Site
Design faculty took students to the village and gave them a brief history
about the village. After the brief introduction given by our faculty we
were allowed to carry forward our assessments. All the assessment
went on simultaneously. The survey team surveyed more than 60
buildings (a mix of residential, commercial and religious buildings).
Three streets were selected and surveyed by the street survey team.
Two houses were selected and studied in detail. The Mahalineshwara
temple were studies in detail. Sketches of the elevation, streets and
houses along with its plan were sketched.
Post-Site Visit
The map rasterized before the visit was not accurate and needed few
corrections. The vegetation team added all the flora that were not
present on the map. The land use, mapping team added the buildings
that were either missing or newly added. once the corrections were
done the maps were printed for presentation purpose.
The housing typology data was translated onto butter sheets for our
design mentors to review and correct. When the corrections were
made and the expectations clarified we transferred them onto
AutoCAD as well as sheets for presentation. We drafted out all the
streets, the plans, the sections, the intricate details and also the
materials used.
The report team then segregates all the data from the Primary
surveying team under different categories and then the secondary data
were made use to develop pie charts and the timelines. The library of
google scholar was scoured for information on Brahmavar history,
location, topography and other features.
While analysing the village and its necessities a location was narrowed
down for us to put up a design proposal. The site identified was located
in Barkur village we were asked to design a lodge for the same
simultaneously.
1.6 Resources
As soon as the students were given the village that has to be
documented they went through various source in order to get
information’s on the village. Students also printed AutoCAD drawings
of the village to mark the surveyed house, points of interest and routes
easier.
1.8 Significance
The documentation of Brahmavar, a rural settlement was to obtain
real-life experience of the still existing vernacular architecture
exclusive to the Northern Karnataka provinces. The motive of this rural
study was to understand how vernacular architecture works in
relation to the region, terrain, climate and the locally available
materials while also keeping in mind the needs and whims of the
clientele and use them in our projects to make our designs climate
friendly, sustainable and also ensure the conservation of the age-old
vernacular style specific to that area.
1.11 Limitations
Brahmavar is located 13 kilometre north of Udupi and 68 kilometres
north of Mangalore, therefore the total distance from Bangalore to
Udupi is 403.1 kms. The means to travel is either by train or via road.
It takes approximately 9 hours to reach the settlement thus making it
difficult for us to repeatedly visit and correct our analysis.
The are no lodge or hotel in the village, requiring us to arrange our stay
in the city (Udupi). We had to stay at Hotel Mother Palace and Hotel
Royal Inn.
We had to travel back and forth from our stay to the village becoming
an obstacle in our study.
The village is not documented and the resource available was very
minimal.
CHAPTER 2: HISTORY
The term Udupi (also Udupi) is synonymous with vegetarian food now
found all over the world. The origin of this cuisine is linked to Krishna
Matha (Mutt). Lord Krishna is offered food of different varieties every
day, and there are certain restrictions on ingredients during
Chaturmasa (a four-month period during the monsoon season). These
restrictions coupled with the requirement of variety led to innovation,
especially in dishes incorporating seasonal and locally available
materials. This cuisine was developed by Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins
who cooked food for Lord Krishna, and at Krishna Matha in Udupi, the
food is provided free of cost. Restaurants specialised in Udupi cuisine
can be seen widely in most metropolitan and large cities around the
length and breadth of India.
Although popular for its vegetarian cuisine, Udupi has its fair share of
non-vegetarian dishes that are similar to Tuluva or Mangalorean
cuisine. Some of these include Kori Roti, Kori Pulimunchi, Chicken
Sukka, and more.
2.3 BRAHMAVAR
Brahmavar is a main Road Town on NH 66 (formerly NH 17), located 13
kilometres (8.1 mi) north of the Udupi in Karnataka, India. It has been
mentioned "Lord Brahma's Vara or Ajapura". It is an ancient cultural
centre of the Coastal Karnataka being adjacent to Barkur.
It is believed that the Mahalineshwara temple was constructed in the
9th century AD. The wall of the temple is built on the laterite stones.
There is an image of Gaja-Gowri, which has been kept in Navaranga,
which perhaps belongs to the Hoysala period. It is holding Ankusha and
Pasha in the upper hand and Padma (lotus) in right lower, and the left
lower hand in the abhaya pose. Handadi near Brahmavara was the
settlement of the Hande family, a family of Brahmins from Northern
India. Gopinatha temple is mentioned in an inscription that it is the
third temple. The image of the presiding deity is of Hoysala
workmanship.
CHAPTER 3: GEOGRAPHY
1- GARBAGRIHA
2- ARDHAMANDAPA
3- MAHAMANDAPA
4- NANDI SHRINE
5-SIDE ENTRANCE
6- LAMP
7- CLOISTERS
8- KITCHEN
9- OPEN WELL
Plan 9- ADMIN OFFICE
10- MANDAPAS
11-GOPURADWARA
12-BALIPEETHA
13- DWAJASTHAMBA
Side elevation
• According to the data collected during the early hours of the day,
the sun’s position is south-east.
• Hence there is a gradation in the shadows as the sun moves.
• The north part of the courtyard and the mandapa experiences
shade and hence, are the most comfortable spaces through the
day at any point of time.
CHAPTER 4: Maps
This was a way for us to analyse what purpose each built space was
used for. We had door to door interactions with almost all the villagers
in order to come up with the data shown above.
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
RELIGIOUS
a. STREETS
PRIMARY ROAD
The width of the road is three times greater than the height of the
residential buildings. Hence proper shade is not provided to the
pedestrians. Street lights are provided throughout the road and hence
has no dark zones.
SECONDARY ROADS
The width of the road is double the height of the building. Hence only
half the road is provided with proper shade. Street lights are not
provided in secondary roads.
TERTIARY ROADS
The width of the road is half the height of the residential building.
Hence proper shade is provided to the pedestrians. Absence of street
lights and hence is a dark zone.
b. AGRICULTURE /PLANTATION
• The climatic condition of Brahmavar has a very Hot and humid
type with significant rainfall with a short Dry climate.
• Due to the climatic condition, more tree plantation is
Required for shading purposes.
• Trees are seen near houses, empty ground and also along
pathways.
• Regions marked in green are vacant lands and marked in
Brown are grounds.
• Which are the most suitable conditions for coconut, palm and
Mango trees.
• And hence the vegetation in Brahmavara is mainly dominated
by these trees like banana.
People
6-10am
• Educational activities near the school causes traffic
congestion as vehicles need to wait for the safe crossing of the
little children.
• More number of devotees visit the temple with their
offerings.
• The shops open by 9:00-9:30 am.
• People were spotted buying milk and newspapers as a part of
domestic activities.
10AM-12NOON
• Transport vehicles carrying goods starts to show up.
• The commercial stores were engaging with customers.
• The temple is shut down for lunch at 12:00am.
• People have moved away from the temple and school areas.
• Activity mapping
5-8 PM
• Evening aarthi takes place at 6:00pm. A large amount of
people come for darshan.
• There is a shift in the street character. The street lights were
switched on after sunset.
• Shops were closing at 7:00pm-7:30pm
8-10 PM
• The main activities of the street die out by 8:00pm.
• Most of the people go back home for household activities.
5.2: House
1. UPADYAYA HOUSE
• This house was built during British period nearly 100 years
ago.
• It is mainly in rectangular plan 18.2m x 16.2m
• The house was built using mud bricks, jaggery, grass and lime
was used as plastering material.
• Timber is used for doors, columns, beams
• There are 3 rooms (3x7.5m ,4.7x4.6m ,2.9x2.8m) few rooms
do not have windows, they do not have proper ventilation or
lighting.
• The entry towards the north as the portico and towards west
there is veranda.
• Doctor’s clinic towards north is a recent addition
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
KITCHEN
HANUMAN TEMPLE
AMBULATORY PATH
CIRCULATION
SPACE
WASHROOM
PLAN
NORTH ELEVATION
6.1 COLUMNS
There were two different types of columns observed during our visit to
different houses. The simplest of them was the timber columns and the
second type of columns observed was the concrete columns.
TIMBER COLUMN CONCRETE COLUMN
There were 4 different types of column observed in the temple the first
one being timber column at the cloister with a simple octagonal form with
a circular top and bottom. the second type of column was the concrete
masonry columns which was present inside the gopuram it was
rectangular at the top due to presence of brackets and octagonal in the
middle with a square base. The third type of columns was observed
outside the gopuram in the seating area with a square capital and a
square base the column was ornamented. The fourth type of column
observed was at the gopuram.
6.3 ROOFING
The majority of the residential roofing system in Brahmavara is
Mangalore tiles with timber frames.
Mangalore tiles
Wooden frames
MANGALORE
TILES
LATERITE STONE
CHAPTER 8: LEARNINGS
During the visit to Brahmavar, a village in the north of Udupi,
Karnataka is a settlement on the banks of a river Suvarna And Seetha.
We learnt the style adapted in the northern region of Karnataka with
relevance to architecture. The roofs were made to keep the house cool
and temperate. The walls were thick and insulating to the heat on the
outside. The windows were small and enough to ventilate the interiors
whereas they ensured that the interiors didn’t heat up. All of these
features in a house were built keeping in mind the climatic conditions
of the region which is an important inference.
We also learnt that establishments can be beautiful even without as
many materials as available in the city. Only locally available materials
like wood, bamboo and stone were used to build all the spaces
necessary. We understood the requirements of people of various
origins and also their preferences in improvements. Tapping into the
traditional vernacular style of architecture of any Indian village is like
learning architecture from the beginning with a whole new perspective