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Vernacular Architecture - Roof

The document discusses traditional timber roofing technologies used in temples and homes in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Temple roofs have symmetrical steep pitches supported by central posts, with ridge pieces resting on vertical posts. Home roofs also have steep pitches of 40-50 degrees supported by central pillars and principal rafters. Rafters, purlins, and struts are joined using wooden wedges to form the sloped roof structure and large overhanging eaves without nails or other metal fasteners.

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Prashna Shrestha
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262 views13 pages

Vernacular Architecture - Roof

The document discusses traditional timber roofing technologies used in temples and homes in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Temple roofs have symmetrical steep pitches supported by central posts, with ridge pieces resting on vertical posts. Home roofs also have steep pitches of 40-50 degrees supported by central pillars and principal rafters. Rafters, purlins, and struts are joined using wooden wedges to form the sloped roof structure and large overhanging eaves without nails or other metal fasteners.

Uploaded by

Prashna Shrestha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Timber technology

Characteristics
• Assembly of different components using
special joints for each element , nearly always
avoiding the use of fixing devices made from
materials other than wood –
• Easy repair operations, deteriorated
components need to be replaced.
Roofing- temples
• A steep roof pitch and large overhanging
eaves – climatic conditions – monsoon rains
and extreme exposure to sun.
Roofing- temples
• Temple roofs
have
symmetrical
pitches springing
from the central
point of the cell
consisting of
central post
(tha).

Fig : - Biswonath Temple-Patan (courtesy: -


Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003)
Roofing- temples
• Temple roofs
have
symmetrical
pitches springing
from the central
point of the cell
consisting of
central post
(tha).

Fig : - Narayan Temple-Patan (courtesy: - Korn,


W. (1976)
Roofing-temples
• Ridge piece (dhuri) rests on a row of simple vertical
posts (dhuri thas).
• Wallplates (nas) rest on low sleeper walls that are an
extension of lower wall structure, now enclosed in the
roof space and the roof plate (nas)
• Outer side – large overhang supported by an eaves
beam which in turn is supported by carved wooden
struts (tunasi).
• On the inner side rafters are anchored to a tie beam
fixed to the walls – elements joined using wooden
wedges (chukus).
Roofing-home
•Two steep pitches 40
– 50 degrees- full use
of space.

Fig: - Axonometric View of a Newar House


(courtesy: - Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003)
Roofing-home
• Ridge beam rests on central pillar and on the lateral gable walls
to form the structure.

Fig: - Section of Pujari math –Bhaktapur with primary rafters resting on pillar
(courtesy : - Korn, W. 1976)
Roofing-home
• Ridge beam rests on
central pillar and on the
lateral gable walls to form
the structure.
• Two principal rafters tied
up to the central pillar,
leading against the lateral
wall on a wooden plate
which transforms the
thrust to the walls.

Fig: - Axonometric View of a Newar House with primary rafters and gable walls
structure (courtesy: - Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003)
Roofing-home
• Purlins rest on the
principal rafters and
secondary rafters
rest on these purlins
following the slope of
the roof- extends
beyond the wall to
form the overhanging
eaves.

Fig: - Section of pati at Saugal with purlins and roof


(courtesy : - Korn, W. 1976)
Roofing-home
• Two ways of
overhanging
structure -1)
provides support
to the secondary
rafters via an
eaves plate fixed
parallel to wall
and supported by
series of
secondary struts.

Fig: - Overhanging eaves & Struts (tunasi) Type 1 (courtesy:


-Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003)
Roofing-home
• 2) some extra tie beams inserted to provide additional support to
the eaves.
• Wooden elements held together by wooden wedges

Fig: - Overhanging eaves & Struts Type 2 (courtesy: -Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003)
Reading Material
• Korn, W. (1976). Th Traditional Architecture of
Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu, Ratna Pustak
Bhandar
• Bonapace, C. & Sestini, V. (2003) Traditional
Materials and Construction Technologies used
in the Kathmandu Valley, UNESCO, Lalitpur

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