DEVELOPING

PATTERNS OF TRIBAL
LIVELIHOODS

ARCHITECTURAL THESIS - 2020

SYNOPSIS / JUSTIFICATION

KARTHIKA.S
311415251026
 INTRODUCTION

The tribal population is identified as the aboriginal inhabitants of our

country. They are seen in almost every State of India. For centuries, they have been
living a simple life based on the natural environment and have developed cultural
patterns congenial to their physical and social environment.
References of such tribes groups are found even in the literature on the ancient
period, right from RAMAYANA and the MAHABHARATHA periods.

The tribes of India play a key part in constructing the cultural heritage of India.
The development of tribal population as been a major concern of the government.
The numbers of south India tribes are perhaps unlimited with their miscellaneous
existence, which has now gained popularity throughout the country.

The tribes the comprise significant number of population ranging from dwindling
to massive, these tribes are engaged in activity lie tea or coffee or mass milk
producing.
Tribe of Kerala are perhaps the most unique among all the south Indian tribes
discussed. Residing basically in the mountainous terrain of the state, they have
been striving to uphold their indigenous tradition and customs from any foreign
influence.

• Broadly speaking the tribals baby geographically located in four  groups:

-North East- Asia: Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya ,Nagaland.
-Eastern India :West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa.
-Central and western India: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of
Maharashtra and  northern - Andhra Pradesh.
-Southern India: the hilly regions of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Western and
northern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

• Meaning of Tribe:
As the name implies tribals are aadivasi or original dwellers, living in the
subcontinent from the unrecorded time and possibly driven into the forest by
more aggressive settlers Aryans being the earliest one of the socially subjugate
them.
The term ‘tribe’ have not been defined clearly anywhere in the indian constitution.
Only the term ‘Scheluduled Tribe’ explained as “the tribe or thr tribal
communities or parts of or group within tribes or tribal communities”. These
groups are presumed to form the oldest ethnological sector of the people.

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 The term ‘Adivasi’ ( Adi = original and Vasi = inhabitant) has become
current among certain people. The International Labour Organisation has classified
such people as ‘indigenous’. According to ILO conventions the aboriginals or tribals
have been defined as the “tribals or semi tribal groups of the independent countries
deprived socially or economically and having their own customs, traditions and traits
or they have their own special customary laws/ conventions.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the design is to study the context and propose an architectural
approach for extending the availability of education and better living among the
tribe minorities down South India. By investing technical possibilities to establish
these facilities in the vicinity of remote tribal settlements, thus minimising the
distance between schools and settlements.
Potentially, the proposed model could contribute in social inclusion of all age
groups of tribal communities, directly increasing literacy rates among them.
Literal skills enable communication and a way to exchange cultural knowledge
with surrounding ‘MAINSTREAM’ society.
Access to adequate education is among the greatest factors to advance sustainable
development.It helps indigenous people to acknowledge their rights, retain or
improve their livelihoods and keep control over the crucial natural resources of
their environment.

OBJECTIVES
To provide development and spaces in their own style for their economic
betterment and a public coverage.
To identify the unique architectural character of the particular settlement.
To identify the influences on vernacular architecture.
To study about the culture, art, tradition and religious beliefs of the tribal people.

• Materials Sustainability :
As the social proportion of the matter is wide and implies a serial production of
any proposed construct developed, the environmental sustainability is important.
Use of locally produced, renewable raw material for the main components of the
structure contributes - among other impacts - to the mitigation of carbon emissions
and global warming, whereas certain phases of the process would require a
mechanised industrial process resulting in more emissions, but potentially more
durable product.

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 THE DESIGN CRITERIA SET FOR PROPOSAL AND THE THRUST AREA ARE :
CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES

TECHNICAL AND STRUCTURAL ADAPTABILITY

The design should be transportable to and from different locations, some of which
can be remote or poorly accessible. Local human resources can be used for the
assembly with mechanical assistance, but heavy machinery should not be
required. The elements should be light enough to be handled and moved around
by average people.
Infrastructural service networks (electricity, water, sewage) may not be available
at intended locations, thus the design should be able to provide them to a degree
of self-sufficiency.
The principles of the construction system should be simple enough for unskilled
workers and planners to conceive. The tribal administration, recreational spaces
as operator should be capable of planning and producing different plan
configurations, as well as varying sizes of units.

PROTECTION AGAINST CLIMATE

The design should be capable of withstanding and providing protection against

changing natural circumstances typical to tropical climate, most prominently
intense solar heat and heavy rainfall, which are common occurrences. A few
regions of Kerala are prone to flooding and earthquakes.

LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The proposed concept should aim at minimal use of non-renewable or

unrecyclable resources. The importance of this is proportional to production
volume. The environmental criteria are partially compromised by technical and
climatical requirements, thus the chosen solutions may represent the optimal
choice.When the structure is not intended to remain permanently on its site, 
physical intervention to the site is to be minimised.

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 SPECIAL STUDY
The design would focus on the sustainable built environment of the district in
general and detail on Wayanad’s remote tribes.

INTENDED TOPICS

- Built environment and Life style.

- Cultural and Social economic aspects.
- Factors of influence on settlement planning.
- Materials and construction.
- Indigenous ideas in planning and designing.

SCOPE / BUILT FORMS

VILLAGE CENTRE :
- ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK
- PRIMARY SCHOOL
- HEALTH CENTRE
- TEMPORARY LIVING SHELTERS

TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE CENTRE :

- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

- TRAINING INSTITUTE
- WORKSHOP SHELTERS / SHOPS
- AUDITORIUM
- SMALL SCALE-MARKET AREA
- EXHIBITION AREA

RECREATIONAL SPACES :

- RELIGIOUS SPACES
- COMMON KITCHEN / RESTAURANTS
- GUEST HOUSES

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 PROPOSED SITE AREA :

Wayanad, Kerala, India.

Wayanad is an Indian district in the north-east
WAYANAD of Kerala state. It is set high on the Western
Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100
meters. About 885.92 sq.km of area of the
district is under forest. There are many
indigenous tribals in this area.

The Wayanad have the largest tribal population in Kerala with 8 scheduled tribes
including Adiyan, Paniyan, Mullukkurman, Kurichyan, Vettakkuruman Wayanad
Kadar, Kattuniakkan and Thachaanadan Mooppan. These communities have a
number of symbolic oral narratives and these tribes will be benefited through this
design proposal.

WAYANAD, KERALA.

KARNATAKA

Mananthavady

KERALA

TAMIL NADU

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 JUSTIFICATION

Site Details :

Location : Mananthavady ,
Wayanad,
Kerala - 673592
Total Area : 365,805 sq.m
Acres : 90

Why ?

Mananthavady is a municipality and taluk in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India.

The town is located on the banks of Mananthavady River, a tributary of the Kabini
River. The Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha is headquartered in the town, and the
district hospital in Mananthavady is the only major treatment facility for the tribal
communities of Wayanad
This proposed site satisfies the condition in terms of climate and water body for
the tribal development. The proposed site is also surrounded by scenic views.
Transportation :

The proposed site is adjacent to the Kabini River. The nearest railway station is at
Vatakara, 65 km (40 mi) away. A Thalassery–Manathavady–Mysore railway line is
being planned. The nearest airport is Kannur International Airport at Mattannur,
66 km (41 mi) away. Mysore Airport is 109 km (68 mi) away, followed by
Kozhikode International Airport at 120 km (75 mi) and Bengaluru International
Airport at 290 km (180 mi).

Climate :

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 JUSTIFICATION

The subject of this Design is the conceptual study of the elements comprising a
prefabricated modular school , living units, developing & also bringing out their
own cultural activities, native skills for the Tribal - rural village areas. The unit
would provide a facility for preparatory education in varying rural environments
and also developes better living economy.
The context is very wide and complex, and due to difficulties in the acquisition of
information on everyday situations, the study focuses on the material and
structural properties of a modular architectural concept.
The study is essentially conceptual and provides a crude model for a prototype.
Further stages are acknowledged as essential areas of study, but their deeper
investigations are excluded from this design.

CASE STUDY / LITERATURE STUDY :

- Fabian Ostner’s low-imprint Bobby’s House / Wood House - Fabian Ostner.

- Scared Groves - The Trails of a Sustainable housing Experiment|Auroville.
- (AVEI) Auroville Earth Institute|Auroville.
- (ABC) Auroville Bamboo Center|Auroville.

Jetvana Buddist Centre| Pune.

Makoko Floating School/ Moving School| Nigeria.

REFERENCES :

https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/a-trip-through-aurovilles-design-trail/
https://fabianostner.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/built-projects-klaras-house-in-auroville/
www.nleworks.com
www.inhabitat.com
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/46575347/Tribal-Resource-Center
http://journals.rajagiri.edu/index.php/rssJ/article/view/199/188
http://journals.rajagiri.edu/index.php/rssJ/article/view/199/188
https://cargocollective.com/uplift

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