VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

HIMACHAL PRADESH

KERALA

SUBMITTED BY
SUBMITTED TO ARCHANA MORAN
AKSHETA SHARMA
SHEENA KAUL
HIMACHAL PRADESH
 KATH – KHUNI STYLE

Kath- Khuni basically means ‘timber –

cornered.’ This style has proved to be one of
the most effective ways to possess high
seismic resistance.
The walls of a Kath- Khuni structure are
constructed by alternate layering of wood and
stone. This style of layering gives more
bending and sheer strength to the structure
to resist earthquakes.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF KATH KHUNI STYLE OF CONSTRUCTION ARE:

1. It does not require highly skilled labour or specialized tool.
2. Heavy walls impart thermal insulation by providing time lag of more than 8 hours
(for conductance) which keeps the room warm in winter and cool in summer.
3. ‘Gravity’ is the only glue that holds the stone in their place.
4. The technique of stacking imparts flexibility and stability that allows the walls to
adjust to the foundation which is plus point for the buildings in earthquake prone
sites.
INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE

Cold and cloudy climate.

Southern slopes are preferred for
orientation of the houses so as to
maximize penetration of the sun
rays.
The height of the building varies at
different altitudes and are
designed in accordance with the
sun path.
Geometry and Configuration

1. The geometry of the rooms is almost a square and the ratio of sides is within
3:2 which helps in reducing the excessive strain on the longer walls.
2. The plan is rectangular and has straight elevation. This helps in having the
best chance of withstanding an earthquake because the inertia forces are
transferred without having to bend due to the geometry of the building.
3. A typical house is a G+1 and a half or a G+2 and a half; where the attic is
considered as half.
4. The ground floor is used as a shelter for cattle to protect them from harsh
climate in winter and from the wild animals.
5. The other floors are the living spaces of the people. They have balconies for
various household purposes.
6. The typical building has a maximum of one or two doors other than the main
door.
7. The size of the door is reduced to about 1.5m to 1.8m. The reduced height
helps in trapping the warm air inside the room and reduces the flow of cool
air from entering the room. The openings and the doors are kept small and
have heavy wooden reinforcement frames which help to bear the
accumulated stress.
MATERIALS USED

Slate stone
- Used for foundation
- Used for wall

Wood
- Used for flooring
- Used for wall
- Used for rafters in roof
- Wooden plank used for balcony
- Wooden post
- Used for logs
Preparing flat land
The land available is mostly contoured. Depending upon the
slope, a flat base platform is prepared by cut and fill method
and then a dry stone gravity retaining wall is constructed. The
retaining wall on the open side is in the ratio 1:1 (i.e., half of the
wall is above and the other half is below the soil level) and for
the other retaining wall, 1/4th of it is below the soil and 3/4th is
above the soil level.

Foundation
A trench is made on the flat land prepared which is about 1
1/2ft. wide and the depth depends on the load bearing
capacity of the soil. (Avg. depth – 3 to 4 ft.). The central space
of the trench is filled with slate stone of height 1ft which acts
as the plinth on which the building is erected.
Wall system

• The name Kath- Khuni itself says ‘timber- cornered.’ The arrangement of stone and
wood is made in such a way that the corner of the wall consist completely of wood.

• Starting from the stone base, the wall is constructed by alternate layering of wood and
stone.
• Larger stones are kept on the outer walls and at
corners of the wall to provide stability.

• Timber beams between the layers of stone forms

a rectangular frame.

• The gap between the timber beams is filled with

rubble to give mass and support to the frame.

• As the construction proceeds vertically, the height

of the stone layer decreases until it is only wooden
frames stacked on top of another.

• ‘Slate shingles rest on the wooden frame and are

used as roof tiles.
• Low pitched roof provides a solution to rain water