Overview of kerala

Kerala occupies 1.8% of the total land area of India however has a
high density populationof 3%
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It is a scenic state, also called as ‘God’s owncountry’ for its lush landscape
and beauty
 
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Rated among top 50 must see destinationsacross the world by
National Geographic Traveller 

Climatic conditions
Kerala enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year with mild
summer and winters
Has one of the highest rainfall of country with numerous places
having>3000cm
Proximity to sea results in cool winds throughout the year
Good sunshine
Locally available resources
State is rich in wood, bamboo, laterite, stone,mud , clay,
terracotta,lime, palm, and is plentifull in it’s water resources
Materials in construction
Natural building materials – stone, timber , clay, and palm leaves
Laterite : available across the state , is a rare local stone which gets
stronger and durable with exposure to atmospheric air
Laterite blocks may be bonded in mortars of shell lime
Lime mortar : can be improved in strength by admixtures of
vegetable juces
Timber : it is the prime structural material abundantly available in
many varieties in kerala from bamboo to teak perhaps the skilfull
choice of timber, accurate joinery, artful assembly and delicate
carving of woodwork for columns, walls and roof frame are the
unique characteristics
Clay : clay was used in many forms for walling, infilling the timber
floors and making bricksand tiles after pegging and tempering with
admixtures. Palm leaves were used effectively for thatching the roofs
and for making partition walls
Material usage techniques
A mixed mode of construction was evolved inKerala
architecture. The stone work wasrestricted to the plinth even in
importatntbuildings such as temples. Laterite was usedfor
walls. The roof structure in timber wascovered with palm leaf
thatching for mostbuildings and rarely with tiles for palaces
ortemples. The exterior of the laterite wallswere either left as such
or plastered with limemortar to serve as the base for muralpainting.
https://www.academia.edu/3557744/Kerala_Architecture_-_A_Case_study

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/architecture-as-good-as-it-
gets/article8231203.ece

https://www.havenleafarchitecturestudio.com/2018/08/03/benefits-of-kerala-traditional-style-
home-design/

http://www.archiestudio.in/linkages_in_architecture__traditional_to_modern/keralas_traditional_b
uilt_forms#Next

https://www.slideshare.net/faseehun/kerala-architecture

http://www.archiestudio.in/regional_heritage_-_kerala