SEMI ARID TROPICAL REGION OF

MADHYA PRADESH
Noeen Fatma
I-A

Hot semi-arid climates tend to be in the tropics and subtropics. These climates tend to have hot,
sometimes extremely hot summers and warm to cool winters, with some to minimal precipitation.
Hot semi-arid climates are most commonly found around the fringes of subtropical deserts.

The semi-arid tropical climatic zone in Madhya Pradesh is flanked by the subtropical Thar desert. The
average temperature of the region is 13 degree Celsius to 29 degree Celsius in January, and 26 degree
Celsius to 42 degree in June. But on the other hand, this area also experiences the seasonal effects of
monsoons and feature short but well-defined wet seasons. The average annual rainfall ranges from
50to 100cm.

In Madhya Pradesh, tribal folk form an important part of population and primitive tribal communities
as Bhil, Gond, Baiga inhabit the area. The tribes have developed varied ethnic cultures and habitats
but overall the their vernacular architecture corresponds to the topographical characteristics of the
region.
The tendency of this region to have hot summers makes the concept of thermal comfort of a building
come into play. Thermal comfort requires low solar gain, ventilation and adequate natural lighting. In
Monsoon protection for dwellers as well as cattle is required.

All these above ideal requirements for a climate responsive dwelling in semi-arid tropical area gives
rise to the vernacular architecture of the tribes- which is also influenced greatly by their culture and
belief systems. The main characteristics of the vernacular architecture of tribes of central India are:
The tribal vernacular architecture of Madhya Pradesh is more remarkable for its occasional details
rather than its overall layout.

Structure
Houses consists of one or two rooms. Framework of walls is made with longitudinally halved
bamboos or locally available

Infill
Walls made in thick-mud walls for thermal
mass.
Roof
Sloping roofs-for making the dwelling
accommodate for the monsoon rains. They
are either two slope or four slope made by
Figure 1: Sloping Roofs (roman pot tiles)
bamboo and grass thatch and roman tiles (all locally available material). These tiles are cheap and
easily available here

Details and Features

Machaan: the space between roof and
ceiling(attic)- creates an air pocket and
hence provide thermal insulation.
Walls made up of thick mud mixed with
rice husk and grass for strength.

Figure 2: Sloping Roofs (thatch)

Walls are plastered off with locally available mud called

Chhui.
Walls are either whitewashed in white or light blue colour.
Flooring- a mixture of soft mud and cow dung.

Placement of Openings
Only small openings in the wall for
ventilation- to reduce the heat gain.
A very low (short in height) entrance is
provided to reduce
heat gain.

Materials
Materials employed in construction are all
locally available- roman pot tiles (burnt clay
Figure 3: Typical Section showing Machaan tiles) for roofs, bamboo and timber for
framework and structure, thick mud plaster.