History of Architecture I&II

Module 3
KERALA ARCHITECTURE Semester 1 & 2 - 1st Year
B.Arch - MG University

Prepared By: Ar.Vishnu P Prakash Assistant Professor B.Arch, M.Arch - Architectural Conservation SCMS School of Architecture
Contents

Module II
Architecture in Kerala:
•Pre-historic built structures of Kerala: Megalithic structures- Dolmens, Umbrella stones, Burial caves, Cave temples.
•Influencing factors of indigenous architecture in Kerala: Geography, Climate, Building materials, Social, Political, Religious and Traditional
planning principles.
•Indigenous residential architecture of Kerala-1: Characteristics of sala typology of houses – Development of four types of sala house
configuration, Evolution and expansion of ekasala, catusala and other complex courtyard based residential typology, example of ekasala
(Thampuran, 2001 p. 143), example of catusala: (Thampuran, 2001 p. 154), example of complex sala: Pathinarukettu (Thampuran, 2001 p. 201), One
example of Muslim and Christian Tharavadu.
•Indigenous religious architecture of Kerala: Characteristics of Kerala temple architecture- Types of Kerala ‘Sreekovils’(Moola-prasada) Five
types- with/without Antharala and with/without Mukhamandapa.
Schematic layout of a full-fledged Kerala temple with names of important structures. Sectional elevation of a typical Kerala Sreekovil (Moola-
prasada).
Architectural characteristics of Kerala type mosques and churches (Study of relevant examples).
 INDIGENOUS RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE OF KERALA

•Characteristics of sala typology of houses

•Development of four types of sala house

configuration

•Evolution and expansion of ekasala, catusala and

other complex courtyard based residential typology

•Example of ekasala (Thampuran, 2001 p. 143)

•Example of catusala (Thampuran, 2001 p. 154)

•Example of complex sala: Pathinarukettu (Thampuran,

2001 p. 201)

•One example of Muslim and Christian Tharavadu.

 Residential Building Types

❖ Traditionally residential
buildings can be categorised
into four types:
❖ Ekasala (one unit house)
❖ Dvisala (two unit house)
❖ Trisala (three unit house)
❖ Catussala (four unit house)
Designation of Salas
 Ekasala (one unit house)

❖ Ekasala is known as
dandakasala meaning a hall
shaped like a stick.
❖ It is the simplest and primary
form of residential building.
❖ It is a unit structure of one bay
width with a hipped roof
supported on one or more
horizontal utharams (wall
plate)
 Dvisala (two unit house)
❖ Dvisala is a combination of two salas.
❖ According to the categorisation followed
in Kerala only a structure with
independent arudham for both salas in
termed as dvisala.
❖ Mayamata & Manasara silpasastra
categorise divisala with respect to the
plan shape as langala (L shaped)
❖ The two salas of a dvisala can be
physically separated or combined, but
roofs of the salas as structurally
independent.
❖ This separation is visible in roof and
floor plan as antarala.
❖ The antarala (ante space) of the
physically combined structure is used
either as a communication space.
 Trisala (three unit house)

❖ Trisala is a combination of
three independent salas it is
known as surpa (U shaped or
winnowing basket shaped) in
Mayamata and Manasara.
❖ The four combination of trisala
type of buildings.
 Catussala (four unit house)

❖ A cutusala results by the

combination of all the four
salas around a central yard.
❖ Manasara names catussala as
caturmukha (having four faces
or four directions
SELECTION OF RESIDENTIAL SITE
SALAS
PRINCIPLES IN MEASUREMENTS
PROPORTIONS OF SALA
VERTICAL PROPORTIONS OF SALA
ELEMENTS OF BUILDING
ROOF PROFILES IN KERALA
VARIATION OF ROOF FORMS IN KERALA
EXAMPLES OF EKASALA
EXAMPLES OF EKASALA
EXAMPLES OF EKASALA
CORE EXTENSIONS OF EKASALA
 Description of the Nambudiri Illam

❖ The illams of the affluent Nambudiri families of Trichur are self

contained complex of buildings in a wide secluded compound.
❖ The complex consists of – one or two storied Nalukettu building –
An entrance gate (Padipura) – One or more tanks for bathing
❖ Optional buildings such as a Granary, a Kitchen for feeding guests
and a Shrine or a Temple itself.
 Description of the Nambudiri Illam

❖ There are four wings Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western.

❖ The built structures were on the southern and the western wings
❖ The granary on the south has solid walls of laterite or wood.
❖ The western block is generally raised, open hall with columns
which support the floor above. It is here that the official ceremonies
take place and the men also learn or sleep
❖ The corner room at the north west is used for storage or for sleeping
 Description of the Nambudiri Illam

❖ The puja room is located on the north or in the east next to the
kitchen.
❖ The practical reasons for not building on the northern and eastern
sides are to allow the escape of smoke and to minimize the chance of
an external fire.
❖ The corner rooms were segregated form the main blocks.
❖ They are separated by corridors, stairwells and doors going to the
outside. These rooms are not considered for rituals and are used as
entrance rooms, bedrooms, the delivery rooms (south east corner) or
occasionally for storage (north west corner)
 Women Spaces

❖ Women were considered inferior to men and they were not allowed to
enter into the main courtyard except for their marriage and at death.
❖ In houses with one courtyard back spaces were added next to kitchen.
❖ Accesses to main pooja room and to one or two bedrooms were only
through a back door.
❖ Future expansions:
❖ The additions in the last century show a slow moving towards modern
times.
❖ Houses with more than one courtyard were built and expanded without
much constraint as the ritual rules applied only to the first courtyard.
 Nair Tharavadu of Kerala:
❖ The Nairs are the race of people living in the state of Kerala and constitute 16% of the state
population
❖ The concept of the house is rural, located near paddy fields in fenced compounds with palm,
banana and other fruit bearing trees with a well or tank for water supply.
❖ The Nair house is also called a Veedoo
❖ The tharavad houses were joint families with 30-40 members in a matriarchial system.
❖ The head of the tharavad was the oldest male member.
❖ Security and defence played a vital role in determining the orientation, layout and future
additions.
❖ The courtyard and the wings surrounding it from the basic module
❖ The house type is classified by the number of such modules – Nallukettu – four chambers –
Ettukettu – eight chambers
❖ Padinarkettu – sixteen chambers
Description of the Nair Tharavad

❖ The number of courtyards and the house annexes are an

indication of the social standing and the wealth of the family.
❖ The principles of siting, spatial arrangement of rooms, choice of
building materials, measurements and construction details were
based on Vastu Vidhya and Tachhushastram
❖ Nine house types are identified on the basis of courtyards and
enclosing wings
❖ 14 house classifications according to primary building materials
 Spatial Configuration
❖ It is self contained and introvert complex of buildings each
enclosing an open to sky courtyard.
❖ The central courtyard is the focal point of the house
❖ The main rooms are located on the western wing
❖ Rooms on the northern side are used for cooking
❖ The rooms on the southern sides are used for the daily household
activities
❖ Steep pyramidal roofs with a 45 degree pitch, deep overhangs,
shaded verandas and cross ventilation are a response to intense
sun, heavy rainfall and humidity.
Thank You