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NORTH-EAST VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND BIOCLIMATISM

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33169.68965

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 Bioclimatism and Vernacular Architecture of North-East India

ROHIT SONOWAL
(Student), 8th Semester
Department of Planning and Architecture,
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India,
saikia.rohit0@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Vernacular architecture is the term used to categories methods of construction, which use locally available
resources and traditions to meet local needs. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the
environmental, cultural and historical context in which it exists. Same way this is based on bioclimatic concepts
and developed over centuries. Here a study was done between the various housing types in various parts of Assam
and a part of Manipur, which has a similar climatic feature as that of the hilly areas of Assam forming a
macroclimate and how they respond to the bioclimatic aspects. The study was based on materials used, ventilation
techniques and different techniques to tackle the climatic conditions.

Keywords: Climate, Bioclimatic, Vernacular, Building Materials, Culture

INTRODUCTION

India possesses a large variety of climate ranging from extremely hot conditions in desert region like
Rajasthan to serve cold conditions at high altitude locations like Kashmir. Similarly the north-east region of the
country which consists of seven states- Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and
Tripura. The whole region is classified into three major bioclimatic zones: warm and humid, cool and humid, and
cold and cloudy.

Fig.: Different Bioclimatic Zones (Singh et al, 2008)

 Bioclimatic architecture refers to the design of buildings and spaces (interior – exterior – outdoor) based on
local climate, aimed at providing thermal and visual comfort, making use of solar energy and other environmental
sources. Basic elements of bioclimatic design are passive solar systems, which are incorporated onto buildings and
utilize environmental sources (for example, sun, air, wind, vegetation, water, soil, sky) for heating, cooling and
lighting the buildings.

Assam has a wide range of bioclimatic zones but mostly warm and humid for a climate as such various
techniques are to be taken into care like ventilation to take care of the high humidity in the area and even various
ideas are used to tackle the high rainfall in that area and the building materials and building techniques also
influence the comfort in a building here we will discuss about the various techniques used and the influence in the
building. Here the strategies are mostly discussed for the warm and humid zone and a study was even done on the
architecture of a cold and humid part at Manipur to help out in case of macro climate formed at the hilly parts of
Assam.

A study was even made on the building plans, socio- cultural set up and solar passive features.

DIFFERENT BIOCLIMATIC ZONES IN ASSAM

A. LOWER ASSAM
This part of Assam is generally warm and humid. “Materials used are the locally available
materials like bamboo, cane, mud, lime and bricks are used in different proportions effectively and
efficiently. Traditionally build houses are generally has a wooden framed structure. The main construction
materials are wood, mud blocks and baked bricks. Surkhi is used to fix the bricks in pukka building. The
main advantage of using wood is because it is hard, resistant to moisture and has poor thermal conductivity.
The first floor is made completely of wood and the ground floor is made of brick masonry to make the
structure free from dampness of ground. In some cases, half of the wall is made with brick and the other
half is made of wood.” (Singh et al, 2008)
(Surkhi: mixture of powdered burnt bricks, brick- bats or burnt clay and quick lime.)

These techniques used in construction helps in keeping the temperature inside the house cooler
or more comfortable in terms of the modern pukka houses. The techniques used also make the building
cost effective because of the construction techniques that are locally practiced, the materials used are
locally available, and this makes the building much lighter and make it more resistant to the seismic
activities as the area falls under the Zone IV of the seismic zone.

BIOCLIMAIC FEATURES IN BUILDING DESIGN

The zone has a high humidity and excessive rainfall so the entrances are pulled inside to prevent
the rain water to enter the house, as rain is a major problem there to minimize the effect half of the walls
are made of brick masonry and the other half is made of wood or bamboo which prevents the ground
humidity from entering the building, in some cases the houses are even made on a higher platform which
is about 30cm high from the ground level, again roofs are slanted on two or more sides and even over
hanged to protect the walls from rain. Air gaps is maintained in the lower side of ceiling between two
layers one of bamboo and other of wood, which reduces the heat, gained inside the building. In verandas
a vertical wooden structure is used which blocks the afternoon sun, excess humidity in air is tackled by
providing many openings and vegetation are used for shading.

The ideas are all traditionally practices ones but interestingly they all respond to climate very well
in this area of Assam the people’s uses many other techniques even, which enhance the ventilation inside
the building, which helps in keeping the interiors comfortable.
 Fig. : The entrance to the building are pulled inside (Singh et al, 2008)

B. UPPER ASSAM
“Materials used are mostly locally available materials like processed mud, wood and bamboo.
Bamboo is used mostly sandwiching it between two layers of mud and is used to make walls. The mud
used is made by mixing cow dung, lime and beaten straw or chopped jute. Earlier the roofs were made of
thatch but now G.I. sheets replaced the scenario.”(Singh et al, 2008)

This part of Assam is humid and has to tackle with the humidity and the high rainfall very well.
Building material used are the indigenous material available which are mud and bamboo. The local peoples
acquired the craftsmanship from the beginning and various different types of walls are even made by just
weaving the walls in various other styles.

BIOCLIMAIC FEATURES IN BUILDING DESIGN

Fig.: Source of passive cooling (Tungnung et al, 2015; 2016)

“Most of the houses are East-West oriented and south facing to receive maximum sunlight. The
wall construction techniques increases the water retention property, which in turn provides
 resistance to temperature.”(Singh et al, 2008)

To tackle the rainfall the houses are oriented according to the sun so that the facades of
the building receives maximum sunlight and helps in drying up the walls faster and thus helps in
the durability of the structure. The walls are taken care by rubbing the same mud mixture in
certain intervals.

C. CHURACHANDPUR, MANIPUR

In Churachandpur, Manipur a houses functions as an evening and a nighttime occupancy

in traditional dwellings due to agricultural occupation. “As concomitants to the cool- humid
climate parameters, resources and socio- cultural praxis, the vernacular habitats are one-room
typologies that afforded inherent flexibility to fulfil multiple functions: dining or living, bed or
lounge, social gatherings, and workspaces for cooking, weaving traditional shawls or bamboo. The
front veranda performs a versatile function workspace, rainwater harvesting from thatch roof, and
social space or enjoy fresh air. People’s culture and lifestyles has made adaptations as a response
to basic human body’s comfort needs by wearing warmth clothes in winter and lighter porous
cotton clothes in summer.”(Tungnung et al, 2015)
This area has a cold and humid climate and thus have to even look on the cold days during
the winters and the humidity during the rain fire spaces are very common in those area and cross
ventilation is appreciated much in the area to fight the humidity. In Churachandpur, the materials
used were again the locally available materials like bamboo, thatch, lime and mud.

Fig.: Temperature (degree Celsius) and relative humidity (percentage) at cold- cloudy climate
(Tungnung et al, 2015; 2016)

Fig.: Temperature (degree Celsius) and relative humidity (percentage) at cold- humid climate
(Tungnung et al, 2015; 2016)
 BIOCLIMATIC FEATURES IN THE BUILDING DESIGN

Air- flow, light and shade due to low thermal conductivity porous envelop and void as
interiors with attic space afford protection to the living and dining hall from the sun. Seamless
connectivity of the interiors and exterior spaces ensures airflow and the connectivity even allows
controlled radiations from sun or the fireplace evenly to all parts of the house.

Fig. : Vernacular habitat in Churachandpur, Manipur (Tungnung et al, 2015; 2016)

D. ASSAM TYPE HOUSE

The vernacular architecture provides a good solution to the climatic constraints of the
region. There can be more than one approaches to solve the same climatic constraints. The local
builders and residents try to take into account the climatic constraints, culture, social, economic
and religion while constructing the built environment. Thus, take into these aspects leads to a new
form of architecture, which the regional peoples call it, an “ASSAM TYPE” house. These houses
are semi pukka or pukka forms of building (modern type) these houses have wooden framed wall
for anti-seismic properties has a roof slanting and facing two or four directions due to rainfall false
ceiling is used to keep the heat away and due to high humidity proper ventilation is done. Made
of mostly locally available materials like bamboo this type of houses are simple, economical (low
cost), satisfies the social setup, cultural needs and meets the local climatic requirements.

The courtyard is a common feature and characteristic form of residential architectural

form in warm and humid climate zone like Assam. It serves as a collector of cool air at night and
a source of shade in the daytime. Assam has more than 50 different tribes and the courtyard is a
place where the different ethnic groups has a number of festivals and has a social gathering during
the celebrations. Humidity in this zone is quite high so the verandas, corridors etc. are very
common and acts as a transition space or buffer space. Large number of windows and ventilators
provides cross ventilation and allows sunlight to enter.
 Fig.: Typical Assam type house with a front courtyard (The northeast today)

Fig. : Modern day Assam type house (NE live, 2018)

Fig.: Typical floor plan of a Assam type house (Singh et al, 2008)

E. CHANG HOUSE
Assam is a flood prone area especially in the banks of the river Brahmaputra, So, houses
are built on a raised platform. The Mishing tribe of Assam resides on the bank of the river
Brahmaputra and believes that since there are tall grasslands and very thick vegetation of reeds in
the banks of river, which attracts many wild elephants so they believe that the elephants do not
attack houses on stilts and hence does not destroy the granaries. (Assamese folk tales).

Fig.: Chang House at the flood plains of Assam (tale of 2 Backpackers)

 RE- INTERPRETATED MODERN ARCHITECTURE

“Envelop elements like wooden louver walls and glazing windows, and adaptive shading
to respond to seasonal changes. Porous envelope with cool air inlet at the ground while the stairs,
porous wood floor acts as hot air outlet and buffer. Adaptive porous louvers and glazing on the
hill facing façade west and south allows natural ventilation and cool hill breeze due to
microclimate effects of cooler hills and hotter residential areas in summer and greenhouse effect
in winter. The verandas interpreted the traditional style of architecture of the integration of
indoor and outdoor functionally for working as well as social space. These passive design
techniques are expected to be better for thermal comfort without air conditioning or with minimal
use of fans.” (Tungnung et al, 2016; 2017)

This is a re-interpreted architecture which is neo- vernacular and bioclimatic aspects are
kept in mind this building consumes less energy and is sustainable which is the future of
architecture.

Fig. : Re- interpreted modern architecture (Tungnung, 2017)

 CONCLUSION
A comparison was tried to be made between the different styles and practices in architecture done in the
various part of the same region, which changed due to various reasons. It may be the local belief, maybe
the local material but surprisingly were perfect for the climate at that region.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank my research advisor Prof. Dr. Khuplianlam Tungnung for helping me throughout
through the process.

REFERENCES
1. Singh, M., et al, 2008. Bioclimatism and vernacular architecture of north-east India, Building and
Environment, 21 march 2008
2. Tungnung, K., 2016. Passive Design with Affordances - Towards Low-energy Architecture in India. PhD
Thesis, Kobe Design University, Kobe, Japan. DOI: info:ndljp/pid/10370502. Available
[Online]: http://id.nii.ac.jp/1100/00000177/
3. Tungnung, K., 2016. Passive Design with Affordances - Towards Low-energy Architecture in
India. Highlights of PhD Thesis, Kobe Design University, Kobe,
Japan. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.10926.77121.
4. Tungnung, K., 2013. Bio-Interface: Biophilia, humans innate affinity to
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Ventilation and Adaptive Shading for Comfort, Churachandpur. Proceedings of 33rd International
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