RAJASTHAN

Contents:
What is Vernacular Architecture Introduction to Rajasthan Climatic Conditions Culture Bikaner Jaisalmer Conclusion

What is vernacular architecture?

It is a term used to categories methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental cultural and historical context in which it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude and unrefined, but also has proponents who highlight its importance in current design. It can be contrasted against polite architecture which is characterized by stylistic elements of design intentionally incorporated for aesthetic purposes which go beyond a building's functional requirements. The building knowledge in vernacular architecture is often transported by local traditions and is thus based largely upon knowledge achieved by trial and error and handed down through the generations. Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great range of different aspects of human behavior and environment leading to differing building forms for almost every different context. One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro climate of the area in which the building is constructed. Buildings in cold climates invariably have high thermal mass or significant amounts of insulation. They are usually sealed in order to prevent heat loss, and openings such as windows tend to be small or non-existent. Buildings in warm climates, by contrast, tend to be constructed of lighter materials and to allow significant cross-ventilation through openings in the fabric of the building. The way of life of building occupants, and the way they use their shelters, is of great influence on building forms. The size of family units, that share which spaces, how food is prepared and eaten, how people interact and many other cultural considerations will affect the layout and size of dwellings, is all considered vernacular architecture.

Introduction

Rajasthan is the second largest state in India located in the northwest. The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from one end to the other, for more than 850 km. The first mention of word Rajasthan appears in James Todd's 1829 publication, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan or the Central and Western Rajpoot States of India

Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There is rich and varied folk culture from villages

which is often depicted and is symbolic of the state. Highly cultivated classical music and dance with its own distinct style is part of the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is uncomplicated and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores more often focused around fetching water from wells or ponds.

Climatic Conditions
Rajasthan weather is usually hot and dry, yet one can see four distinct seasons in this state. These can be classified as Summers, Monsoons, Post-monsoon and Winters. Summer The hottest season of Rajasthan, summer, extends from April to June. The temperature in this season ranges from 32 C to 45 C. Winters Extending from December to March is the winter season. The coldest month of the season is January. The temperature ranges from 10 C to 27 C. Monsoon During the period of July to September, lies the monsoon. The temperature ranges from 35 C to 40 C. The state receives approximately 90% of its annual rainfall in this season only. It is the most humid season in Rajasthan. Post Monsoon From October to November is the post monsoon season. The average maximum temperature ranges between 33 C to 38 C, and the minimum is between 18 C and 20 C.

Culture
Rajasthan has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There is a rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted symbolic of the state. Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts, and for its traditional, colorful art. Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings and bright colours. Block prints, tie and dye prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints and Zari embroidery are major export products from Rajasthan.

Textiles

Sanganer prints

Zari embroidery

BIKANER

Introduction
The district of Bikaner lies almost at the northern most edge of the desert. It is bounded on the north east by Ganganagar district by the district of Churu on the east, Jodhpur and Nagaur on the south and Jaisalmer on the southwest. The surface is for the most part covered with undulating sand hills, varying in height from 10m to over 30m. The land is as dry as a desert can possibly be, with no perennial rivers or streams. During the summer the, heat is instance and hot winds blow with great fury, therefore, natural that the house is of the region have to be built to respond to such extremes of climate

Planning

TYPICAL PLAN
The houses are constructed out of stone as well as mud. Rectangular rooms arranged in geometric pattern around the courtyard constitute the basic plan form. All major spaces are rectangular, with flat stone slabs or rough wood roofs, except for ones that are circular which are either kitchen or store with a conical thatched roof.

Planning
Mud construction

The walls are either constructed out of sun baked mud bricks or undressed stone, plastered with mud. The village Houses have two or three courtyards. The outer court has a high and strong compound wall for and protection against the sandstorms. The inner or central court is the place onto which all rooms open and it is the hub of activities.

Art done on boundary walls

Planning
The mud plastered walls are painted white at these openings and this makes them look larger. The rear yard is where the food is stored. The interior of and these built spaces is used only when the climate is specially severe. Semi open space like verandahs are used most of the time. The room which is accessible from the outside maybe used as a visitors room or as a shop. The play of walls of different heights set on various planes gives the main faade an appearance characteristic of the area. Openings in the walls are small and few in number.

Small window opening painted white to make the opening look big

The further covering of houses is done with thatched roofs. Rees and steams mixed with mud to provide strength.

Wall construction with jali

Conical thatched roof

Jaisalmer

Introduction
Situated in the heart of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is famous for its richly carved building facades. Less known perhaps is the fact that the town and buildings in it overcome the problem of the severe desert summer by special passive design features.

The climate of Jaisalmer is typical of a hot desert region. There is scarce and unreliable rainfall. The landscape of the surrounding region is flat, rocky and barren, relieved by sparse scrubby weeds, but no trees. In certain areas around Jaisalmer, there are shifting sand dunes.

Planning
In Jaisalmer buildings, a number of interconnected vertical shafts are used for ventilation. The courtyard effect is well known and used in almost all hot-dry climates.

Narrow vertical ducts and staircase shafts are used to deflect wind down into the house in Jaisalmer. Coupled with the high thermal inertia of the massive stone walls, such shafts temper air before it enters the living space.

Planning

Depending upon the socio-economic status of the inhabitant, there are three types of houses in Jaisalmer. The simplest town house consists of a single room, a verandah and a courtyard.

The second type of house belongs to the middle-income people. A two or three-storey structure, this house type can be considered the typical house of Jaisalmer. It is similar to the first house type in plan, with the only difference that additional rooms and small enclosed terraces are located at the upper floors. The front part of the first floor has a balcony projecting onto the street.

Construction
The common building material used in Jaisalmer is stone of which there are two types. Light yellowish sandstone is used for walls, which are 0.45m or more in thickness. In better quality construction the stone is dressed and joints made accurately without any mortar.

Two types of construction are used for roofs and floors. Windows are generally small and are fitted with solid timber shutters. Because of the need for privacy, the use of windows was limited to upper floors only and it is only in recent construction that windows have been built at the street level. Doors are built with stone frames and fitted with thick timber shutters.

Construction
In Jaisalmer, the layout of the town is the first defense against the harsh climate. Even though the major streets are not particularly narrow, the street orientation of NW-SE ensures that the building facades are either shaded by the balcony and sunshade projections or by the buildings opposite.

STONE WALL

OUT

IN

Stone is a good conductor of heat. The stone walls do not allow the heat to enter the interior space. It increases the time gap and provides a cooler day. During night this heat enters the interior space thus giving cooler nights.

Construction
Columns and lintels are also made of dressed stone and stone beams are used in the roof. Stone walls are on an average 450mm thick and plastered with lime. Roof is also 450mm thick, double layered with a layer of stone veneer with lime kada on it. Lime , jaggery and hessian are mixed together in the roofing plaster. This mixture is applied on stone slabs. The builders of the medieval Indian town of Jaisalmer have done a remarkable job of creating an urban environment that is in tune with nature and provides for more than just the basic needs of the inhabitants. Situated in the heart of the Thar Desert. The climate of Jaisalmer is typical of a hot desert region.