vernacular architecture: india, dabhoi

Dabhoi, Vadodara- location plan

Archana tayalAmity school of architecture and planning

Gujarat

the city of Dabhoi • Its planned according to

the principle of Vaastu Shastra. With its four gates set on the cardinal N, S, E and W sides.

• the city plan has it observable "center” and “cross road”. N

1

2

3

4

• Here people are settled in different areas according to their castes.

the city of Dabhoi • Planning system-organic-naturally happened

• Community relationship-social network-sense of belonging

• Climate-hot and dry-Extreme weather

Solution: - Narrow streets with high buildings on either side to block out the sun.- Windows only on the front facade-verandah on upper floor-materials: lime mortar, wood, brick, cement.

balconies

Eclectic architecture • Certain typical elements and

principles of different time periods can be seen together in a single structure.

• entrance gate: -one with a Mughal arch -other with huge brackets to transfer the load .

• brackets are done with vertical and horizontal elements possessing Indian details of carving with some religious story.

• facades : front and back have different structural systems and construction technology.

front back

colonnades

Hindu deities

the inside and outside of housing

• Here a taboo is followed that when you go inside the interior, you can’t step on the threshold but just walk across it.

• people put symbols and images of gods on the lintels of entrance and back door to define the border between the inside and outside to represent a protected inner space.

threshold

THE PLAY OF LEVELS - HOUSETopology• ground floor:Living room kitchen bathroomolta.• first floor:Bedroom, study balcony

THE PLAY OF LEVELS - HOUSE• HOUSES ARE AT A LOWER LEVEL HAVING THE

TYPICAL OLTA.

• THERE ARE THREE MAIN ROOMS: OLTA LIVING ROOM KITCHEN

• THESE HOUSES ARE CLUSTERED AROUND COURTYARDS AND NARROW SPACES FACILITATING GATHERINGS

THE DOORSTEP

• The doorstep or threshold belongs to neither inside nor the outside space of house.

• It has religious significance.

• It is considered to ward off all evils and protect the house.

SACRED SPACE WITHIN THE HOUSE

• It is generally observed as a niche in the walls where various gods and goddesses are being worshipped together.

STAIRCASES

• High risers using minimum space on ground and hence making the staircase steep.

PANIYARO• It is a special space to store drinking water generally observed in the inner (private) area of the house

THE BALCONY• an interesting feature

on the facades of the house.

• They attempt to create some sort of participation on street activities.

• act as weather

shades protecting openings on ground floor.

The play of level- shops• The shops are at a

slightly lower or higher level compared to the street above 50cms higher or 1.5m lower.

• The rear wall is retaining wall which has openings on it for sunlight from the back.

• the owner's of these shops lived in the houses above.

The Play of levels- market• The lake is integral part of the

city layout.• The market is at much lower

level accessed by steep steps from the street level.

• It runs along the banks of the lake manifesting an interactive connection with it.

The play of levels- streets• The intersection of roads is

based on the Pompeian cities i.e. cardo and decumano.

• Shops have developed on either side of this stretch to form commercial area.

• important landmarks

- Chowk which are places where people congregate around a tree on olta.-a temple.-a bird feeder called chabutra

shops

Community- chowk

• community areas are called chowk and have a double function:

-for the circulation of vehicles and person -a place of a quick meeting and talks.

Community- black board• blackboard near

this community space provides people with a white sheet where the community writes whatever they want, to inform other people about new events.

Community- temples • People identify

themselves in the friendly of their neighbors, which feel like their own family with the cult of a god.

• These temples are the representation of a specific god.