STUDY OF SUSTAINABILITY IN TRADITIONAL RESIDENCES OF CENTRAL TRAVANCORE

Abstract

The study of sustainability of houses built 100 years back, to derive some useful guidelines of how to maintain a sustainable building construction and maintenance as far as residences of central Travancore region is considered. 'Study of Sustainability in Traditional Residences of Central Travancore', is an attempt to study how they maintained sustainable lifestyle and those parameters which relate to architecture. Of which Environmental Sustainability is more directly related to architecture. Whereas lifestyle has a direct impact on architecture which justifies the involvement of social and economic sustainability factors. Taking up specific parameters of sustainability which has an impact on architecture or on which architecture can have its effect. Travancore region defined during the reign of the Travancore kings; lies to the south of Kerala. The lush green land which had its own architectural qualities, laid according to the Vaasthushastra. With time and foreign influences, the lifestyle of the people has undergone transition. And so did the architecture of the place, which once existed with utmost beauty and harmony. Through this dissertation, my attempt has been to study the features of architecture which contributed to sustainability in traditional residences of Central Travancore. Architectural sustainability is mainly achieving indoor comfort and effective energy usage as far as residential architecture is considered. Traditional buildings are the perfect examples of how architecture evolved according to human needs, sustaining ecological balance. 9 Study of sustainability in Traditional Residences of Central Travancore MARCH THESIS REPORT 2012 STATEMENT To study the features of traditional architecture and compare it with the present day practices to formulate guidelines for architecturally sustainable house. METHODOLOGY The study area is identified, Central Travancore region of Kerala, which lies to the South of the state of Kerala. The region has its own traditional architectural style for its residences. The typical residence is termed 'naalukettu', a comfortable house close to nature. Literature Review Literature review is mainly based on the topics : - Sustainability - Sustainability in traditional Architecture: traditional architecture successful examples in adaptation with the needs, concerning the environmental conditions, on the basis of the existing natural facilities. - Architecture of Kerala: a brief .overview of history of Architecture of Kerala and Central Travancore. - Lifestyle in Central Travancore: it explains the transition of lifestyle as the time passed by, which unknowingly brought about a drastic change in the sustain ability. - Climate of Central Travancore: A study about the climate of the study area. Climate responsive Architecture: which mainly deals with how, the passive climate control measures were incorporated in the traditional residences of Central Travancore. The architectural principles and features for passive climate control are dealt with, in detail. Also a review of how the lifestyle of people in central Travancore changed from with time is understood. 10 1 Study of sustainability in Traditional Residences of Central Travancore M.ARCH THESIS REPORT 2012 Case Studies Case studies were done on traditional residences, which include those houses which are still in use as well as a few documented examples. Six case studies were conducted. Though there is a wide variation in the scale and plan form of the residences, they were all having the same characters of a traditional Kerala residence. The proportions and planning principles were followed to get that seemingly uniform and pleasing character of a traditional residence. The qualities of passive climate control was well incorporated in each of these cases be it a small residence or-a royal residence. Surveys: A user response questionnaire was prepared and responses were collected from people dwelling in residences as old as 100 years and also those living in newly built houses. The questionnaire was prepared based on human comfort and energy usage. To find out the human comfort in old as well as new houses. Age of residence, type of users, plot area, material usage, thermal comfort and use of artificial lighting is tabulated from the-responses. This helped in a comparison and analysis of traditional as well as present day dwellings. ANALYSIS: The analysis of literature review, case studies and the surveys helped in concluding that passive climate control measures for a comfortable interiors is the best way to maintain architectural sustainability in the future houses of Central Travancore. It ensures lesser energy usage throughout its life, thereby contributing to sustainability of the community as a whole. 11 I Study of sustainability in Traditional Residences of Central Travancore MARCH THESIS REPORT 2012 RECOMMENDATIONS: The main analysis and recommendations would be on the effective means of passive climate control measures to be taken into consideration while designing the house. This will ensure considerable reduction in the energy consumption. The recommendations are on natural cooling, by the old technique of-stack effect and proper positioning of windows. Also on material usage, planning for the present day activities as well as other sustainability parameters which could be adopted in houses of Central Travancore CONCLUSION: The traditional comfortable living spaces are a rarity in Travancore in these days. The fertile soil and pleasant climate is still the same, but the lifestyle and buildings of the place have changed a lot. The vernacular architecture gives solutions that are in perfectharmony with nature. Control of the indoor environment is always an important aspect of vernacular architecture. A judicious use of appropriate materials and adoption of suitable traditional techniques in architecture is required for a sustainable, energy efficient and comfortable human life. Hence the methods and techniques adopted in the Kerala vernacular residential architecture can be effectively used in the contemporary architecture for warm—humid regions. The study shows the transition in lifestyle which knowingly or unknowingly tend to deteriorate on the character and sustainability of architecture. Sustainability in a community as well as household level was prevalent in the history of Central Travancore, which gave a total sustainable lifestyle contributing to a better environment. When in traditional architecture, proper air circulation was one of the main consideration, modern day house owners made it a point to make minimum number of windows, which too should be made easy to insulate it; so as to fix air conditioning systems. Such is the case of day lighting and other factors too. 12 I Study of sustainability in Traditional Residences of Central Travancore M.ARCH THESIS REPORT 2012 Proper guidelines to ensure thermal comfort in the interiors are recommended. Guidelines related to Layout, planning, window positioning and proper selection of building materials. As well as suggestions for rainwater harvesting as well as cultivation and vegetation should be taken care of. The awareness to enjoy the benefits of nature without harming its goodness is inevitable......