NATURAL VENTILATION

TOPIC - Natural Ventilation in Buildings Architectural concepts, consequences and possibilities

AUTHORS - Tommy Kleiven

ABSTARCT - “Natural Ventilation in Buildings -Architectural concepts, consequences and

possibilities”, is the result of a PhD study financed by Hydro Aluminium/Wicona, The Research
Council of Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The work was
carried out at the Department of Architectural Design, History and Technology, Faculty of
Architecture and Fine Art at NTNU in the period January 2000 to March 2003. The study has been
conducted in close collaboration with fellow researchers Bjørn J. Wachenfeldt and Tor Arvid Vik.
Chapter 2 “Principles and elements of natural ventilation” is in its entirety written by the three of us
together. The main objectives of this work have been to identify and investigate the architectural
consequences and possibilities of natural ventilation in office and school buildings in Northern
Europe. Case studies and interviews with architects and HVAC consultants have been the most
central “research instruments” in achieving this. Three buildings have been studied in detail. These
are the GSW Headquarters in Germany, the B&O Headquarters in Denmark, and the Mediå Primary
School in Norway. In addition, a larger set of buildings has been used to substantiate the findings.
The most important findings of this work are that: utilisation of natural ventilation in buildings has
architectural consequences as well as possibilities. natural ventilation primarily affects the facades,
the roof/silhouette and the layout and organisation of the interior spaces. the ventilation principle
applied (single-sided, cross- or stack ventilation) together with the nature of the supply and extract
paths, i.e. whether they are local or central, are of key importance for the architectural
consequences and possibilities. designing a naturally ventilated building is more difficult than
designing a similar but mechanically ventilated building. An interdisciplinary approach from the
initial stages of design is mandatory for achieving successful natural ventilation concepts.

AIM - how does utilisation of natural ventilation in buildings affect the architecture? What is the
relationship between natural ventilation and building design? What are the architectural
consequences? How do different concepts of natural ventilation influence the architecture of
buildings? Is there an architectural potential in using natural airflow as a guiding factor in the
development of a design? What are the architectural possibilities of that? How does natural
ventilation affect the work of the architect and the HVAC consultant?

OBJECTIVES - The main objective of this research is to identify the architectural consequences and
possibilities of natural ventilation. It is clear that architecture is an extensive term that could refer to
a wide range of issues. Identifying which issues are dominating in the context of natural ventilation is
fundamental to this study.

TOPIC - NATURAL VENTILATION IN BUILDINGS AND THE TOOLS FOR ANALYSIS

AUTHOR - Romina Mozaffarian , University of Florida

ABSTRACT - Natural ventilation is using natural air to condition the interior of a building with
minimal mechanical equipment. In other words, it is ventilating the building with natural air. Natural
ventilation offers the means to control air quality in buildings, to directly condition indoor air with
cooler outdoor air, to indirectly condition indoor air by night cooling of building thermal mass, and
to provide refreshing airflow past occupants when desired. Implementing natural ventilation for
conditioning can reduce electrical consumption, can recover the valuable building space typically
used by all-air mechanical systems, can potentially provide health, comfort, and productivity
advantages, in buildings and increases the efficiency of energy and material resources which are the
purposes of a sustainable building, or green building. The objective of this study is to improve the
environmental performance of ventilation and temperature control systems in buildings by using
natural ventilation instead of mechanical systems. The main focus of this study is natural ventilation
through wind. By using a technique for natural ventilation, the outdoor air can be introduced into
the building to circulate air. Another primary focus is the selection of software for modeling a
building with a natural ventilation system.

OBJECTIVES - The objective of this study is to improve the environmental performance of ventilation
and temperature control systems in buildings by using natural ventilation instead of
mechanicalsystems. Natural ventilation can reduce the electrical consumption of buildings by using
natural resources such as wind and solar energy. The main focus of this study is natural ventilation
through wind. By using a technique for natural ventilation, the outdoor air can be introduced into
the building to circulate air. Moreover, if the air passes over a water reservoir it can reduce the
inside temperature of the building, though it is also likely to increase relative humidity. Another
primary focus is the selection of software for modeling a building with a natural ventilation system.
A case study building, Rinker Hall, School of Building Construction at University of Florida has been
modeled with three tools, Autodesk Ecotect, simplified calculations of air change and Computational
Fluid Dynamics software. At the end, the result of each tool has been compared, evaluated and a
recommendation made.

CONCLUSION - When the kinetic energy or the buoyancy driven force of the air is used for
ventilation purposes, the type of ventilation is typically called natural ventilation. There are many
different configurations which exist in order to create effective natural ventilation. This study
focuses on natural ventilation caused by outdoor winds. In other words, the kinetic energy of wind is
used to circulate air inside of the building. There are specific design requirements requiring
consideration in the design of a badgir in any building. Badgirs are made up of three parts, the roof,
the body, including openings, and the columns of the badgir. Table 4-1 is the result of information
for designing a badgir in hot and dry climate and hot and humid climates. This information is based
on researches of typical badgirs in Iran. The dimensions of opening in badgirs need to be calculated
based on square feet of a building. Based on the literature review, the following are
recommendations for designing and constructing badgirs in United States. The components of
badgirs are the roof, the opening of badgir and column of badgir. Based on literature, in hot and dry
climates in United States, interior wall dividers are square (4 interior walls), rectangular (4 interior
walls), hexagon (6 interior walls) and octagon (8 interior walls). Figure 2-14 shows the badgir with six
and eight interior wall dividers. Figure 2- 15 shows four interior wall dividers. Based on literature, in
hot and humid climates, commonly four interior wall dividers are suggested in United States. Height
of badgirs can change based on different climates. Height of badgirs in hot and dry climates is 9.84 ft
to 16.4 ft, 5.91 ft to 6.89 ft. Height of badgirs in hot and humid climates are usually 9.84 ft to 16.4 ft
or even taller than 16.4 ft. The taller the badgir is, the ability to direct the wind increases.

REFERENCE - Allard, F., (1998). Natural Ventilation in buildings, London, UK. ASHRAE Standard
(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). ASHRAE 62.1-2007,
Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, Atlanta, GA. ASHRAE Standard (American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). (1999b). ASHRAE 62-1999, Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, Atlanta, GA. ASHRAE Standard (American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). (2004). ASHRAE 55-2004, Thermal Environmental
Conditions for Human Occupancy. ASHRAE (1999). ASHRAE Standard 62-1999. Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Atlanta, GA. A'zami, A., (2005). “Badgir in traditional Iranian
architecture.” Proceedings, International Conference: Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the Built
Environment, Santorini, Greece. Bahadori, M. and Dehghani, A. (2008). Wind tower, a master piece
of Iranian engineering, 1st Ed.,Tehran, Iran. Bansal, N. K., Mathur and Bhandari .(1993). "Solar
chimney for enhanced stack ventilation". Building and Environment, 28 (3),373-377. Bansal, N K,
Mathur, Rajesh, Bhandari.(1999). “A study of solar chimney assisted wind tower system for natural
ventilation in buildings”, Building and Environment, 29(4), 495-500. Biket,a. “Architectural Design
based on Climatic Data.” yýldýz technical university. BRECSU. (2000). “Energy Conusmption Guide
19: Energy Use in Offices. Garston, Watford, UK, British Research Establishment Conservation
Support Unit.” Busby, Perkins and Will (2005). “Gurtekin-Celic presentation.” Natural Ventilation.
Chastain, J.P., Colliver, and P.W. Winner. (1987). “Computation of discharge coefficients for laminar
flow in rectangular and cylindrical openings.” ASHRAE Transactions, 93(2B):2259-2283. Chastain, J.P.
(1987). “Pressure gradients and the location of the neutral pressure axis for lowrise structures under
pure stack conditions.” Unpublished MS thesis, Department ofAgricultural Engineering, University of
Kentucky, Lexington KY.

TOPIC - Natural Ventilation Techniques as a Base for Environmental Passive Architecture

AUTHORS - Mohamed Abd Elmohsen Dardir Ahmed

KEYWORDS - Natural Ventilation Techniques, Passive Technique,s Ventilation Rate, Thermal Comfort
,Residential Space, Indoor Air Quality, CFD Simulations

ABSTRACT - The research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of applying the natural ventilation passive
techniques within a residential space on the indoor ventilation rates and thermal comfort within
local hot summer climate. The research revealed that the techniques that depend on thermal
buoyancy effect, as a working principle, could achieve significant high ventilation rates within local
hot summer climate of high temperatures and solar radiation. Double wall technique, with variables
of air gap, construction material, technique opening dimensions, and position, was investigated
using EnergyPlus as a CFD simulation engine to study system efficiency on flow rate and thermal
comfort using only passive convective strategy. Investigation was conducted within both day and
night conditions and all orientations of solar exposure (east, south, and west orientations). This
simulation included testing other passive techniques already existing as a reference case to define
natural ventilation passive techniques that are suitable and appropriate to be applied into the local
climate of Cairo. CFD simulations showed that applying double wall technique with the given
configurations enhanced ventilation rates at all orientations by mean values that vary from 68.9% to
85.9%, with maximum recorded mean air velocity of 0.3 m/s. In case of high quality of outdoor
supply air, these high ventilation rates improve the indoor air quality levels. The results also revealed
that applying technique within eastern façade can enhance thermal comfort levels inside a space by
a maximum mean operative temperature value of 3.65°C at night, which met thermal comfort
acceptability limits. Within southern and western orientations, applying system did not enhance the
thermal comfort levels at day or night conditions. A supplementary study revealed that reducing
incoming air temperature while applying double wall technique can reduce the indoor mean
operative temperature by around 0.3°C to 0.4°C for each reduction in incoming air temperature of
1.0°C. This gives promising indicators that applying double x wall technique during warm season may
enhance the thermal comfort conditions through high levels of ventilation rates.

AIM - research will go through studying the convective applications to evaluate the efficiency of
passive techniques of natural ventilation in local hot climate.

OBJECTIVES - The Main goal of the research is to define natural ventilation passive techniques that
are suitable and appropriate to be applied into the local climate of Greater Cairo. This goal can be
reached through some partial objectives: - Defining the natural ventilation process and passive
techniques. - Analyzing the residential applications of natural ventilation passive techniques within
similar climates to the local one. - Evaluating local reference case performance. - Evaluating the
efficiency of applying the natural ventilation passive techniques within the residential reference case
on the indoor ventilation rates and thermal comfort of space

METHODOLOGY - Research will go through successive stages of study:

1. Theoretical study - Theoretical study of natural ventilation process. - Theoretical study for the
most common passive techniques of natural ventilation (the operation principle and applications)

2. Analytical study - Analytical study for natural ventilation passive techniques applications within
the residential buildings in climates similar to the climate under study (case studies).

3. Comparative applied study - Definition of local reference case and natural ventilation passive
technique of the study. - Analyzing the application of the passive technique by thermal and CFD
(Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, then evaluating and comparing the results with the
reference case.

CONCLUSION - According to main goal, the present research aimed to define natural ventilation
passive techniques that are suitable and appropriate to be applied into the local climate of Cairo.
The research methodology was to evaluate the efficiency of applying the natural ventilation passive
techniques within a residential space on the indoor ventilation rates and thermal comfort within
local hot summer climate. The research revealed that the techniques that depend on thermal
buoyancy effect, as a working principle, could achieve significant high ventilation rates within local
hot climate of high temperatures and solar radiation. The study also revealed that to achieve better
thermal indoor conditions with these techniques, they should be combined with another passive
cooling strategy, like evaporative or radiative techniques. Double wall technique, with variables of
air gap, construction material, opening dimensions, and opening position, was investigated within
local summer conditions using EnergyPlus as a CFD simulation engine to study the system efficiency
on flow rate and thermal comfort using only passive convective strategy within both day and night
conditions and all orientations of solar exposure (east, south, and west orientations). The research
got some conclusions which can be shown within the following points: 1- Air velocity may not truly
indicate the ventilation rates and so indoor air quality. This is due to the pressure differences that
result a chaotic or semistatic air movement conditions that affect indoor air quality. 2- Space
temperatures do not necessarily reflect thermal comfort levels where there is no obvious relation
between reduction in space temperature and enhancements of thermal comfort levels. The results
recorded maximum reduction in space temperature of 2.72°C, with an increase in operative
temperature of 0.17°C within night west conditions. While with a reduction in space temperature of
only 1.55°C, results recorded a reduction in operative temperature of 3.65°C within night east
conditions. 3- High ventilation rates do not necessarily provide better thermal comfort conditions. As
the factor of incoming ambient air temperature is a critical concern. At high ambient air
temperatures, high ventilation rates may raise the operative temperature, and the feeling of
discomfort and dissatisfaction. 4- Double wall height does not negatively affect the ventilation rates
inside space. This means that double wall system is applicable for application in multi-storey
buildings that fit the local contemporary residential typology.

TOPIC - MAXIMIZING NATURAL VENTILATION BY DESIGN IN LOW RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

USING WIND CATCHERS IN THE HOT ARID CLIMATE OF UAE

AUTHORS - Rashed Khalifa Al-Shaali

ABSTRACT - This research studies natural ventilation in a residential building using different wind
catcher sizes and exhausts to maintain a comfortable environment that would reduce energy
consumption in a hot arid zone. All the simulated airflow tests were performed on a 1:48 scale
model of a building 14’ wide, 28’ long and 10’ high. A wind catcher with three different sizes was
built and tested. All three sizes had the same section but varying lengths, which represented 1/3, 1/2
and all of the windward façade. The leeward façade was used as an exhaust in two general
configurations: the first configuration used the entire façade as an outlet (10' X 14'), while the
second used an opening of 4' X 14' placed at varying locations. A Helium Bubble Generator was used
to investigate the air speed and pattern inside the model. The device produces neutrally buoyant
bubbles filled with helium. The bubbles follow the air flow streamlines. The tests were recorded
using a Digital camcorder. All the wind catcher sizes showed an acceptable air speed inside the
model. The major distinction was in the plan exposure area, where it becomes narrower as smaller
wind catcher is used. On the other hand, this type of wind catcher can not provide sufficient air flow
for cooling the ceiling. In addition, if the same exhaust was used with different fan speeds the air
pattern will remain the same

TOPIC - Natural ventilation : design for suburban houses in Thailand

AUTHOR - Tantasavasdi, Chalermwat, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dept. of Architecture.
ABSTRACT - Natural Ventilation is the most effective passive cooling design strategy for
architecture in hot and humid climates. In Thailand, natural ventilation has been the
most essential element in the vernacular architecture such as the traditional house, but
has become unused nowadays because of the urbanized conditions in big cities like
Bangkok. This thesis explores the potential of using natural ventilation for modern
houses by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program. The research
investigates the characteristics of Thai houses from the past to the present that climate,
culture and technology have influenced. The analysis of the climate data concludes that
natural ventilation can be used approximately four months a year to create conditions
within the zone of thermal comfort. In a suburban housing project, site planning has a
significant impact on the wind pattern and velocity. The simulation results indicate that
the wind has better characteristics in the houses with square shapes than those with
rectangular shapes. The vegetation around the houses also has some effect on the wind
by slightly reducing its speed. Lastly, the prevailing winds from the north and north-
northeast have similar wind patterns in a large housing project. The final stage is to
design a prototype by using some climatic characteristics from the traditional Thai
house. The air movement is inadequate in a house with regular size windows. Therefore,
the study tests three more cases with larger windows. The results demonstrate that the
maximum size window provides better thermal comfort. Finally, the study finds that the
stack effect is negligible. The study shows the possibility to use natural ventilation for the
houses in this region. The investigation has developed comprehensive design guidelines
for architects. Necessary further research is presented in the end to find more solutions
for climate-responsive architecture in today's physical conditions.

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE
TOPIC - Interior Landscape in office Buildings
AUTHORS - Najeebullah Rasuli
ABSTRACT - Indoor living plants can enhance is a color of peace and serenity. the atmosphere
and image of Interior landscape is enhancing both public and private spaces. the indoor
environment by From corporate lobbies to making it more aesthetically individual offices, Living
plants pleasing and perceptually bring forth the freshness of stimulating. Plants not only
outdoors, boosting morale and provide natural health enhancing productivity of employees and
benefits but play an important visitors alike in a commercial or role in projecting a quality for the
any other type of building. Living specific building. Plants have practical benefits in The design
and installation of the workplace such as indoor green plants in an indoor contaminants from
seemingly environment needs experience benign sources such as to bring the real natural world
furniture, drapes, insulation and inside and to make our dreams carpets can cause a variety of
into reality. After a successful complaints like respiratory design and installation, plant irritation,
dizziness, headaches, care and maintenance, skin rashes, nausea and watering, growth and
vomiting thus, by placing green fertilization, pruning and plants we can filter the air. trimming,
insects and disease From other side plants are Toxin control, etc. are important issues
absorption by reducing the level to be considered. of harmful chemicals such as trichloroethylene
(TCE), benzene and formaldehyde which are ingredient in painting inks, prints, lacquers,
varnishes and adhesives and from psychological point of view plants reduce physical and mental
stress, cause us to relax and improve our health

AIM – To understand the effects of interior landscape on humans health work efficiency
quality and image of work
METHODOLOGY – To study about the type of species which are growing in a specific
weather of a region and change in living life of a plant due to change of weather.
To study about design , plants delivery, cost, plant installation, aesthetic , texture lighting and
impact on human”s health .
It involves understanding interior landscape through books internet and various articles
published.
It involves brief study of interior landscape and elaborate understanding of chosen interior
landscape in office building with respect to the plant’s time line.
CONCLUSION – By growth of business and commercial buildingsin the world the number of
workplaces in offices have increased thus, need for more employees came into
consideration for better efficiency of the work. When it industries creating more jobs for
employeesthey have to think about their health as well here interior landscape is the most
importantfactor.

TOPIC - HIGH SCHOOL LANDSCAPES

AUTHORS - AKSHATHA VENKATESHA, Professor William C. Sullivan

ABSTRACT - Today, many high school students are under considerable stress from school work,
pressure to apply for college, and the burden of having to make money to pay for college or other
needs. The level of stress that many students feel is likely to result in decreased academic
performance and increased levels of inappropriate behaviors in classrooms and on school campuses.
Fortunately, research suggests that natural landscapes can help high school students recover from
this stress. Students benefit academically, socially, and behaviorally from school campuses with
natural landscape features and greener window views. What we don’t know, however, is to what
extent high school students prefer barren, traditional and best management landscape
configurations. To what extent do variations in the density of the vegetation impact their
preferences? To what extent do preferences change when we consider different landscape types
and the two levels of vegetation at the same time? To what extent do these findings hold for the
various spaces on high school landscapes? I investigated three public high schools in Central Illinois
to examine the interests of students in different kinds of landscape configurations found on high
school campuses. Based on the photoquestionnaires completed by high school students, I found that
high school students prefer school campuses with best management practices landscapes more than
those with traditional or barren landscape configurations. Analysis also suggests that high school
students prefer school campuses with a higher density of vegetation over the low density vegetation
campus landscapes.

AIM - In previous studies, researchers have found that green views make a difference. But what we
don’t know concerns the content of the green or the extent of the green. To what extent do high
school students prefer the barren, traditional landscaping, or best-practice landscape
configurations? To what extent do variations in the density of the vegetation impact their
preferences? To what extent do preferences change when we consider landscape types (traditional
and best-practice) and two different levels of vegetation (low and high) at the sametime? To what
extent do these findings hold for the various high schools landscape spaces (window views,
entrances, etc.)?

CONCLUSION - In this study I investigated students’ preferences for various high school campus
landscape configurations. The results showed clear and consistent preferences for best management
practices (that is, landscapes that were rich with native landscape plantings, rain gardens, and
bioswales) more than traditional practices (large lawns with a few widely spaced trees and some
shrubs near the building entrance) and more than barren landscapes (large lawns with very few
trees or shrubs). Furthermore, I found that students prefer higher densities of tree plantings over
lower density plantings or no trees at all. The results suggest that implementing a higher density of
planting on high school campuses is highly preferred over the existing conditions. Although students
spend the majority of their day in school, there is a limited research concerning the potential
benefits of physical environment on students. Insights provided by the results of this study can aid
school administrators and designers in building and renovating campus landscapes in ways that may
increase student satisfaction with the school environment. Students who are more satisfied with
their school environment will likely want to have more contact with this environment and may
benefit more from it. Given the importance of physical and visual contact to nature in everyday life,
constant interaction with green environment is bound to decrease stress levels, increase attentional
functioning, and encourage physical activity. Currently, a large number of school campuses are
mostly uninviting, featureless and lack natural aesthetic elements. This often is accompanied with
student misbehavior like bullying, vandalism or even just plain boredom.

TOPIC - Study on the Interior Landscape Design of Public Space

AUTHORS - CaoTianTian

ABSTRACT - With the quality of life continually improved, People attach great importance
to public space landscape design increasingly. Especially in restaurant environment, People
not only like to enjoy delicious food, and also wish more comfortable environment, when they
go to restaurant. Therefore interior landscape culture plays an important role in public space
design. Interior landscaping is the one of the most important part that embodies the
humanistic connotation, and plays an important role in the dining cultures forming.
Furthermore, the eco-design of interior Landscape in restaurant space is a sustainable
development design,and is the inevitable trend of the design of the restaurant environment.
But in understanding and practice, there are still lots of deficiencies in understanding of the
relevant concepts and theories of the interior landscape eco-design.On the basis of
analyzing the critical problems in the public space interior landscape design in our country,
the research takes the case of restaurant space, with the questionnaire survey and field
experience, according to the typical restaurants of xi’an, revealed the general problem in
public space landscape, And establish target of this research. According to multi-disciplinary
systematic study, based on Landscape ecology, Environment psychology and Art aesthetics,
The author summarized the development history of interior landscape, evolution
characteristic, current situation and tendency of restaurant space.By applying of the
Hierarchy of needs theory by Maslow, to target customer groups features, mental
characteristics and behavioral feature, The author come up with the ecological needs of the
interior landscape. Meanwhile,by analyzing Landscape factors in a restaurant environment,
The author summarized the type of functionality of the interior landscape, condensed the
space character, and focused on the analysis component of the interior landscape. It
indicates that space property, landscaping sleight and culture are the most crucial elements
of the interior landscape design. And the author proceed to come up with the principles for
restaurant environment landscape design——with the environment intention allocation as
the premise, the spatial pattern as supporter, the landscape element as host, eco-technology
based interior landscape design strategy. Thus, that provides theories and technical support
for restaurant environment landscape design. With case study of restaurant environment
landscape design, the author verified the design methodology for interior landscape. The
study provides a valuable theoretical and practical ways of reference for eco-design of
interior Landscape in restaurant space.

TRADITIONAL TO CONTEMPORARY
TOPIC – TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITIONAL TO CONTEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE OF
KERALA – A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

AUTHORS – Gini Gopinath , IIT Roorkee

S Y Kulkarni

ABSTRACT – Traditional architecture of kerala just like most of the other similar examples of the
world were developed based on the needs of the users and the living conditions of the region . In
many developing countries, a drastic change in architecture took place towards the middle of the
20th century. The change was so rapid that the traditional design systems that were followed till
time were replaced with modern style, with no means of adaptation, thus the local architectural
forms that have been responding to the physical and cultural needs of the people for thousands of
years seems to be neglected .

In most of the developing countries the contemporary buildings seem to be a failure to the local
conditions because the transferred technology and the imported concepts do not meet the physical
and physiological needs. Moreover the mindless copying of the new concepts without any change is
creating negative results with respect to the region’s ancient social environmental and cultural
values.

The desirable architecture for the region shall be one that is evolved out of the identification and
establishment of continuity with the past.

AIM - To analyse the transformation of residential architecture of kerala from traditional to

contemporary based on visual analysis and interviews with the architect and the residents .

OBJECTIVES –

To understand about the factors that affect the built form

To understand the traditional theory of design in kerala

To understand the influence of climate and culture on the built form of kerala

To understand the architectural change after mid 20th century

To understand the rules regulating the construction of residences

To study the examples of traditional and contemporary residences with traditional characteristics

To analyse the transformation on the basis of principles and elements of design, climatic aspects,
socio-cultural aspects and materials and construction system

CONCLUTION – It can be seen that there have been a strong transformation in the physical and
physiological characteristics of the house. The arrangements of spaces in the houses which once
followed the geometrical rules and regulations are no wfollowing the geometry of plots available.
The multi functional spaces are entirely replaced with single function spaces.

TOPIC - THE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF KERALA, SOUTH INDIA: AN ARCHITECTURE

KNOWLEDGE ON THE CROSSROAD BETWEEN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND SOUTH ASIA
ABSTRACT - The vernacular architecture of Kerala in India is explored to demonstrate a design

case with Southeast Asian characters but situated beyond the agreed (modern)

region of Southeast Asia. The elaborations are mainly based on ethnographic

studies and observations, done between 2004 and 2010. To elaborate the

discussion, the architecture of “Minangkabau” from West Sumatera and “Baliaga”

from Bali, Indonesia are especially taken as comparative cases from Southeast Asia.

The discussions would be drawn in three sections: 1) evidences of general

convergence and divergence of the building typology; 2) evidences of shared

social-spatial organization of the habitations that specifically brings up the

importance of women; and 3) the shared claims of pre-Hindu characters and

maritime culture. Indeed, the architecture of Kerala reflects a combination of Indic

and Southeast Asian characters and it leads to critical questions on the relevance

of geo-political distinction between Southeast Asia and its foreign counterpart, the

Colonial assumptions of ethnic and nationality and the paradigm of Indianization, on the
development of knowledge about Southeast Asian architecture. Finally, the

study would try to suggest a model of knowledge which principally suggests that

for the case of Southeast Asia, with its unique cultural dynamic and multiplicity, it

is more important to explore the processes of becoming that lend base to the

emergence of the people, its habitations and architectural traditions, rather than

examining the architecture within a given fixed territory. This model is tentatively

addressed as the pre-modern vernacular architecture in the crossroad between

Western Coast of India and the West Southeast Asia.

KEY WORDS - Kerala, South India, Vernacular Architecture, tattakam, tara, taravad,

Indianization, Network of Asia.

AIM - This paper is written based on mainly field studies since 2004-2011 about the vernacular

architecture of Kerala, South India. The vernacular architecture of Kerala in India here

to explore the phenomenon of architecture with some extent of Southeast Asian characters

but located beyond the agreed (modern) boundary of Southeast Asia (Figure 1). I consider this

case as an example of problematic implication of the modern boundary of Southeast Asia and

South Asia in the framing and establishing the knowledge about Southeast Asian architecture.
CONCLUSION - The continuation of design between vernacular architectural traditions of the
Southeast Asia and South Asian architecture, by the case of Kerala architecture, prove how
contingent is the boundary between Southeast Asia and South Asia. It had been emphasized in
various researches too how the discussion about Southeast Asian architecture could not be
separated from the architecture beyond the region, such as the cultural emergence in Dongson,
Pacific, India and even South Africa and Mediterranean. Southeast Asia is an open sphere where
the “here there” notion is not always effective for the establishment of knowledge, particularly the

vernacular architecture in the maritime cross-road.

The Kerala architecture proves that the geo-cultural dichotomization between Southeast Asian

and South Asian has limitations and risk. The risk applied as well on an inclination to perceive

pre-modern vernacular architecture based on secluded ethnic. The boundary did not prevent

the fact that some part of people and culture in India and Southeast Asia may emerged from a

common source of ideas and nature that developed in separated place according to different

line of history. Brahmanization did not dichotomize Southeast Asia and India as it took place in

both Kerala and Southeast Asia. The urban-genesis that took place in the pre-modern Kerala

may develop similarly with Java and Thailand. And the architecture may appear as the advanced

wooden construction using mass-produced components while the kind of architecture of the

less advanced structural typology still used bamboo.

The case of Kerala prove that rather, than drawing the line, the model of knowledge should

provide more details to understand processes that established the network that constitute

Southeast Asia and how it was reflected in the architecture. The primary knowledge about

architecture should also be accompanied by sufficient explanation about secondary

information’s of migrant-origin concept, surplus agrarian agencies, the ruling power, trades

counterpart. In this framework, religions, lingua franca, language, including architectural style

could be read not as object or typology but of as yields of a complex cultural processes, which

maybe till date in contingent state..

TOPIC – RELEVANCE OF TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN THE MODERN CONTEXT

AUTHORS – Lakshmi Priya R , IIT Roorkee

ABSTRACT – The egregious homogenization and placelessness in contemporary architecture makes
one feel perplexed and faceless in this age of technology . The repercussion of identity crises in
concurrence with the process of modernization has always been an issue of debate . With a plethora
of issues on contemporary architecture, traditional environment could serve as a solution , with its
richness in natural activity patterns and diversity of expressions.

AIM – To explore the explicit and implicit characteristics of the traditional environment and the
valuable knowledge that can be drawn as reference to the modern context

OBJECTIVES –

Understanding settlement and house forms in response to lifestyle of people adapting to the change
in time

Analysing the indigenous design features and principles

Adopting case study research methodology for in-depth understanding of the particular case

To analyse the case with a help of a model derived from various theories and guiding factors

To provide guidelines to enhance the sense of place for new housing development in the modern
context

TOPIC - REPRESENTATION OF TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN THECONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY: A

CASE OF TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

AUTHOR - VIJESH KUMAR V

KEYWORDS - Sustainable architecture; Agricultural Nalukettu; Built environment; Traditional

architecture; Modern architecture

ABSTRACT - Nature is dynamic with its own laws. Everything evolves with its dynamism and
continues to evolve with the same laws. Knowingly or unknowingly humans are also a part of this
evolution, and their art and architecture. Architecture is said to be sustainable when it performs its
functions over the dynamics of environment and of users and their activities, providing psycho-
physical-physiological comfort. Traditional architecture is a part of this architectural evolution.
Ancient architects have unlatched the secrets to manipulate the built environment, passively to
bring psycho-physical-physiological comfort, through the wise use of planning, construction
techniques and materials, which may vary with respect to different regions. There is a necessity to
explore more and study its patterns in activities, in materials and in spatial arrangement, and its
response towards dynamic ecological environment. Traditional architecture is said to be sustainable
over a time period, since it obviously failed to accommodate the changing demands of socio-cultural
patterns, for example family size. The modern construction impacts are so high on the environment
during construction as well as operation. A bird makes its nest within few days, with the resources
within its reach, without creating much impact on environment. Astonishingly humans could never
do that, even though they are said to be the most intelligent species, making their own tombs to live
in future. Hence, there is a need to understand traditional architectural context, that how it was
sustainable, and relate it with modern architectural context to evolve the factors that will affect the
sustainability. A case of traditional Kerala architecture is taken for study to understand the context.
The paper will make an attempt to understand and provide the factors which will affect the
sustainability of architecture.

AIM - This paper discusses on traditional Kerala architecture in terms of sustainability. How and
what way they were sustainable. This will lead to a conclusion that reflects the major factors
regulating the sustainability principle in today’s context. To come to a conclusion of factors affecting
the sustainability, the study has to go through certain process, which is outlined as, To understand
the reasons and the methods of Traditional ways of construction in Kerala. To understand the
factors better, through analyzing traditional and modern context with respect to Kerala Traditional
Architecture. Conclude with the major factors affecting the sustainability.

CONCLUSION - The solutions are actually simple as noticed from the past. Today the solutions are
highly technological and infinitely complex. The roots of the problems are often ignored since the
challenge it may pose. The major factors which are influencing the sustainability of modern
architecture are: Life Style factor: It is the factor of market forces and info pollution. There is
necessity to lead a simple life style. This is user responsibility to organize. Location factor: Where
the building is constructed and to preconceive the impact with the environment. Material factor:
Use of locally available materials, which may bring climatic sustainability, and increases the
affordability and reduces the embodied energy. Technology factor: Adoption of passive techniques
and use the technology with respect to necessity. Crime factor: It is a new socio-cultural concern
due to the kind of lifestyle created. This factor even made Pruitt-Igoe housing complex containing 33
apartment building blocks in US city of St. Louis, Missouri built in 1954 to torn down in 1970’s.
Ecological factor: There is a necessity to understand that we are a small part of this ecological
system. We have to respect this system through creating contact with them. Through creating a
Holistic human settlement design. User factor: There should be provisions for people to participate
in planning and decision making in civic matters is a way forward. Anil (2013) states, it is almost as if
living in the past would soon be considered futuristic’. It is not about going back to the old systems.
But there is a requirement to adopt intelligent use of present technologies. Also to develop a
humane architectural culture, so that everyone will be satisfied materially and spiritually.

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