Traditional Architecture
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These Indian architectural features have weathered the onslaught of modernism and emerged as abiding favorites
Meghna MehtaSeptember 1, 2018
House India Contributor. An architect by education and a journalist by passion, I chose to pursue a cross-road between the two. After completing my post graduation from CEPT University, I am currently sub-editor at a leading architecture magazine and implementing my keen interests towards research, theory and its manifestations in the field of design.
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India has a long history of varied cultures, traditions, languages, rulers and religions. This has resulted in a multitude of architectural ideas, influences and styles that evolved through the centuries in different parts of the country. Here are some common denominators and how they have found a space and are making an impact even in modern homes.
Khosla Associates
1. Courtyards
Homes around India adopted courtyards as a way to respond to the climate of their regions. In the pol houses of Gujarat, the wada residences of Maharashtra and the nalukettu buildings of Kerala, this traditional element helps inhabitants withstand the summer heat. In summer, convection draws warm air out of the rooms around the courtyard, and they are sheltered from the hot summer wind called loo. In winter, courtyards are places to bask in the sun while being sheltered from cold winds.
Khosla Associates created this beautiful semiopen courtyard as a soothing buffer space.
Ashleys
Courtyards are also great spaces to socialize, bring the family together and connect with nature.
2. Pitched Roofs With Verandas
Slanted roofs covered with Mangalore tiles of baked red clay are a common sight in Indian towns and villages. There are several reasons for their popularity: The tiles are readily available, easy to make and climate-appropriate.
Roofs like the one on this house by are not only suitable for heavy rain, but they also provide a good height for the interior spaces.
Monica Khanna Designs
A pitched roof coupled with a veranda is a physical expression of the traditional warm and welcoming culture of India. A veranda is an intermediate space that opens the home to the outside world. This idea aligns with the Hindu code of conduct of being hospitable to guests. It comes from the Sanskrit saying Atithi Devo Bhava (guests are like gods) and is widely practiced even today.
Designed by Monica Khanna Designs, this veranda in a Delhi farmhouse is integrated with a cooling water feature.
Shabnam Gupta
3. Pictorial Nods to History
In India, historical references are often tweaked to bring them into contemporary homes and complement the largely modern ambiance. In this Mumbai apartment by The Orange Lane, a painting of a horse in the old Mughal style finds a present-day application.
Shabnam Gupta
India is the land where Buddha attained enlightenment. The reference to the Bodhi Tree at the entrance of this house is a throwback to Indian roots. The hanging diya lamps and the curved ceiling typical of village houses bring in a rural architectural touch.
The Raj Company
4. Richly Carved Wooden Furniture
Exquisitely and profusely carved wooden furniture shouts vernacular Indian style. Intricate carvings in wood and marble were symbolic of prosperity in the olden days and were mainly seen in the palaces and forts of kings and queens. Eventually others aspired to display this royal design element in their homes, and today it’s common to find traditional houses with beautifully carved window and door frames.
This four-poster bed designed by The Raj Co. with carved posts and legs is reminiscent of the furniture found in the palaces of Rajasthan and alludes to a bygone time.
The Raj Company
A traditional Indian living room typically has a long cushioned diwan (daybed) with bolsters on the sides and several pillows in colorful Indian fabrics. A diwan is a sturdy piece of furniture and can easily last 15 to 20 years. It’s often used with an Indian or a Persian rug.
Browse traditional rugsGoodEarth
5. Jharokha-Style Balconies
A jharokha, which literally means skylight, is a small overhanging balcony enclosed by intricately carved screens of wood or stone. Traditionally a jharokha was used in the palace by ladies of the court to keep an eye on the day’s proceedings without being seen.
The jharokha has found many current adaptations across India in various materials like wood, marble, brick and concrete. In this project by GoodEarth, the balcony has solid wooden posts as supports and a carved wooden railing.
The Raj Company
Jharokha adaptations evoke the romance and history associated with the balcony, adding an Indian appeal to contemporary decor. This jharokha-inspired false window with a relief statue of a hen gives the wall a quirky traditional context.
Swapnil Bapat
6. Intricate Jaali Patterns
A jaali is a screen of intricately carved cutouts in a wall or window. Used in Indian architecture since bygone times, it filters light and breezes into the interiors, creating beautiful patterns throughout the day. This jaali opens to a courtyard, allowing air into the house while shielding the interior from view.
SPASM
The applications have evolved over time, but the jaali continues to create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. Here’s an example in a contemporary house by SPASM.
Shabnam Gupta
The jaali is increasingly used in homes to subtly divide spaces. On the right, an intricately woven curtain creates a similar partitioning effect.
Ashleys
7. Sculptures With Context
In a landscaped area with a thatched-roof gazebo, The Ashleys placed a traditional stone sculpture of the Ashoka Chakra (featured on many of the stone-carved edicts of Emperor Ashoka, and part of the Indian flag. It brings an immediate Indian context to the outdoor space.
Shabnam Gupta
In India, where the cow is worshipped by Hindus, many rural families have one. In this city home designed by The Orange Lane, a charming reference was made with the sculpture of a cow sitting in the building compound.
Ashleys
8. Jhoola Swings
Indian yards traditionally had a jhoola (swing) consisting of a slab of wood suspended by ropes from the bough of a tree.
Times have changed, and now the swings come in different designs and finishes to suit modern homes. Typically seen in living rooms and on balconies as a part of a seating setup, they are much loved and used in common spaces.
Dipen Gada and Associates
incorporated a jhoola in the seating on this patio. It’s traditional in detail but modern in overall look.
Browse outdoor swingsTell us: Which of these Indian elements speaks most to you? Let us know in the Comments.
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