14.Bed rooms
As per Vasthu Master Bed room should preferably come at South west corner of the house, with head of the cot facing south.
Bed rooms have got bed space separate and a space called dress which acts as entry to toilet, thereby hiding toilet door to bed space. Dress if made spacious enough can be used to keep a dressing table. Toilets now have shower cubicles for bath instead of bath tubs. For medium size houses with two storeys, two bed rooms are preferred in Ground floor
15. Kitchen
Traditionally Keralites used to have their Kitchen in the North East corner of the house, close to well which is in the North east corner of the plot. Even though position of well is at the proper place as per Vasthu,Kitchen as per Vasthu should come preferably at South East and if not possible due to some other considerations, it can come at North West as a second option. Due to better awareness of Vasthu, present day houses have the position of Kitchen relocated.
With modular kitchens coming, proper Kitchen is kept as a show piece Kitchen and a work area is added for cleaning of vessels, cutting for food preparations etc
Earlier there used to be a Store which was just a storage room. Modular kitchen provides lot more storage space compartmentalized, and hence no need for an unorganized storage space.,
Items like Arakallu, Washing machine, Grinder for grinding of granules for making Dosa and iddlies are kept in the Work area space
16. Rear Foyer
This is a new addition to Kerala houses. It is normally provided in the rear with access from the Dining room. Mostly three sides of this covered area are kept open to have a feel of the open area. Floor level for this area is kept at ground level of the plot. Some times, grass floor is used instead of formal flooring. This is one area where family members and close friends or relatives can sit and relax, without noticing by outsiders ,when they use sit out or Poomukham
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Kerala Architecture
13. Usual items of use in old Kerala houses
a) Aattu Kattil-It is a swinging piece of wood, wide and long enough for two or three persons to sit. Four corners of this wooden piece will be firmly fixed with thick coir to the roof. One or two people will sit and somebody will push it for swinging. It is used to be fixed in large living rooms in old houses
In present day houses also, people who like this feature fix it mostly in family living area where family members can sit and swing in this as part of relaxation
b) Kindy-It is a brass utensil filled with water used to be kept at the steps of Poomukham for cleaning feet of those who enter the house. It has a side opening just like a tap so that a person can easily use it to clean his feet before entering the house
In present day houses, probably you can see this as an antique item displayed and nothing more than that
c) Montha-It is similar to Kindy made of brass. Only difference is that it does not have wide opening at top and side tap like arrangement for pouring water. It is not kept at the entry. It is kept inside the house for storage of drinking water; milk etc.While milking the cow by the house wife montha was used to collect milk pressed out of the mammary of the cow
d) Uruly-It is a larger vessel to cook food for large gatherings and to keep cooked food stored. Usually made of brass
e) Arakallu-Grinding stones-It is two pair of stones, one large with a level top and tne other round in cross section with length less than width of the base stone. It is used for manual grinding of spices and coconut for preparing curries with the main meal, rice
f) Ural-This is a granite piece almost cylindrical in shape with an opening at top which has a central portion with slight depth to keep granules to be crushed with a long piece of wood normally that of coconut wood with two ends fixed with metallic crushing elements. This long piece of wood used to crush granules to powder by repeated crushing through forcing by hand up and down by women doing house hold work in olden days Kerala, is called Ulakka.It was a familiar sight in Kerala houses where many women used to chit chat and crush granules to powder in their respective urals using Ulakka ,especially during preparation for family feasts along with functions like marriage
a) Aattu Kattil-It is a swinging piece of wood, wide and long enough for two or three persons to sit. Four corners of this wooden piece will be firmly fixed with thick coir to the roof. One or two people will sit and somebody will push it for swinging. It is used to be fixed in large living rooms in old houses
In present day houses also, people who like this feature fix it mostly in family living area where family members can sit and swing in this as part of relaxation
b) Kindy-It is a brass utensil filled with water used to be kept at the steps of Poomukham for cleaning feet of those who enter the house. It has a side opening just like a tap so that a person can easily use it to clean his feet before entering the house
In present day houses, probably you can see this as an antique item displayed and nothing more than that
c) Montha-It is similar to Kindy made of brass. Only difference is that it does not have wide opening at top and side tap like arrangement for pouring water. It is not kept at the entry. It is kept inside the house for storage of drinking water; milk etc.While milking the cow by the house wife montha was used to collect milk pressed out of the mammary of the cow
d) Uruly-It is a larger vessel to cook food for large gatherings and to keep cooked food stored. Usually made of brass
e) Arakallu-Grinding stones-It is two pair of stones, one large with a level top and tne other round in cross section with length less than width of the base stone. It is used for manual grinding of spices and coconut for preparing curries with the main meal, rice
f) Ural-This is a granite piece almost cylindrical in shape with an opening at top which has a central portion with slight depth to keep granules to be crushed with a long piece of wood normally that of coconut wood with two ends fixed with metallic crushing elements. This long piece of wood used to crush granules to powder by repeated crushing through forcing by hand up and down by women doing house hold work in olden days Kerala, is called Ulakka.It was a familiar sight in Kerala houses where many women used to chit chat and crush granules to powder in their respective urals using Ulakka ,especially during preparation for family feasts along with functions like marriage
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Kerala Architecture
9.Front Foyer
From the sit out, when you enter the house, you can have an area called Front foyer from where you can go to Formal Living room, Office room and Stair for going to First Floor .This area will thus be used more as a passage
10.Nadumuttom
Traditionally Nadumuttom or central open court yard used to be their in bigger houses of Kerala.They is an open area usually square shaped in the exact middle of the house dividing the house in its four sides. Due to this four side division of the house by having a Nadumuttom.Houses with one Nadumuttom used to be called as Nalukettu house. Similarly there was Ettu kettu and Pathinaru kettu which are quite rare
Nadumuttom will be normally open to sky. In the modern houses due to security reasons this open to sky feature is being avoided. Instead a slope roof much above other roof is provided above Nadumuttom with sides above other roof protected with steel railings for safety reasons. Air passage is possible through this steel railings thereby bringing fresh air to the middle of the house from above. Even though Nadumuttom is an old feature of Kerala Architecture, in present day houses Nadumuttom is coming back with more people going for it. I myself am now building houses featuring Nadumuttom now
11.Pooja Room
Pooja room should preferably be in the North East corner of the house. Idols should be placed facing East and the person praying should face west.At present,woodden paneling is done on Pooja room walls and there is a standard design for Pooja room which can be given to clients interested in having traditional Pooja room
12.Family Living Room
As the formal living room will be used to meet guests and for formal meetings, this area is where family members can relax and watch TV or listen to music. Present day houses in Kerala have this area or room as a standard feature
From the sit out, when you enter the house, you can have an area called Front foyer from where you can go to Formal Living room, Office room and Stair for going to First Floor .This area will thus be used more as a passage
10.Nadumuttom
Traditionally Nadumuttom or central open court yard used to be their in bigger houses of Kerala.They is an open area usually square shaped in the exact middle of the house dividing the house in its four sides. Due to this four side division of the house by having a Nadumuttom.Houses with one Nadumuttom used to be called as Nalukettu house. Similarly there was Ettu kettu and Pathinaru kettu which are quite rare
Nadumuttom will be normally open to sky. In the modern houses due to security reasons this open to sky feature is being avoided. Instead a slope roof much above other roof is provided above Nadumuttom with sides above other roof protected with steel railings for safety reasons. Air passage is possible through this steel railings thereby bringing fresh air to the middle of the house from above. Even though Nadumuttom is an old feature of Kerala Architecture, in present day houses Nadumuttom is coming back with more people going for it. I myself am now building houses featuring Nadumuttom now
11.Pooja Room
Pooja room should preferably be in the North East corner of the house. Idols should be placed facing East and the person praying should face west.At present,woodden paneling is done on Pooja room walls and there is a standard design for Pooja room which can be given to clients interested in having traditional Pooja room
12.Family Living Room
As the formal living room will be used to meet guests and for formal meetings, this area is where family members can relax and watch TV or listen to music. Present day houses in Kerala have this area or room as a standard feature
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Kerala Architecture
4. Poomukham
It is where you enter the house climbing up steps in the front. Traditionally it has a slope tiled roof with pillars supporting roof. Sides are open. In the earlier days, the Head of the family called Karanavar used to sit here in a reclining chair with thuppal kolambi (Spittoon) by the side of chair. This chair will have long rails on either side where the Karanavar will keep his legs raised for comfortable rest
5. Chuttu verandah
From the Poomukham you can walk through Chuttu verandah to either side in front of the house through open passage called Chuttu Verandah.Chuttu verandah will have hanging lights in equal distance hanging from its slope roof
6. Charupady
By the side of Chuttu verandah and Poomukham, woodden benches with carved decorative resting woodden pieces for resting the back are provided. This is called Charupady.Traditionally the family members or visitors used to sit on these Charupady to talk
7. Ambal Kulam (Pond)
At the end of Chuttu verandah there used to be a small pond built with rubble on sides where water living tree called Thamara or Ambal used to be planted which will have beautiful flowers
8. Living Room
After Poomukham, we enter Living room where formal seating arrangement is provided for formal meetings with family members and guests. This is one of the larger rooms of the house. Preferable measurements can be 20 feet by 13 feet (600 cm by 390 cm) or whatever the Architect may find suitable for the plot
It is where you enter the house climbing up steps in the front. Traditionally it has a slope tiled roof with pillars supporting roof. Sides are open. In the earlier days, the Head of the family called Karanavar used to sit here in a reclining chair with thuppal kolambi (Spittoon) by the side of chair. This chair will have long rails on either side where the Karanavar will keep his legs raised for comfortable rest
5. Chuttu verandah
From the Poomukham you can walk through Chuttu verandah to either side in front of the house through open passage called Chuttu Verandah.Chuttu verandah will have hanging lights in equal distance hanging from its slope roof
6. Charupady
By the side of Chuttu verandah and Poomukham, woodden benches with carved decorative resting woodden pieces for resting the back are provided. This is called Charupady.Traditionally the family members or visitors used to sit on these Charupady to talk
7. Ambal Kulam (Pond)
At the end of Chuttu verandah there used to be a small pond built with rubble on sides where water living tree called Thamara or Ambal used to be planted which will have beautiful flowers
8. Living Room
After Poomukham, we enter Living room where formal seating arrangement is provided for formal meetings with family members and guests. This is one of the larger rooms of the house. Preferable measurements can be 20 feet by 13 feet (600 cm by 390 cm) or whatever the Architect may find suitable for the plot
Kerala Architecture
Kerala is a state of India in the southern tip with Arabian Sea kissing its sands on the western long side. On the eastern side, hilly plantations and greenery rich with spice plantations like cardamom, coffee, tea, pepper. From the east to west from hilly green forests to seashore, several rivers flow to join lakes and finally flowing down to join with the sea.
A real delight for the eyes and psyche of any tourist, Kerala is the most beautiful state of India and even one of the most beautiful places in Earth
Kerala also has got a rich history of art, culture and naturally architecture of its own. People from all over the world used to come to Kerala mainly for spices produced by eastern hilly regions of Kerala.They brought along alien culture, languages, religions and architecture.Kerala Architecture of today is influenced by the alien culture and architecture brought by people and cultural influences brought by them to Kerala from outside the state and outside India .But original Kerala Architecture has its own unique features
1. Selection of place for construction of House
Place where the house has to be built is first selected. In a larger plot, Plot has to be divided into four equal parts and the North eastern part of the divided parts is taken for construction of the house
House is preferably built facing East and other options are considered only if there is no road or access to the plot from the east. Other options of front of the house are North, West and South in that order
2. Location of well
Well was very important for the house as the only source of drinking water, water for agriculture and water for bath, cleaning etc, .Well has to be in the North East corner of the house. If a line is drawn between North East corner of the house to North East corner of the plot, the line should not touch the Well or cut it
3. Padippura
It is a structure containing a door forming part of Compound wall for the house with a tiled roof on top. It is the formal entry to the compound with the house. At present the door is not there as car will have to enter the house through the entry. Still tiled roof is provided preferably with a traditional type lamp below the roof. Instead of door of entry, we now have the Gate
A real delight for the eyes and psyche of any tourist, Kerala is the most beautiful state of India and even one of the most beautiful places in Earth
Kerala also has got a rich history of art, culture and naturally architecture of its own. People from all over the world used to come to Kerala mainly for spices produced by eastern hilly regions of Kerala.They brought along alien culture, languages, religions and architecture.Kerala Architecture of today is influenced by the alien culture and architecture brought by people and cultural influences brought by them to Kerala from outside the state and outside India .But original Kerala Architecture has its own unique features
1. Selection of place for construction of House
Place where the house has to be built is first selected. In a larger plot, Plot has to be divided into four equal parts and the North eastern part of the divided parts is taken for construction of the house
House is preferably built facing East and other options are considered only if there is no road or access to the plot from the east. Other options of front of the house are North, West and South in that order
2. Location of well
Well was very important for the house as the only source of drinking water, water for agriculture and water for bath, cleaning etc, .Well has to be in the North East corner of the house. If a line is drawn between North East corner of the house to North East corner of the plot, the line should not touch the Well or cut it
3. Padippura
It is a structure containing a door forming part of Compound wall for the house with a tiled roof on top. It is the formal entry to the compound with the house. At present the door is not there as car will have to enter the house through the entry. Still tiled roof is provided preferably with a traditional type lamp below the roof. Instead of door of entry, we now have the Gate
Monday, June 30, 2008
BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN KERALA
Architectural Guidance
TOPIC 1-BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN KERALA
Step 1: Selection of Plot
If you do not have land of your own either inherited or acquired, you will have to purchase land for constructing your dream house. While choosing land suitable it is better to avail professional guidance to check suitability on account of
a) Soil nature
b) Statutory clearances and other building rules compatibility
c) Vasthu considerations
d) Level of land whether plain or sloped
e) Other architectural and technical considerations including shape and dimensions of the plot
Step 2: Legal Verification and Documentation
You have to verify the legal title of the property with the assistance of a lawyer experienced in civil cases
You also have to make enquiries with local administration authorities whether the land is frozen for any public projects or any other objections in constructing a house in that land is prevailing
Proper drafting of deed of purchase of property will have to be done to ensure that your title of property is clear and without any complications.
Step 3: Preparation of Basic plan of your Building
This is the most important part in the construction of your dream house
A real good plan can make your house real good with most appropriate design, effective space utilization, substantial savings in cost, good appearance
An improper plan literally make you waste the money spent on construction with many inconveniences and problems which you will start realizing after you move into the house. But that will be too late to do anything to improve or correct the damages
Always get your house plan prepared by an expert experienced Architect.
Step 4: Preparation of engineering estimate for your Construction
Costing is not as simple as multiplying the square feet area of your plan with some square feet cost which a non professional builder or contractor may quote to you
There is no common square feet cost for a building. Each building is different in material inputs, work involved, specifications, choices of owner and many other factors
You need an engineering estimate giving detailed costing for each part of the work involved quantified in engineering terms
A proper picture of the expected cost of construction along with various options to control costs should be ready before you start construction.
Step 5: Proper selection of Woodden or other types of Joinery
Wood used for your Joinery (Doors and Windows) are going to be part of your basic structure. Care should be taken with professional assistance to select good quality wood or other type of joinery.
Step 6: Structural Design of the Building
Steel reinforcements and concreted parts of your building are extremely vital for the stability of your building. Never leave it to a nonprofessional labour contractor to do as he pleases. It can be real harmful to your building and its long term stability. Get the design done by a qualified Structural Consultant and ensure that your builder follows it correctly.
Step 7: Proper selection of material used for Construction
Do not go by the advice of material suppliers or traders on quality of material to be used for Construction. Get professional guidance.
Step 8: Electrical and Plumbing works
An Architect can guide you on Electrical and Plumbing lay out for the building along with material to be used and proper installation of electrical and plumbing, fittings and equipments. Even while selecting fittings you need professional advice to choose the best within your budget among various options available.
Step 9: Painting
Painting is now an important part of Construction. It can change the appearance and inner good feelings as well as outer appearance of a building to great extent. Colour consultants are now available to guide you on colour selection. Your architect can guide you effectively in this.
Step 10: Flooring
We now have several options for appropriate flooring for your building. Depending upon your budget the best option for you can be selected with the assistance of a professional. Proper laying of the Flooring material is also equally important to obtain the best results
Step 11: Interior design and Interior work
A Proper Interior design can make lot of difference to utility, appearance and even the
moods and comforts of the inhabitants of the building. Get a professional Interior design and go for traditional Kerala hand carved interior woodden work if you can afford it.
Step 12: Compound wall, gate and other outside works
Compound wall need not be just a compound wall. It can be a designer compound wall adding value and beauty to your house. Even the gate, gate pillars can add value to your house if properly designed and done. Car porch Floor and drive way can be done with designer tiles.
Step 13: Landscaping
Landscaping deal with designing your outer space around the house in the most appropriate manner giving utility and appearance adding value to your house
Step 14: Other servicesYou have to keep the services of an Electrician and Plumber on call basis to meet any emergency requirement. It is preferable to have the same professional agency who have done your building as they alone will know details of the connections
For guidance and assistance mail me to vhthomas@viruvelil.com or call me 00 91 9388701702,9388701700,9388701707
TOPIC 1-BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN KERALA
Step 1: Selection of Plot
If you do not have land of your own either inherited or acquired, you will have to purchase land for constructing your dream house. While choosing land suitable it is better to avail professional guidance to check suitability on account of
a) Soil nature
b) Statutory clearances and other building rules compatibility
c) Vasthu considerations
d) Level of land whether plain or sloped
e) Other architectural and technical considerations including shape and dimensions of the plot
Step 2: Legal Verification and Documentation
You have to verify the legal title of the property with the assistance of a lawyer experienced in civil cases
You also have to make enquiries with local administration authorities whether the land is frozen for any public projects or any other objections in constructing a house in that land is prevailing
Proper drafting of deed of purchase of property will have to be done to ensure that your title of property is clear and without any complications.
Step 3: Preparation of Basic plan of your Building
This is the most important part in the construction of your dream house
A real good plan can make your house real good with most appropriate design, effective space utilization, substantial savings in cost, good appearance
An improper plan literally make you waste the money spent on construction with many inconveniences and problems which you will start realizing after you move into the house. But that will be too late to do anything to improve or correct the damages
Always get your house plan prepared by an expert experienced Architect.
Step 4: Preparation of engineering estimate for your Construction
Costing is not as simple as multiplying the square feet area of your plan with some square feet cost which a non professional builder or contractor may quote to you
There is no common square feet cost for a building. Each building is different in material inputs, work involved, specifications, choices of owner and many other factors
You need an engineering estimate giving detailed costing for each part of the work involved quantified in engineering terms
A proper picture of the expected cost of construction along with various options to control costs should be ready before you start construction.
Step 5: Proper selection of Woodden or other types of Joinery
Wood used for your Joinery (Doors and Windows) are going to be part of your basic structure. Care should be taken with professional assistance to select good quality wood or other type of joinery.
Step 6: Structural Design of the Building
Steel reinforcements and concreted parts of your building are extremely vital for the stability of your building. Never leave it to a nonprofessional labour contractor to do as he pleases. It can be real harmful to your building and its long term stability. Get the design done by a qualified Structural Consultant and ensure that your builder follows it correctly.
Step 7: Proper selection of material used for Construction
Do not go by the advice of material suppliers or traders on quality of material to be used for Construction. Get professional guidance.
Step 8: Electrical and Plumbing works
An Architect can guide you on Electrical and Plumbing lay out for the building along with material to be used and proper installation of electrical and plumbing, fittings and equipments. Even while selecting fittings you need professional advice to choose the best within your budget among various options available.
Step 9: Painting
Painting is now an important part of Construction. It can change the appearance and inner good feelings as well as outer appearance of a building to great extent. Colour consultants are now available to guide you on colour selection. Your architect can guide you effectively in this.
Step 10: Flooring
We now have several options for appropriate flooring for your building. Depending upon your budget the best option for you can be selected with the assistance of a professional. Proper laying of the Flooring material is also equally important to obtain the best results
Step 11: Interior design and Interior work
A Proper Interior design can make lot of difference to utility, appearance and even the
moods and comforts of the inhabitants of the building. Get a professional Interior design and go for traditional Kerala hand carved interior woodden work if you can afford it.
Step 12: Compound wall, gate and other outside works
Compound wall need not be just a compound wall. It can be a designer compound wall adding value and beauty to your house. Even the gate, gate pillars can add value to your house if properly designed and done. Car porch Floor and drive way can be done with designer tiles.
Step 13: Landscaping
Landscaping deal with designing your outer space around the house in the most appropriate manner giving utility and appearance adding value to your house
Step 14: Other servicesYou have to keep the services of an Electrician and Plumber on call basis to meet any emergency requirement. It is preferable to have the same professional agency who have done your building as they alone will know details of the connections
For guidance and assistance mail me to vhthomas@viruvelil.com or call me 00 91 9388701702,9388701700,9388701707
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