siliconindia | | FEBRUARY 20209course of the construction techniques adapted there.The Dravidian style of architec-ture down South emerged and grew during the reign of several dynasties. The central courtyard homes with rooms built all-around worked well for the humid weather. The court-yards enabled the hot air to cool-down and move within the household. Typ-ically, in most of the traditional In-dian households, the inner courtyard would function as a private yet out-door space, secluded from unwant-ed eyes. Stone is considered as the most sacred building material, and its availability in abundance made it a vital construction material for Hin-du Temples. The rock-cut monoliths with stone and timber ornamentation became the architectural expression with the material resources and the construction techniques.The 21st Century Indian ArchitectureThe vernacular building technolo-gies in India are being passed-down from generation to generation as they cater locally to the climate, material & strong cultural ethos. But, over a while, a lack of understanding of the material and its appreciation has led to the slow decay of indigenous ar-chitecture in India. This contradicts the fact that the beauty & utility of our native architecture has been time tested and survived the ever-evolv-ing Socio-Cultural & Climatic Con-ditions. Construction in India is a labor-intensive process, and the acute shortage of skilled craftsmen is one of the key reasons for the loss of the rich architectural heritage of the region. BottomlineFrom igloos to bamboo houses, from thatched roofs to terraced roofs, people create shelter & comfort in unique structures in response to their locations on the globe. With the ex-amples quoted above from North to down south, it is indicative that the culture of a place determines the form of material through their local craftsmanship which is embedded in a cultural and environmental context. The interpretation of the material by the craftsmen and his adaptation of the construction techniques to suit a set of local conditions generate a particular form of material, which is culture-specific. This is the truthful expression of vernacular instincts in design. Developing the skills of the lo-cal labor and introducing them to new construction techniques can help to plan new settlements and upgrade the existing ones. Rahul Bhatt, Managing DirectorStone is considered as the most sacred building material, and its availability in abundance made it a vital construction material for Hindu Temples
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