FIGURE 110 FRONT ELEVATION OF THE BUILDING FIGURE 111 (CHUTTU) EXTERNAL VERANDAH

3.7 ONLINE CASE STUDY – 1 HOUSE AT KERALA

SITE AREA: 180 sq.m. LOCATION: Kumbalam, Kerala

Traditional Courtyard House (Nalukettu): The nalukettu house is a traditional Keralan courtyard house that is composed of four blocks arranged around an open courtyard. It has a square or rectangular shape, high pitched roofs, and an open courtyard for ventilation and light. Both the indoor and outside verandas provide shade and protection from the elements. The arrangement of the blocks and courtyard follows the laws of scales and proportions. Two verandahs—one outside and one interior—are positioned between the rooms. In order to prevent direct heat from entering the living spaces, the exterior veranda that runs the length of the building's footprint serves as a buffer space. Light and air from the courtyard are dispersed and distributed throughout the building via the internal veranda, which serves as the main axis of circulation. To stop moisture from the ground from entering, high plinths are offered. Common materials include bamboo, laterite, clay, wood, palm leaves, and granite stone for foundations.

The house is separated into two sections: the living room and kitchen are made of laterite bricks bound in lime, while the bedrooms and store are made of wood. View of the nadumuttuom through the outer door, as well as the store's entrance, are also visible. Everything is in perfect line and order, demonstrating how much the traditional craftspeople valued order.

Figure 110 FRONT ELEVATION OF THE BUILDING Figure 111 (CHUTTU) EXTERNAL VERANDAH

[SOURCE-https://www.academia.edu/3557744/Kerala_Architecture_A_Case_study] [SOURCE-https://www.academia.edu/3557744/Kerala_Architecture_A_Case_study]

THE GROUND FLOOR LAYOUT

The design is built on Vasthu Shastra principles, just as all conventional Keralan buildings. The home is built using a rectangular building method known as the "Nalukettu" (four ties) technique. The proportions of the measurements of each rectangular block show that the artisans adhered to Vasthu and its ideals. Both 220*290 and 8015*10700 have a 1: 1.3 ratio. The house is surrounded by an open veranda, or chuttu.

ATTIC SPACE

The Attic was used as a general store. The pillars are a new addition put up to support the decaying wooden beams. Comes directly above the wooden block consisting of the rooms and the store. The block on the left in the background. Red indicates the roofing limit. The Attic is highlighted. Pink is the veranda.