CHETTINAD STYLE ARCHITECTURE. ARCHITECTURE •
The Nattukottai Chettiar traders followed the expansion of the British Empire into Southeast Asia for their business. They brought back Burmese teak and European tiles for their mansions, and were inspired by colonial and palace architecture. They also incorporated the wealth of wood sculpting and craftsmanship from local craftsmen in their homes.
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Chettinad architecture stands out for its use of large spaces in halls and courtyards, ornate embellishments like Belgian glasswork, intricate woodwork, spectacular ceramic tiles, stone, iron and wooden pillars, together creating an indigenous amalgam of traditional Indian architecture and various European styles.
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The front of traditional Chettinadu houses always features a “ thinnai “, that is a raised street verandah used for social functions. The front door opens to a large hall or a courtyard with a pluvarium in its centre. The bedrooms and different rooms are all distributed all around the courtyard space.