17 Jan 2019
Number of students: 74
Faculty members: Ar. Neeraja Jayan, Ar. Sanjeev Koppar, Ar. Murali J, Ar. Vidya Srikanth
The students of 4th Semester B.Arch. were taken on a Rural Documentation study. The purpose of the trip was to gain an understanding of vernacular architecture in the coastal belt of Karnataka with reference to socio cultural context, planning, architectural character, climate, material availability and construction techniques. The knowledge gained will be documented, analysed and applied for design of a Tourist lodge within the same context.
The tour commenced on the night of 16th January by Train towards Udupi. 74 students and 4 faculty members accompanied the students.
Phase 1:
Day 1
The day started with the groups starting their work at two locations- Barkur and Brahmavar. Several typologies of residential architecture were found to exist in both Barkur and Brahmavar. Both the towns are racing towards urbanization with the old vernacular buildings being replaced with modern concrete structures. Modified patterns of land use and adaptive reuse of old structures was also observed during the reconnaissance visit. Both the selected streets appear to be based on the Agraharam concept where a temple forms the axial focus for the streets. The temple of Pancha lingeshwara was taken up for detailed documentation at Barkur and The Maha lingeshwara temple at Brahmavar. Students started with measurements and creation of plan, section and elevation details of the shrines, gopuram and sub shrines.
A second group of students worked on documenting the unique vernacular techniques of construction in the residences and identified a total of 6 typologies to document. Faculty members assisted in sketching the plan, section, construction details in timber and many ornamentation details.
Socio-economic survey was taken up for 50 households at each location. Primary data collected was on a questionnaire. Secondary data was collected from the Panchayat offices at both locations.
The Street survey Group were further divided into Land-use, age and height of buildings, Blue-green mapping, visual character, activity mapping and noting physical and social infrastructure.
The video-documentation group recorded interviews from residents, shop owners and temple priest.
The students also got an opportunity to view a Yakshagana performance at a temple in Barkur. They interacted with the artists and got a glimpse into their world.
The day concluded with a de-briefing meeting where the collected information was checked and further inputs given to increase accuracy of information collected.
Day 2
The students continued with the typology study at both locations. A third temple was identified for documentation- a structure completely of stone with a unique construction detail. The Jain Basidhi located in Barkur was also taken up for study. Barkur is celebrating the ‘Alupotsava’, between 25th to 27th January 2019. A festival commemorating the contributions of the Alupas towards the importance and heritage of Barkur. Our students were interviewed on the purpose of their visit by National Television reporters at Barkur.
Socio-economic survey was completed for both locations. Interview of more residents were recorded for documentation purposes.
Street elevation and Street plans with edge condition was also completed.
Finally, a site was identified for the design of the Tourist lodge which would be a contextual and climatic response to the rural documentation studio.
The tour concluded with all students getting an insight into the visual character of both locations Barkur and Brahmavar, understanding the surroundings and history related to Barkur and noting the unique vernacular techniques of constructions followed in the different house typologies.
The next phase of work would involve translating the recorded information into drawings, video, reports and analysis of data and finally culminate in a design. This will be done with the guidance of the studio coordinators over the next 4 months.
We thank the Director Dr. Vimala Swamy for her continued guidance towards this on-going research on Vernacular architecture of Karnataka since 2016.
We also acknowledge the support extended to us and thank our Honourable Chancellor Dr. P. Shyama Raju, Vice chancellor Dr. S.Y. Kulkarni and Registrar Dr. Dhanamjaya to carry out the study at different locations in Karnataka. Our students are indeed fortunate to get this unique opportunity to be part of a Rural documentation studio at 4th Semester.
