Understanding the climate sensitive architecture of Marikal, a village in Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Architecture and climate are engaged in a happy marriage in any indigenously developed settlement. We documented and analysed a vernacular settlement, Marikal in composite climatic region of A.P., as part of a large development project. Marikal’s form and structure are a result of centuries of evolutionary process and knowledge transfer, reflecting a set of varying physical and nonphysical determinant forces such as climate and geology, religion, socio-cultural values, economics, technology and administrative factors. It is a closely knit fabric of small clusters of dwellings comprising of thick white walls, heavy roofs, small windows and narrow streets. Many house typologies are identified. The house plans essentially vary in size, shape and detailing, but not in their climate sensitivity. They are in great harmony with the occupation/activities of the occupant. The occupants adaptively synchronize their activities with the spatial environmental qualities of the space. However, the ‘house form’ of Marikal is transforming due to social forces and the availability of electric controls in the recent decades. Once highly climate sensitive architecture and behavioural patterns are slowly getting metamorphosed into architecture and attitudes that are irreverent to climate and context. This study calls for a code of practice balancing modernization with the vernacular.