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ASSAM TYPE HOUSE ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION?

By Tapash Kalita, Architect Ph. No. - 98597 53195

Out of the many things that make Assam beautiful, one of them is the Vernacular
Assam type House. But as I walk on the streets of Guwahati and travel through the nearby
districts today, this mesmerising sight is slowly and gradually diminishing. People these days
generally opt for RCC structures rather than timber frameworks with Ikora panels. Yes, times
are changing and Assam type houses no longer cater to the needs of the growing population
and the scarcity of space which is why vertical growth in buildings has become a necessity.
But can this vernacular style of architecture be merged with the contemporary design
attributes so that a fusion can be created where modern and vernacular style of architecture
can co-exist? Ofcourse, it is very much possible.

The Assam type houses have passed the test of time as it can be seen that many
Assam type houses in both rural and urban areas of Assam are still intact. They are a live
example of the practice of sustainable architecture which is gaining a lot of importance in
todays world. Our own house is Assam type and has survived over 40 long years and the
most interesting part is that it still looks like it was built only a year ago. The Assam type
houses provide a very good solution to the almost never ending rainfall in the region with its
sloping roofs. The walls are generally made of bricks till sill level and are net plastered which
means they are cement plastered on thin iron or bamboo nets above the sill level. This makes
the building light weight with anti-seismic properties. The concept of false ceiling which is
gaining much popularity these days has always been a significant feature of the Assam type
houses as they maintain the thermal balance inside the house. Another important feature of
these houses is the large number of windows provided on the outer facade which helps in
proper ventilation and daylighting of the rooms thus reducing the energy consumption. The
last but most important feature of the practice of vernacular architecture which is known to
most of us is the use of locally available materials. This architectural form is quite simple,
economical, satisfies the social setup, cultural needs and above all, it intelligently meets the
climatic requirements. There is a parallel that can be drawn between the vernacular architects
of the past and modern day architects. Vernacular architects were limited to the use of
materials that were available and could be physically obtained locally. Today, architects have
the same limitation, this one not being based on geographic location but on a buildings
budget. Hence, we can see that there is somewhat a similarity between the vernacular features
of an Assam type house and the contemporary aspects of a modern day building. Therefore,
we can use these features as far as possible to create a convergence and a better form which is
an amalgam of modern and traditional practices of architecture with an aesthetically and
visually appealing design.

The Assam type House shows the combination of local climate conditions, available
materials, design techniques, living style, traditions and socioeconomic conditions of the
region. The most important aspect is that this style of architecture has evolved over the ages
through trial and error methods; they meet the social, cultural, economic and day to day
requirements, apart from the solar passive features and maintaining thermal comfort
conditions inside the houses. Today, every building is thriving to achieve Green Building
Ratings and every architect approaches a design from a sustainable point of view. But as can
be seen, these architectural aspects have always been existent and evident in the Assam type
house; be it the sloping roof style for streamlining the rainfall or the large number of fenestral
openings for proper ventilation and control of humidity inside the house. The use of locally
available materials also adds to the cut in the transportation and labour costs of the structure.

Man is a social animal and the humanistic desire to be culturally connected to ones
surroundings is reflected in a harmonious architecture, an architectural genre which itself serves
as an identity for that place. The sociological aspect of a region is actually present in the materials
used, an architectural pattern, a colour scheme that runs through the veins of the urban network.
The present urban planning is very haphazard and unsystematic and architecture exists only in
singularity we can say that that specific building is very beautiful but we cannot say that the
city is architecturally sound. In order to make an entire city or town in our region architecturally
aesthetic one must never plan or design a building without incorporating the traditional features
of Assam type houses in some way or the other. And this is where architects and interior
designers all over Assam play a very vital role as their job is to share what they know about the
richness of this architecture with the common people, to share their knowledge of the building
materials and their advantages, about how new architecture can evolve from this, that new ways
of building must necessarily derive from the past, which were developed over many years and
responded to the climate, used materials that didnt disturb our ecological balance thus making
the people aware of the need and importance of vernacular Assam type house features in todays
modern architecture. No doubt every architect or interior designer has their own unique style but
they mustnt hesitate in incorporating the traditional constructive attributes of the Assam type
house.

Vernacular architecture Assam type house provides a very important connection


between humans and environment in this part of the world and isnt this what we are striving and
thriving for in this post modern age? - A simple connection between man and nature? Assam is a
land of culture and tradition and its Assam type houses themselves communicate with the user
and the onlooker. Let us not disconnect the user from the environment, let us all try to keep the
existence of Assam type houses eternal while practising contemporary architecture in the modern
world be it through planning or aesthetics or the interior design or the passive features.

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