Vernacular architecture

Kerala - Padmanabhapuram
palace.

THE SREE PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE

Represents the most classic Kerala domestic architecture.
It is also the largest wooden palace in india made on sloping roofs,
granite
and rosewood, teak wood work combinations.

It is one of the best examples of wooden architecture that has

come to symbolise the vernacular architecture of Kerala.
The palace complex is a masterpiece - an intriguing play of
volumes, scale, spatial planning & courtyards, all of which
have a strong underlying cohesiveness.
The spaces move from the public spaces on the periphery
to the more private spaces as one moves towards the core,
reflected through variations in scale & proportion, producing
very interesting spaces
The antique interiors are replete with intricate rosewood
carvings and sculptured decor.
The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals.
One can see: the musical bow in mahogany, windows with
coloured mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings,
'Thaikkottaram' or the Queen Mother's palace with painted
ceilings,
rose wood and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral

The entrance to the complex is from the west,

through a formal version of the Padipura or the
entrance gate, which is common in all the
traditional dwellings of Kerala.
The central focus of the entire composition is the
Mothers palace or the Thai Kottaram, around which
all the other spaces are organised.
There are separate halls for audiences & gatherings, a
large dance hall, feeding halls of various sizes, kitchen,
residences for the king & other dignitaries, weapons
store, bath houses, offices and even a temple.
There is also a 4 storeyed Upprika Malika in the
complex, constructed in the 1740s, which is a testament
to the technological progress at that time.
. A 300 year old clock tower in the palace stands
witness to the march of time and is still now in good
working condition

 Though there is no formal symmetrical spatial layout to

be found as such, there lies a strong organisation

principle, which creates a very coherent & unifying
whole.

The various built spaces are interlinked & accessed

through a series of courtyards & open spaces

which vary volumetrically & in scale depending upon
the level of privacy required, most often, being very
intimate in nature.

The roof forms are the most dominating element in

the whole complex, which through their wonderful

juxtaposition creates an impressive visual composition
an ever changing play of light, shadow & mass.

The columns are mainly in wood & stone and support

the wooden roof structure, which has been designed

very creatively to be functional as well as aesthetic.