Kerala

The secular as well as religious wooden architecture of Kerala is unique in South Asia and seems to have some uncanny connections/semblances with parts of China and Japan. The house types and their plan organization and the generic temple plans emerging from Vastu Shastra have their unique position within the Indian and Asian architecture. A single-winged to sixteen courtyard houses as well as square, circular and the apsidal temple plans resulted from such canonical literature. The genres share wooden construction system; details, elements and language especially in the making of roofs. The temple roofs are comparatively more complex and evolved; their plinths are distinct from their Northern counterpart. They have their generic order. Spatiality of temple precinct and especially of the inner one gives a unique spatial-spiritual experience.The overall architectural ambiance is defined by the wooden walls of the houses, the column types and their orders, the courtyards of the Nambudri as well as the Nayar families and the importance of the kitchen well. Raised platform is thematic in courtyard houses of these two communities.

Sri Durga Devi temple, Kumaranaloor, Kerala

Sri Durga Devi temple, Kumaranaloor, Kerala

1 The inside space around the main temple. The wing on the right hand side contains the kitchen and sundry temple functions. Clockwise: 2 The double-spired roof with copper tiles. 3 The wooden sculptures in the neck separating the two roofs. 4 The vessels for cooking and other purposes of the temple. 5 The chitram (wall painting) on the wall of the main temple.

Kerala

Kerala

House types of Kerala with predominant wooden roofs in different regions.

Kerala

Kerala

Typical roof details of Kerala wooden architecture of some temples and houses.

Brahmaswom Madam, A Vedic School, Trishur, Kerala

Brahmaswom Madam, A Vedic School, Trishur, Kerala

Water level plan, ground floor plan, and a section through the school. One can see three distinct madams (schools). Behind the classrooms are the courtyard houses of the teachers of each Veda. Measured drawn by the author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.
Brahmaswom Madam, A Vedic school, Trichur, Kerala

Brahmaswom Madam, A Vedic school, Trichur, Kerala

The madam or the ashram seen from the sacred water body where the inmates take their morning ritual bath. The front part of the entire upper roof is the classroom. Behind is a house with a courtyard belonging to the teacher of one Veda.

Suryakaladimana, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Suryakaladimana, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

A famous Namboothiri (temple priest) house. Two sections, one with the aara (store room for paddy, vessels, etc.), nilavara (underground store room) and double roof system and the other through the main hall courtyard and the house temple. Measured drawn in 1996 by the author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.
Sri Durga Devi temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Sri Durga Devi temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

A wooden model designed and made at 1:20 scale for the exhibition “Ill why?” in Switzerland by the author’s office – ARCHICRAFTS (Year 1995).

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Front view looking at namaskar mandap (salutation pavilion) and the shree kovil. The wooden roof is finished with copper tiles. Below: Section through the main gate with details of the wooden roof and dormer, in the lower roof and the loft atop. Measured drawn in 1994 by the author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Section through the shree kovil (sanctum sanctorum) with a wooden double spired circular roof. Below: Section through the wooden roof of namaskar mandap (salutation pavilion), with the temple seen behind. Measured in 1994 drawn by the author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Sri Durga Devi Temple, Kumaranaloor, Kottayam, Kerala

Generic roof and ground floor plan with the padipura (the main gate). Measured drawn in 1994 by the author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.

Arakkal house, South Pambadi, Kottayam, Kerala

Arakkal house, South Pambadi, Kottayam, Kerala

A Hindu house type with a double roof, distinct aara (store room for paddy, vessels and valuables), nilavaara (underground store room) and a loft with a double roof, lower one lined with stone for protection against fire. Measured Drawn in 1996 by the authors office - ARCHICRAFTS.

Koothambalam (Dance Drama Theatre), Trichur, Kerala

Koothambalam (Dance Drama Theatre), Trichur, Kerala

The building with a looming roof, ceiling details, roof, columns and corner detail.

Tellicherry Mosque, Tellicherry, Kerala (c.1806 A.D)

Tellicherry Mosque, Tellicherry, Kerala (c.1806 A.D)

East elevation, South elevation and Ground floor plan. Measured Drawn in 1996 by the Author’s office - ARCHICRAFTS.

Mishkal Mosque, Calicut, Kerala, (c.1500 A.D)

Mishkal Mosque, Calicut, Kerala, (c.1500 A.D)

Prayer Hall on ground floor and upper floors but the upper floors are also used for resting as well as a Madrasa. Below: Killivathil - Some typical wooden details such as secondary members pierced through the primary members.