The Toda Mund (Hut)

The Toda Mund (Hut) INDIAN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

OUSSAMA YAHYA 200910017 FAHD AL DABBOS ABDULLAH M.KHAZAAL

Vernacular Architecture Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude and unrefined, but also has proponents who highlight its importance in current design. It can be contrasted against polite architecture which is characterized by stylistic elements of design intentionally incorporated for aesthetic purposes which go beyond a building's functional requirements.

Abstract 

As you go closer to nature, you get a divine feeling. That is what anyone experience in a green hill station like Nilgiris in South India. Evolution of civilized man brought across many ideas through his incessant, tedious discoveries on creating a comfortable shelter. Every traditional human habitat belongs to a particular region which is influenced by physio-geographic factors like physiography, geological structure, forest cover, climatic conditions, soil properties etc.

Introduction 

Toda Settlements consist of few semi barrel shaped huts, These structures, though specially suited for the place, aesthetically and functionally; some minor modifications have to be incorporated so as to meet the present day human needs and comfort. The settlements of Toda do not have any enclosed barrier of gate or fence, but the units of the settlement are just dispersed in the surroundings of the glorious landscape of Nilgiris. Many of these settlements in this hill station have deteriorated now. Every settlement is called mund which means village. Every mund consists of dwelling huts, fenced off circular open ground for buffaloes, sheds for calves and a temple.

Dwelling unit 

Dwelling unit or hut is called arsh. These everywhere have almost the same internal layout though the overall dimension vary a little. The construction method is very meticulous but simple. The arsh have a curvilinear roof starting from the ground to top and a rectangular plan. This resembles the top of an elephant in shape. These are east facing structures. The total width of a huts which the author visited is having a width of around 4.2 m., height 3.3 m. and depth ranging from 4.5 m to 6.3m. The arch shape is maintained by the two opposite walls on either end of the hut with wooden planks erected in ground, fixed with mud mortar . On top of these wooden walls, right in the center there will be a strong pole of around 12 cm. diameter running along the depth of the structure. Thinner and strong poles of wood goes parallel to it at intervals; seven to eleven numbers on either of the arch . The air gap between the roofing on its top and wall below are filled with mud plaster later.

Front view

Toda hut as a vernacular architecture 

The Toda hut itself is a pent-shaped structure created with native materials of lashed bamboo sticks and fasteners of rattaen, the pliable stems of the bamboo stalk. Overall, the Toda hut is a simple, yet refined and extremely effective building type for that culture and location

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simplicity of assembly, ease of replacement, accommodation of same forces, and composition of common materials

Toda hut as a vernacular architecture 

Toda hut in contrast with the surrounding natural background .

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Toda hut is made out of native material by indigenous using a special technology of construction which gives the feeling the it comes from the ground .

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Toda hut is made out of many material that is already exists from thousand years like rocks from the mountain , grass from the grassland

Riegle approach (culture) 

Toda hut ( settlement ) express the way of life of the people living there and reflect the traditions and religious of indigenous ( they built a rock space around the hut for worship the buffalos ) , at the same time it shows the lifestyle of the people who live there ( the narrow space of the hut , the material used , the technique which was used )

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The door and windows might have made this tiny in order to give protection from weather as well as sudden attack of wild animals So its successfully illustrated the riegle approach defining the building ( toda hut ) as its reflect the culture

Viollet le duc approach (aesthetic) 

The toda mund (hut) aesthetic is the contrast of the mass and natural and how its complete the nature scene .

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The proportion of the hut (height to depth to width ) and the structure of arsh done in a proper way so it should not be enlarged in size because if it is done so, the whole scale and the beauty will be lost

Conclusion 

These type of buildings are buildings which done without architect , which done by indigenous in order to live , worship and settle .

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Its represent the people beliefs , traditions , culture and lifestyle .

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Toda hut made out of native rocks and grass using a barrel shape technology .

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the clear contrast between the toda settlement and the nature give it beauty and aesthetic.

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Riegle and violet le duc approaches are clearly seen in toda hut .

inspiration from toda hut first eco PODhotel in flims, switzerland