Ladakhi Architecture Analysis

2.02 Ladakhi Architecture

Ladakh, in the world of architecture, reserve a special place, not only for its monuments, but for having a very innovative architectural style despite having various natural aspects which have led to the hardships of the inhabitant of that region. Life is strange and difficult in Ladakh but what is fascinating is over the time its become a part of any Ladakhi’s life practiced over hundreds of generation.

It is a land an extremes paradox in term of climate, geography or architecture. Natural forces and humans living parallel in the region and they have created an extraordinary fusion of ideas that have helping them to overcome natural challenges and in this process they invented unique architectural solutions which

Below paragraph I will provide detail explanation of the construction system.

Architectural necessity began with the need to provide shelter and most importantly, in Ladakh for protection against sun,wind. what interesting is beside having vagaris of nature, they were able to archive a sense of comfort and aesthetic. Building forms that evolved were extremely simple and versatile. Later it became a character and patterns of development. Religious impact could never be separated from in Ladakh. Strong ties with the neighboring Kashmir and Western Tibet too left an unavoidable impact on Ladakhi architecture, particularly its religious structures.

Continuous intuitive experimentation led to the juxtaposition of simple forms to complex architectural relationships. As the settlements began to grow it dot the entire landscape of Ladakh and this process led to create impressive interior spaces.

Other than simple houses, several functional built form types emerged and these included Gompas (Buddhist monasteries), palaces and forts.

Major building types that exist in Ladakh are as

There are some common features in the house design. Such as:

•most of the houses hev two levels, ground level is reserved for animals and storage of their foods and wood for winter, also, a small room for maids. The upper level(s) has the living spaces.

•In most old houses, there is only a single large room with an oven in the corner, which is multi-purpose in function i.e. used for cooking, for heating up the interior space, guest room if necessary.

•In case of another level, prayer room is placed on the top with a roof terrace.

Sun dried earth blocks are usually made in the sizes of 300X150X150 mm they are employed in the construction of Walls of 300 or 450 mm thickness. These earth blocks are made from alluvial soil along the banks of Indus.