Traditional Architecture

With the advancement of time, hill architecture have grabbed attention of researchers. Considering the topographical and climatic configuration, construction of buildings have always been an uphill task for architects. Hills offer a blend of traditional as well as contemporary architecture. As per the geographic configuration, an area may be classified as hilly if it has an altitude of more than 600 m from the mean sea level or an average slope of 30 [1]. This includes the Himalayas, the Central Highlands, the Deccan Plateau and the north eastern hill ranges. Depending upon the altitude and prevailing climatic conditions, hill regions can further be classified into three categories. Table 1 gives the categorization of hills based on altitude

In the traditional architecture, buildings were designed without architects and techniques were used to achieve human comfort. Locally available building materials and construction technology were employed, since they were responsive to their climatic and geographic conditions. Traditional buildings in contrast to Modern buildings constructed in 20th century are more climate-responsive. Each region of the world employs its own techniques and designs in its buildings that are best suited to that particular region and that incorporates the region’s cultural

One can observe the transition from beautiful and elegant traditional that was responsive to local needs, such as climatic, aesthetic, or social to the one that are greatly inclined from plains with flat porticos. Materials that have been utilized does not consider the local climate. Further, no cultural association and aesthetically significance is found thereby tarnishing the beauty of hills. The next phase came when architecture considered the tag of being the style icon. It became more like a style statement of the owner. Buildings designed with glass façade started coming up which was not the requirement of hills, But this was show off. This was due to the inflow of wealth in hill areas. Now a days, the trends have taken a reverse gear, shifting an architecture mind to revive old architecture. The reason being was due to the increasing awareness regarding sustainability in public. A great deal of work is reported in making traditional materials usable for modern living. Use of local materials is employed in regional design, rammed earth, stucco, and wood siding which complement regional landscape and provide attractive, environmentally friendly, functional alternatives. Although these buildings are very few in number, but one can observe the change in