CONTENTS 1 - INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Aim 1.2 Relevance 1.3 Scope 1.4 Choice of Study Area 1.5 Approach to the Study 1.6 Organisation of the Works 1.7 Organisation of the Book 1.8 Scope of Further Work. 2 - METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY 9 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Literature study 2.3 Discussion with practitioners and Experts 2.4 Field Study and Documentation 2.5 Selection of Samples 2.6 Documentation 3 - BACKGROUND STUDIES 20 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Antiquity of the Subject 3.3 Public awareness of the Tradition 3.4 Study Area 3.5 Influence on Architectural Style 3.6 Early Description of Houses from Literacy Sources 3.7 Regional Vastu Texts - A Brief Review 3.8 Practice of Traditional Architecture 3.9 Conclusion. 4 - GENERAL CONCEPTS OF VASTUSASTRA 37 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Design Philosophy 4.3 Pada-vinyasam; 4.4 Vithinirnayam 4.5 Principles of Dimensioning System 4.6 Principles of Site Selection 4.7 Fixing Cardinal Directions 4.8 Site Planning Principles 4.9 Positioning of the Building in Ksetra khandam 4.10 Minimum Space for habitation 4.11 Rule of Marmavedha and Sutra-vedha 4.12 Conclusion 5 - PRINCIPLES OF RESIDENTIAL PLANNING 60 5,1 Introduction 5.2 Residential Building Types 5.3 Prime Dimension of a Building 5.4 Proportions of Sala and Ankanam 5.5 Different Elements of a Building 5.6 Roof Strcture 5.7 Conclusion 6 - OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD STUDY 80 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Distribution of Samples in the Study Area 6.3 Distribution Depending on Planning and Lay-out 6.4 Distribution Depending on Architecture Style 6.5 Distribution of Houses Related to the Materials and Technique of Construction 6.6 Local Variations in House Forms 6.7 Observations from the Field Survey 6.8 Conclusion 7 - EKASALA 95 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Categories of Ekasala 7.3 Functions of Different Salas 7.4 Categorisation by Space Chara-cteristics 7.5 Preference of Ekasala for Residential Unit 7.6 Basic Form of an Ekasala 7.7 Positioning of Arudham 7.8 Planning of the Core of Ekasala 7.9 Scale of Ekasala 7.10 Development of Ekasala 7.11 Structural Aspects of Ekasala 7.12 Gables 7.13 Observations 8 - TIMBER WALLED HOUSES 137 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Antiquity of Construction Technique 8.3 Present Study 8.4 Timber Constru-ction in Southern Region 8.5 Timber used for Construction 8.6 Selection of Trees as Given in Texts 8.7 Types of Timber Walled Houses 8.8 Traditional Architectural Forms ofMalabar Coast - Ekasalas 8.9 Other Types of Structures 8.10 Construction system of timber walled houses 8.11 Doors and Windows 8.12 The Roof and Gables of Timber Walled Houses 8.13 Joinery Details 8.14 Discussions 8.15 Conclusion 9 - NALUKETTU 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Definition and General Description 9.3 Designation of the Types 9.4 Categorisation of Nalukettu 9.5 Evolution of Nalukettu 9.6 Earliest Form of Nalukettu 9.7 Second Stage in the Evolution of Nalukettu 9.8 Stage in the Evolution 9.9 Fma/ Stage in the Evolution 9.10 Additions and Extensions to Nalukettu 9.11 Positioning of Nalukettu in a Plot 9.12 Discussios 10 - SPECIAL BUILDINGS 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Large Buildings 10.3 Unique Structures 10.4 Agraharam, the Multiple Family Settlement 10.5 Discussions. 11 - A THEORY ON TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FORMS 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Vastusastra - A Living Tradition 11.3 The Regional Text on Design Science 11.4 Practice vis - a - vis Theory 11.5 Evolution of Structural System 11.6 Socio-Cultural Factors in Built Form 11.7 A Unique House Form in Timber 11.8 Flexibility of Traditional System 11.9 Conflicting theories on House Forms 11.10 A Synoptic Theory of House Form 11.11 Conclusion REFERENCES APPENDIX A - General Books Dealing with Architecture APPENDIX B - Works on Traditional Architecture APPENDIX C - Regional Texts on Vastusastra APPENDIX D - Resource Persons Contacted APPENDIX E - Three Regional Texts on Vastusastra GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS