CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 5
DECLARATION 6
CHAPTER 1 8
Introduction 8
Research proposal 9
Main research question 9
Subsidiary research questions 9
Objectives 9
Scope and Limitations 9
Abstract 10
CHAPTER 2 11
What is a Narrative? 11
Understanding Narratives 11
Narrative and Time 12
Narrative and culture 13
Narrative and Space 15
Narrative structure and Architectural structure 19
Physical manifestation of narrative in space 20
Spatial structure and organization 20
Scale and proportion of elements 21
Visual expression and aesthetics 22
CHAPTER 3 23
The story of Chettiars 23
Society and settlement 23
Religion and belief 25
Caste and kinship 26
Business affiliations and trade 26
Politics 27
CHAPTER 4 28
Methodology and narrative analysis of Chettinad houses 28
Documentation and case studies 28
Narrative research methodology 30
Framework of analysis 30
Chettinad House as a narrative 33
Factors that shaped the House form 34
Colonialism 34
Vaastu-Sastra 34
Climate 35
Craftsmen 35
Building Materials and Techniques 36
Structure 36
Rituals before the construction 37
CHAPTER 5 38
ANALYSIS OF CASE STUDIES 38
1. VVR HOUSE 40
A. Spatial characteristics 41
Space usage according to activities 42
Sequential narrative of space 46
Spatial structure and organization 47
B. Physical characteristics 52
Scale and proportion 52
C. Visual characteristics 56
Visual expression and aesthetics 56
2. ICTL HOUSE 65
A. Spatial characteristics 66
Space usage according to activities 68
Sequential narrative of space 72
Spatial structure and organization 73
B. Physical characteristics 77
Scale and proportion 77
C. Visual characteristics 81
Visual expression and aesthetics 81
3. MSMM HOUSE 91
A. Spatial characteristics 92
Space usage according to activities 94
Sequential narrative of space 97
Spatial structure and organization 98
B. Physical characteristics 103
Scale and proportion 103
C. Visual characteristics 107
Visual expression and aesthetics 107
ANALYSIS THROUGH ESTABLISHED TIMELINE 115
CONCLUSION 120
ILLUSTRATION CREDITS 121
GLOSSARY 125