CONTENTS
0. Introduction 10
1. Thesis Proposal 11
1.1 Aim
1.2 Objective
1.2 Hypothesis
1.4 Literature Review
1.5 Scope
1.6 Limitation
1.7 Methodology
1.7.1 Qualitative Research Methods
1.7.2 Representational Tools
(Other Aspects)
a. Gender Neutrality
b. Vernacular aspects of language
(0.1 Purpose of the essays)
1.8 Framework of Study
2. Invisible Ingredients of making a dwelling 18
2.1 "ought and Imagination
2.2 Care and Time
2.3 Empathy
2.4 Passion
2.5 Lifeful dwellings
3. Of the People, By the People and For the People 28
3.1 The mother tongue - The Vernacular
3.2 Masters of architecture learning from the ‘Uneducated’ maker
3.3 The threat to the Vernacular
3.4 Appropriate Technology
4. The Contemporary Placelessness and the Desire for a Place 38
4.1 Place
4.2 Placelessness
4.3 Dimensioning a Place
4.3.1 The need for meaning
4.3.2 Authenticity
4.3.3 Belongingness
(0.2 Questionaire)
(0.3 Note on Phenomenological Account)
1.9 Criteria of selection for case study
5. Case Study 1: Didi Contractor, Rakkar, Himachal Pradesh 60
5.1 Phenomenological Accounts
5.1.1 Phenomenological account of the first visit
5.1.2 Interviews 71
5.2 Analysis of Interviews (Intangibles) 78
5.2.1 Personal Experiences, Influences and Origins of work
5.2.2 Approach to Design
5.2.2.1 Analogy
5.2.2.2 Methods
5.2.2.3 Attitude
5.2.3 Values
5.2.4 Relations
5.2.4.1 Relation with Craftsmen
5.2.4.2 Relation with Client
5.3 Analysis of the Dwelling (Tangibles) 90
5.3.1 Closer to human
5.3.1.1 Scale and Proportion
5.3.1.2 Senses
5.3.2 Closer to Nature
5.3.2.1 Relation between inside and outside
5.3.2.2 Landscaping
5.3.2.3 Treatment of existing flora and features
5.3.3 Closer to Community
5.3.3.1 Learning from Vernacular
5.3.3.2 Materials from the Locale
5.3.3.3 Creating Awareness
(0.4 Note on Place and Placelessness)
5.4 Place and Placelessness (Intangibles)
5.5 Construction Techniques (Tangibles)
6. Case Study 2: Bidyut Roy, Shantiniketan, West Bengal 104
6.1 Phenomenological Accounts
6.1.1 Phenomenological account of the first visit
6.1.2 Interviews 118
6.2 Analysis of Interviews (Intangibles) 138
6.2.1 Personal Experiences, Influences and Origins of work
6.2.2 Approach to design
6.2.2.1 Analogy
6.2.2.2 Methods
6.2.2.3 Attitude
6.2.3 Values
6.2.4 Relations
6.2.4.1 Relation with Craftsmen
6.2.4.2 Relation with Client
6.3 Analysis of the Dwelling (Tangibles) 145
6.3.1 Closer to Human
6.3.1.1 Scale and Proportion
6.3.1.2 Senses
6.3.2 Closer to Nature
6.3.2.1 Relation between inside and outside
6.3.2.2 Landscaping
6.3.2.3 Treatment of existing Flora and features
6.3.3 Closer to Community
6.3.3.1 Learning from Vernacular
6.3.3.2 Materials from the Locale
6.3.3.3 Creating Awareness
(0.4 Note on Place and Placelessness)
6.4 Place and Placelessness (Intangibles)
6.5 Construction Techniques (Tangibles)
7. Chandramadhavi: A photo essay 155
Bringing the Alternative Approach to the Mainstream
8. Inferences 162
9. Conclusion 165
10. Future Research 168
11. Bibliography 170
12. Appendices 173
11.1 Tracing the origins of the study
11.2 Interview with Lakshmi Swaminathan (Didi’s Assistant)
11.3 Excerpts from the transcription of Bidyut Roy’s interview in Bangla
13. Glossary of words 184
14. Review Feedbacks 185
15. Thesis review and Viva action
(0.5 An ending note for fresh researchers)