This dissertation analyzes the impact of climatic and cultural factors on traditional house openings in Maharashtra. Three regions are studied - Aurangabad, Pune, and Konkan. Opening patterns largely depend on the collective style and preferences of the community. Each community has a specific architectural character evolved over time. This factor plays a major role in the planning and design of traditional openings. Door and window styles, materials, and other characteristics are surveyed and compared across the three regions. The study concludes that opening patterns are adapted to the local climate and culture of different areas in Maharashtra.

1. DESSERTATION ON
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATIC AND CULTURAL
FACTORS ON OPENINGS OF TRADITIONAL HOUSES IN
MAHARASHTRA
BY
Richa Dilip Chopade
4th Year B. Arch (2008-2009)
GUIDE
Ar. Parag Narkhede
B.K.P.S. COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PUNE
UNIVERSITY OF PUNE
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2. CERTIFICATE
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3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am deeply grateful to the following individuals for their important role in the
completion of my dissertation.
Architect Prof. P.G.Narkhede for his invaluable guidance and constructive criticism.
Prof. P.N.Kanvinde – Principal, B.K.P.S.College of architecture for his timely help and
co-ordination.
Dr.A.S.Natu and Dr.G.Sundareshan for their guidance in research process.
I am also thankful to our librarian Mr.M.S. Sawant Sir for their invaluable help.
All others who directly or indirectly have helped me at all stages of this work.
This dissertation work will be cherished as a memorable experience throughout my
career.
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4. ABSTRACT
As an architectural space framing device, openings separate viewer from view, inside
from outside and public from private to select and isolate the scene beyond. ‘Doors and
windows’ are the staple of the architectural process. The contrast between pre-historic
caves and dwellings having ‘openings’ (other than an access hole) cannot be said very
greater. Traditional architecture has always been a mode of fascination for, be its
aesthetic beauty or its adaptability to the place.
Every region has its own peculiar style architecture and its opening patterns. There are
variations in size, shape, materials and the visual effects in every style. Understanding
and analyzing them will help in knowing the feasibility about its applications in
contemporary projects.
Methodology- Considering the architectural diversity and places of existence of
traditional houses in Maharashtra, three areas are studied- Aurangabad, Pune &Konkan
Conclusions-
Opening pattern largely depends on the collective style, likes and preferences of
the community.
Every community in village or town has a specific architectural character of its
own, which is evolved out of time.
This factor plays a major role in the planning and design of traditional openings in
Maharashtra
(Keywords- openings, doors, windows, traditional houses, dwellings, Pune, Aurangabad,
Konkan)
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5. TABLE OF FIGURES
No. Title page no.
2.1 Regional variety of window styles found in India. ………………... 5
(a) Window of a house at Banni (Udamale S. 2002)
(b) Typical Goan window (http://www.goacom.com/news/news99/mar/windows3.jpg)
2.2 Regional variety of door styles found in India. ………………….. 5
(a) House in Kutchh (Udamale S. 2002)
(b) Typical façade in Jaisalmer(http://www.indiamike.com/popost502/Doors_in_Rajasthan.JPG)
2.3 Cave Architecture ........………………. 8
(a) Section of a cave dwelling (Kulkarni S.V. 1986)
(b) The ‘Kale’ (castle) of Uchisar, Cappadocia, Turkey
(http://www.photoseek.com/99TUR-29-33-Uchisar-Castle.jpg)
2.4 Egyptian architecture …………………….. 9
(a) Egyptian façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) The Temple at Edfeu, Egypt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edfoe_Pylon.JPG)
(c) Egyptian window-door style (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
2.5 Mesopotamian architecture …………………… 10
(a) Mesopotamian building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Opening pattern (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) The great mosque of Corodova, Turkey (http://www.turkotek.com/salon_00107/Photo5.jpg)
2.6 Indian architecture ………………… 11
(a) Buddhist opening patterns (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Panch Maharahthas, Mamallapuram (http://www.artandarchaeology/mamallapuram/d2506.jpg)
(c) Hindu style of openings (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(d) Jain temple, Jaisalmer (http://www.travelphotosforyou.com/albums//jain_temple_in_desert.jpg)
2.7 Chinese architecture ...………………….. 12
(a) Typical Chinese window (http://www.blancandnoirphotography.com/chinese-window.jpg)
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6. No. Title page no.
(b) A Chinese house (http://www.triptochina.com/pics/hoch_trip-to-china_my010.jpg)
(c) Chinese building facade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(d) Chinese window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
2.8 Japanese architecture ……………………… 13
(a) Japanese building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Traditional Japanese window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) Typical Japanese window
(http://mayang.com/textures/Architectural/images/Windows/japanese_traditional_windows_050582.JPG)
2.9 Greek architecture ……………………… 14
(a) Greek building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Greek door-window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) The Parthenon, Acropolis
(http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/Parthenon/Parthenon2.jpg)
2.10 Roman architecture …………………..….. 15
(a) Section of Pantheon (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/ande8399/architecture/pantheon.jpg)
(b) Oculus of the Pantheon (http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/SuperStock_869-866.jpg)
(c) Roman door-window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
2.11 Early Christian architecture ……………………….. 16
(a) St. Cement’s Rome (http://www.flickr.com/photos/74813207@N00/297934647)
(b) Building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) Door-window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
2.12 Romanesque architecture ………………………... 17
(a) Door-window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Canterbury Cathedral, England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canterbury_Cathedral_11.JPG)
(c) Romanesque building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
2.13 Gothic architecture ………………………… 18
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7. No. Title Page no.
(a) Gothic window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) Gothic door details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) Gothic building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(d) Rose window-Strasbourg cathedral (http://upload.wikimedia.org/France_Strasbourg_Rose-
Window.jpg)
(e) Window –Gothic style (http://www.cordes-
surciel.org/Patrimoine/MaisonsGothiques/DetailFauconnier.jpg)
2.14 Renaissance architecture ………………………….. 19
(a) Building façade (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(b) door-window details (Kulkarni S. V. -1986)
(c) Krakow, Polish Renaissance (http://www.essential-architecture.com/Srenn-pol.htm&
=1&tbnid=sR.jpg)
2.15 Modern architecture ………………………….. 20
(a) The Glasgow School of Art (http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/19thc/mackintosh010.jpg)
(b) Villa Savoye, Poissy-sur-Seine (http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/Corbu/savoye1.jpg)
4.1 Openings of houses at Aurangabad ………………………………………… 29
4.2 Openings of houses at Pune ………………………………………… 34
4.3 Openings of houses in Konkan …………………………………………………………. 39
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8. TABLE OF CHARTS:
No. Title Page no.
4.1.1 Age of houses ………………………… 26
4.1.2 No. of doors and windows …………………….. 26
4.1.3 Opening type …………………….. 27
4.1.4 Opening style …………………….. 27
4.1.5 Opening pattern …………………….. 27
4.1.6 Shutter ……………………... 28
4.1.7 Shutter transparency ……………………… 28
4.1.8 Material of shutter ……………………… 28
4.1.9 Age of material ………………………. 28
4.2.1 Age of houses ………………………… 30
4.2.2 No. of doors and windows ……………………... 30
4.2.3 Opening type …………………….. 31
4.2.4 Opening style …………………….. 31
4.2.5 Opening pattern …………………….. 31
4.2.6 Shutter ……………………... 32
4.2.7 Shutter transparency ……………………… 32
4.2.8 Material of shutter ……………………… 32
4.2.9 Age of material ………………………. 32
4.2.1 Age of houses ………………………… 34
4.2.2 No. of doors and windows …………………….. 34
4.2.3 Opening type …………………….. 35
4.2.4 Opening style …………………….. 35
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9. 4.2.5 Opening pattern ……………………... 35
4.2.6 Shutter ……………………... 36
4.2.7 Shutter transparency ……………………… 36
4.2.8 Material of shutter ……………………… 36
4.2.9 Age of material ………………………. 36
4.1 Comparative observation ……………………… 42
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10. TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. TITLE ------------------------------------------------------------- i
II. CERTIFICATE ------------------------------------- ii
III. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ------------------------------------------- iii
IV. ABSTRACT ---------------------------------------- iv
V. TABLE OF FIGURES -------------------------------------- v
VI. TABLE OF CHARTS --------------------------------------- viii
VII. TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------------------------- x
1. INTRODUCTION --------------------------------------- 1
1.1 Need of the topic --------------------------------------- 2
1.2 Aim of the study --------------------------------------- 3
1.3 Objectives -------------------------------------- 3
1.4 Research question ----------------------------------------3
1.5 Scope ---------------------------------------- 3
1.6 Limitations ---------------------------------------- 3
1.7 Methodology ---------------------------------------- 3
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ---------------------------------------- 4
2.1 Windows ---------------------------------------- 4
2.2 Doors ---------------------------------------- 6
2.3 Reference of openings in history-------------------------------- 7
2.4 Traditional architecture ------------------------------------------- 22
2.4.1 Climatic impacts------------------------------------------ 23
3. METHODOLOGY --------------------------------------------------- 24
4. OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS-------------------------------- 26
5. INFERENCES AND CONCLUSIONS ---------------------------- 43
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ------------------------------------ 44
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