The vernacular architecture of Assam is influenced by six key factors: socio-economics, climate, topography, building techniques, building typology, and urban form. Bamboo is widely used as the major building material due to its availability and cultural significance. The architecture features hip or gable roofs to prevent waterlogging during heavy rains, and higher plinth levels to protect against flooding. Traditional building techniques include bamboo trusses, joints, and wall construction. Typical building typology includes timber frame walls filled with bamboo panels and plaster. Urban forms retain vernacular roots while incorporating some modern materials.

2. VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTUREof ASSAM
UNDERSTANDING

3. We will be understanding the vernacular
Architecture of Assam by relating it to six factors.

4. We will be understanding the vernacular
Architecture of Assam by relating it to six factors.
• Socio Economy
• Climate
• Topography
• Building Techniques
• Building Typology
• Urban form

5. Our presentation is mainly
in three parts.What? Why? How?

6. What is Vernacular Architecture?Vernacular architecture is an architectural style
that is designed based on local needs, availability of
construction materials and reflecting local traditions.

7. What is Assam?
Assam is a state in northeastern India known for its wildlife,
archeological sites and tea plantations.
Area: 78,438 km²
Capital: Dispur
Population: 30.94 million (2012)
Official river: Brahmaputra River

8. What is Vernacular Architecture of Assam?
The Vernacular style of Assam mainly
consists of three important significances-
Hip (or Gable)
Roof
Use of Bamboos
as major building
materials.
Higher Plinth level

9. Now we will try to understand,
Why the Vernacular Architecture of Assam is the way it is?
For this, we will relate three factors with Vernacular
Style of Assam.

10. Vernacular
Style of
Assam
Socio
Economic
Factors
Use of
Bamboos
as major
building materials

11. Socially and economically bamboo is
considered as the major building material.
It is influencing the lifestyle of the people.
Bamboos

12. Vernacular
Style of
Assam
Climate
Gable or
Hip Roof

13. Gable and Hip roofs doesn’t allow water logging as Assam receives
heavy amount of rainfall annually.

14. Graph showing
Annual rainfall
Readings in Assam.

15. Vernacular
Style of
Assam
Topography High plinth
level

16. Assam faces floods every year.
So, the higher plinth level protects
the inside of house from getting
flooded.

17. Assam also comes
in an Earthquake
prone area. Thus
the dwellings are
made up of local
and Temporary
materials. It
prevents big
economical loss.

18. Now, we will understand How the Vernacular style of Assam
is being practiced?
For this, we will study the three more factors of
Vernacular Architecture of Assam.

19. Vernacular Building
Techniques of Assam .

20. Trusses

21. Joints
Lap Joints in
Bamboo

22. Scarf Joint
Integral
Tenon
(Horned)
Joint

23. Butt Joints
In Bamboo

24. Rafter
Connection
Gusset
Plated
Joints

25. Interlacing of Bamboo in
construction of walls.

26. Building Typology

27. • Walls are of timber frame work, inside those panels ikara used to fill.
• These ikaras are cut in size of the panel and laid vertically.
• The horizontal members usually bamboo.
• After putting the ikara it is left to dry for few days.
• Then it is plastered in both side with mud mortar.
• 3 layers of plaster are done alternatively after dying of each coat.
• Finished coat is of liquid mix of mud and cow dung.
• The building are maximum of two storeys.
• Building is symmetrical on both side.
• 1st floor is connected with a timber stair case.
• Open spaces in front (chotal) and back side (bari) of the house
Some Typical features of
Assam vernacular buildings.

28. Urban Form

29. Urban forms of
the Assamese Architecture
Retains the flavour of their
Vernacular roots with some
added modern features
like the use of more
permanent material like
concreate and brick fused
with the use of Bamboos
Where ever possible.
The Urbanisation
of the Vernacular.

30. An example of
Urban house
in Assam.

33. Some modernised
use of Bamboo.

34. Conclusion.
As per our understanding after this study , Vernacular Architecture is
basically designing a building without any training in design guided by a
series of conventional built up in the locality paying little attention to
aesthetics but more productivity.