SUSTAINABILITY AND CULTURAL CONFORMITY IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE: A C

Kerala is rich in its vernacular traditions and built heritage. Many studies have been focused on the traditional architecture of Kerala, but the tribal architecture, which is the more pure form of vernacular architecture of Kerala, is not still treated with enough importance. Kerala has its own tribal architecture and construction practices which has developed throughout the time and is sensitive to the climatic conditions of the region. At the same time, there is a scenario of abandonment of houses provided to the tribes by Government and NGOs under various housing schemes, because they don¿t conform to the culture and lifestyle of the tribal populations. Present study therefore aims at studying these different social, cultural aspects of existing tribal huts and people in order to provide modern housing solutions to them conforming to their cultural identity. This will also help to mitigate the problem of abandonment of houses provided to them under different housing schemes.