During the 20th century, the construction and building industry faced challenges with numerous harmful materials that posed risks for homeowners, workers, and the environment. As we enter the 21st century, we are transitioning towards a more environmentally safe approach, moving away from materials that can cause health issues. The search for long-lasting building materials has been ongoing since the beginning of construction activities. The burning of bricks is an early example of using energy to create durable building materials from the earth. Firewood was the primary energy source for brick burning. Following bricks, metal products became another energy-intensive manufactured material for construction.

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Voice of Chettinadu 

The building community is responding to the growing voices advocating for using natural resources over artificial raw materials by increasing their use of eco-friendly raw materials. These materials have been used to construct durable, eco-friendly homes that have stood the test of time. Chettinadu traditional architecture is one such iconic style which is evident in their literature of art and construction techniques. Nevertheless, there has been a shift towards emphasizing and capturing the diverse spatial designs along with the architectural arrangements, various looks of buildings, and their architectural features. However, the materials used in the construction of such buildings lack identity. Chettinadu’s traditional building materials possess eco-friendly properties and play a pivotal role in the revival of earth architecture as a sustainable building method.  

Chettinadu, located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its rich Chettiar community, art, architecture, and culinary expertise. The region has upheld, conserved, and shared its indigenous crafts and culinary traditions with the rest of the world. Aathangudi is a hub for producing vibrant and unique tile designs, which has become a prosperous industry. This study delves into the ecological characteristics of the construction materials employed in traditional Chettinadu buildings, while also exploring how earth architecture has been embraced as a sustainable approach to construction in Chettinadu. 

Stories behind Athangudi Tiles

Aathangudi, a small village in the Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu, maintains the tradition of producing colorful handmade tiles that were started by their ancestors over 100 years ago. The interior stays cool despite the hot exterior due to the architectural designs and the use of eco-friendly building materials.

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Athangudi tiles, originating from this place boast a wide range of colors and designs and are crafted using a unique process that involves local soil. These tiles reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Chettiars, who were prominent traders, particularly in Burma, in ancient times. The Chettiars skillfully incorporated various influences into their local craftsmanship. The designs and colors of Athangudi tiles remain reminiscent of a past era, with minimal modernization. The materials used in these homes vary for each space. The Chettiars sought the finest quality in everything. Their trading activities extended throughout Southeast Asia, resulting in a predominant Western influence in these mansions. Some notable influences include Burmese teak, Italian marble, English steel, Japanese tiles, and German lamps.

Chettinad houses traditionally feature Athangudi tiles, which are crafted using sand, cement, and baby jelly. These tiles are made by hand using a simple process involving a mold, glass, and bare hands. The surface of the tiles is polished to a high shine using this technique. Different colors, whether synthetic or natural, are evenly poured into separate sections of the mold. A mixture of sand and cement is then sprinkled on top, followed by a wet sand and cement mixture. After the tile is laid out evenly, it is removed from the mold and left to dry overnight. The following day, it is placed in a water tank for curing, and after two days, it is left to dry. Finally, the tile is fired and glazed. Aathangudi tiles have eco-friendly properties and do not reflect, radiate, or conduct heat. These tiles do not require machine polishing.

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Plasters of Chettinadu

The buildings in “Chettinadu nagarathars‟ are adorned with a special type of plaster known as Chettinadu plaster, which is also referred to as White – “Vellai poochchu”, Egg plastering, and “Muthu Poochchu‟. These walls are coated with multiple layers of a mixture including lime base, ground white seashells, liquid egg white, and other ingredients. This plaster is made up of lime, sanghu powder – sea shell powder for fineness, egg white for smoothness, karupatti – traditional sugar jaggery for friction, and kadukkai – a seed of a plant as a bonding agent. Additionally, vegetable dyes are utilized for painting pictures and murals. The plastering process involves applying a finely ground mixture of powdered shell, lime, jaggery, and spices, such as gallnut (myrobalan), to the walls.

The Madras terrace concept is typically used for the roof. Courtyard roofs are constructed following the machu concept. Below the roofing, there is a loft of height 3 to 4 feet, which serves as storage, and beneath this are wooden beams that help reduce heat transfer within the building. The process of applying roof tiles and egg plasterings requires a lot of labor and time. The combination of egg plastering, terracotta roof, and floor tiles helps maintain cool temperatures inside homes.

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In contemporary architecture, traditional building materials have a significant role, especially in private residences and to a lesser degree in public structures. The utilization of these materials can be attributed to the preference for high quality resources by people. The traditional materials of Chettinadu indicate a comprehensive understanding of and response to the local environment and climate. The traditional Chettinadu houses are well-suited to the local climate due to their use of various local materials, creating an optimal living environment for humans. For instance, Aathangudi tiles require minimal energy for production compared to modern building materials with high embodied energy. These materials are not only energy efficient during use but also completely biodegradable.

Reference:

  • https://enrouteindianhistory.com/chettinad-architecture-design-for-hot-and-humid-climate/#:~:text=Athangudi%20Tiles%3A,tiles%20due%20to%20their%20thickness.
  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/explore-the-eco-friendly-heritage-of-athangudi-tiles-in-chettinad-publication-name/articleshow/107566892.cms
  • https://revolvingcompass.com/chettinad-houses-in-karaikudi/
  • https://www.bennykuriakose.com/post/kerala-traditional-houses-and-chettinad-architecture-in-contemporary-homes

 

Author

Sandhya is a dynamic and passionate architect who is also interested in art, music, and movies. As a designer, she endeavors to transform spaces into enduring experience and the same goes with writing. She believes architecture is a perception of life that has the potential to shape one’s mind and thinking. Through the process of writing, she wants to express her impression of architecture in the form of words.