Evaluating the thermal performance of traditional and modern toda huts in nilgiris hills

Abstract

Architecture is a physical manifestation of the needs and aspirations of the society and is determined by the environmental, socio cultural and political climate of a place or a region. Good architecture may be defined as any built form which is sensitive to the climate and context of a place. However in spite of its effectiveness and sustainability, traditional Architecture and its methods and strategies are often undervalued and are not preferred in new constructions. The Vernacular architecture of Toda huts in Nilgiris has developed sustainable strategies in planning and construction from their long standing experience. The traditional Houses in the Hilly region and Modern Houses are examined qualitatively and quantitatively to understand the Thermal Performance of the house. The results thus obtained were compared with Olygay Bioclimatic chart and found that the Toda houses were thermally comfortable irrespective of their outdoor Climatic conditions than Modern Houses.