Assam-type architecture

2021-05-07T15:40:41Z

100.11.88.6:

{{short description|Style of architecture}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox art movement
|name = Assam-type architecture
|image = {{photomontage
|photo1a=Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School.png
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|photo1c=
|photo2a=
|photo2b=Bonoshree lodge in Kaziranga.jpg
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|photo3a=Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan.JPG
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|size = 300
|color_border = #AAAAAA
|color = #F9F9F9
}}
| caption = Top: [[Golaghat Government Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School|Bezbaroa Higher Secondary School in Golaghat]]<br>Centre: [[Kaziranga National Park|A lodge at Kaziranga]] <br> Bottom: [[Assam Sahitya Sabha|Headquarters of Assam Sahitya Sabha in Jorhat]]
|countries = India
}}

'''Assam-type architecture''' is a [[architectural style|style]] developed in the state of [[Assam]] in India during the [[late modern period]]. It is found in [[Assam]] and [[Sylhet region]]. The houses constructed using this style are generally termed as ''Assam-type'' houses, consisting usually one or more [[storey]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/travel/tea-planters-punch/cid/1695757|title=Tea planter’s punch|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> The houses are built to be [[Earthquake-resistant structures|earthquake proof]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/assam-debates-safe-house-structures/cid/1530029|title=Assam debates safe house structures|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> and are made from materials ranging from [[wood]] and bamboo to steel and concrete.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kaushik|first=Hemant|last2=Ravindra Babu|first2=K. S.|date=2009-02-20|title=Housing Report: Assam-type House|url=http://www.world-housing.net/WHEReports/wh100172.pdf|format=PDF|department=Department of Civil Engineering|journal=World Housing Encyclopedia|publisher=Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE)|publication-place=India|pages=2}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://roofandfloor.com/realty-guide/traditional-assam-type-house/|title=Amazing Facts About Traditional Assam Type House- RoofandFloor|date=2016-04-15|work=RoofandFloor|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== History ==
Before the arrival of the [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British in India]], affluent families in Assam lived in expensive, elaborately constructed houses, while the others survived in [[hut]]s made from mud-plastered [[bamboo]] walls and thatched roofs. With the knowledge of and access to modern science, British engineers assessed the [[natural environment]] and designed and [[Construction|constructed building]]s that are now known as ''Assam-type'' [[building]]s.
== Present day ==
The present-day ''Assam-type'' buildings are a result of architectural changes that were introduced in [[colonial Assam]].<ref name=":0" />

== Elements of Assam-type style ==
=== The structure ===
Buildings are constructed on both flat and sloped [[terrain]]s. On flat grounds, the buildings are typically rectangular or ''L or C'' layout. On other surfaces, such as [[highland]]s, they are usually rectangular in shape, accessed via the hillside. The roof is typically erected by high [[gable]]s to overcome heavy rainfall in the region, where [[wall]]s are usually [[Timber framing|timber-framed]], [[Plaster|plastered]] with [[cement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/golaghat-gets-a-place-of-pride-planter-converts-ancestral-bungalow-into-modern-club/cid/1620116|title=Golaghat gets a place of pride - Planter converts ancestral bungalow into modern club|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> With high [[ceiling]]s and [[Ventilation (architecture)|well-ventilated]] [[room]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/heritage/back-then-at-the-burra-bungalows-of-tea-estates/cid/1680275|title=Back then, at the burra bungalows of tea estates|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> the floorings are either wooden or concrete with [[Ceramic tiles|tiled]], [[mosaic]] or [[Marble|stone]] surfacing with [[Stilt house|stilt]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://happho.com/learn-traditional-assamese-houses/|title=What to learn from traditional Assamese Houses|date=2017-09-21|website=Happho|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref>
=== The configuration ===
The general design of a residential building incorporates a [[living room]], [[Veranda|verandah]], [[kitchen]], besides [[bedroom]]s and [[bathroom]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.easternpanorama.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2373:in-the-lap-of-green-tea-plants&catid=6:contents&Itemid=10|title=IN THE LAP OF GREEN TEA PLANTS|last=Panorama|first=Eastern|website=Eastern Panorama|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> Some may additionally feature long [[Hall|corridor]]s, connecting rooms, especially buildings such as [[school]]s and [[college]]s.
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Architecture of India}}

[[Category:Architecture of Assam]]
[[Category:House styles]]
[[Category:House types]]

{{India-struct-stub}}

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Assam-type architecture