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COIMBATORE: Over 100 years ago, buildings in the city were green. Built using a combination of locally available mortar, bricks and tiles, these buildings were simple and eco-friendly. But over the last century, with the modernisation of architecture, most builders have lost sight of environmental considerations while planning
projects.
"Since all the material was locally sourced, the energy that would have been used to transport them was saved. Today, people import marble from Rajasthan without thinking of the impact on the environment," says city historian C R Elangovan.
Though Coimbatore was historically part of the Kongu region, the architecture was influenced by foreign rulers, including the British. Islamic and Chola styles also influenced architects.
The evolution of domestic architecture followed the development of temple architecture. Styles such as art deco, Indo-Sarcenic, Islamic, north Indian and Dravidian had a bearing on local architecture. "The Kerala style too has heavily influenced architecture in the Kongu region," says Elangovan.
Rural Coimbatore is made up of structures designed by local craftsmen and built out of locally available natural resources. Most of these houses have a series of open-air courtyards of varying sizes with rooms flanking them on all four sides. The white walls are made of baked bricks, plastered with a secret recipe of roots, yolk and lime that make them smooth and washable.
projects.
"Since all the material was locally sourced, the energy that would have been used to transport them was saved. Today, people import marble from Rajasthan without thinking of the impact on the environment," says city historian C R Elangovan.
Though Coimbatore was historically part of the Kongu region, the architecture was influenced by foreign rulers, including the British. Islamic and Chola styles also influenced architects.
The evolution of domestic architecture followed the development of temple architecture. Styles such as art deco, Indo-Sarcenic, Islamic, north Indian and Dravidian had a bearing on local architecture. "The Kerala style too has heavily influenced architecture in the Kongu region," says Elangovan.
Rural Coimbatore is made up of structures designed by local craftsmen and built out of locally available natural resources. Most of these houses have a series of open-air courtyards of varying sizes with rooms flanking them on all four sides. The white walls are made of baked bricks, plastered with a secret recipe of roots, yolk and lime that make them smooth and washable.
