Mud house: the gradual shifting of traditional vernacular architectural practice in northern Bangladesh

Abstract

The diversified vernacular architecture in rural Bangladesh is the result of a constant and gradual attempt to maintain sustainability and cultural identity by using knowledge of the local environment. However, factors like natural resource scarcity and economic viability of modern construction techniques is evidently causing a rapid change in the rural landscape. A physical and questionnaire survey carried out in the area under study, namely the village Kaligram in Manda upazilla, Naogaon, revealed that, nearly sixty-percent of houses built within the last decade is concrete and brick made with little or no regards to any traditional vernacular features. Investigation of various parameters such as mud wall construction techniques, availability and preference of building materials, socio- economic changes through surveys, has revealed that the loss of precious fertile top soil, high maintenance of mud structures added with the availability and affordability of more durable materials, are some of the prime reasoning behind revising their options to brick construction. This research aims to assess the factors causing gradual shifting in the indigenous practices of mud houses in the study area. The study further extends onto a discussion of an alternate design approach that will exemplify a more durable, low maintenance, energy efficient yet economic building technology while acknowledging the strengths of the indigenous architectural practices.