The Changing Domestic Architecture of Kathmandu Valley A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Architecture in the Department of Architecture and Interior Design of the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning 2019 by Ashna Singh Bachelor of Architecture Kathmandu Engineering College, Nepal, 2013 Committee Chair: Jeffrey Tilman Committee Member: Thomas Bible Abstract Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, which is a small mountainous country that lies tucked between India and China in South Asia, has had a rich heritage of vernacular architecture - with brick walls, intricate wooden lattice windows and doors, and clay tile roofs. The vernacular architecture is historically important and gives the place its architectural identity. However, in recent years building culture has shifted towards the contemporary construction method of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) Construction. With the earthquake of April 2015, and the destruction of millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure, people are now more than ever inclined to build in RCC as the new construction caters to the new needs of the people; The RCC constructions also allow openness and inclusion of new spaces that the traditional forms would have otherwise hindered. The new construction is also very heavily influenced by the global modernization phenomenon, where especially developing countries, like Nepal, find themselves in the middle of the pull of the modern and developed world versus the need to be rooted and further the historic way of life and its association with the character of the country, its identity, and its uniqueness. The purpose of this thesis is to explore a possible middle ground where the best of both could be incorporated. ii iii Acknowledgment I would like to thank my advisor Professor Jeffrey Tilman for his support and guidance in this thesis. His words of encouragement and positivity have kept pushing me forward to complete my thesis. I would also like to thank my committee member Professor Tom Bible for his input and insights in my research and thesis. His supervision has helped drive the thesis forward and helped me understand the depth of my research. Special thanks to Professor Rebecca Williamson for always being a helpful guide throughout the time I spent at the University of Cincinnati. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the University of Cincinnati for providing all the necessary sources for successful completion of this thesis. My greatest appreciation to my family in Nepal, especially my father, Jagadishwar Man Singh, and mother, Babita Singh, who have always been my greatest strength and source of inspiration. Lastly, I would like to thank my sister, Nishika, for her encouragement and unwavering belief in me. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgment ........................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 2. Vernacular Architecture ........................................................................................................ 10 2.1. Settlement Pattern ....................................................................................................... 11 2.2. Proportion and Symmetry ........................................................................................... 13 2.3. Spatial Layout: ............................................................................................................ 14 2.4. Construction Techniques ............................................................................................ 16 2.4.1. Foundation .............................................................................................................. 16 2.4.2. Walls ....................................................................................................................... 17 2.4.3. Floors ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.4.4. Roof......................................................................................................................... 19 2.5. Building Materials ...................................................................................................... 20 2.6. Windows and Doors ................................................................................................... 20 3. R.C.C. Structure..................................................................................................................... 23 3.1. Foundation .................................................................................................................. 24 v 3.2. Frame .......................................................................................................................... 25 3.3. Walls ........................................................................................................................... 26 3.4. Roof ............................................................................................................................ 28 3.5. Ownership and Spatial Layout ................................................................................... 28 3.6. Settlement Pattern ....................................................................................................... 30 3.7. Building Materials ...................................................................................................... 31 4. Thermal Comfort ................................................................................................................... 32 5. Seismic Resilience ................................................................................................................. 37 5.1. History of Earthquakes in Nepal ................................................................................ 39 5.2. Vernacular Architecture – Seismic ............................................................................. 40 5.3. RCC Structure - Seismic............................................................................................. 46 5.4. Implication .................................................................................................................. 51 5.4.1. Ways to strengthen the vernacular architecture ...................................................... 51 5.4.2. Ways to strengthen RCC construction .................................................................... 54 6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 55 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 66 Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 69 vi List of Figures Figure 1 Topographical Map of Nepal ............................................................................................ 1 Figure 2 Section showing the change in land elevation from the plains to the mountains ............. 2 Figure 3 View of the traditional high vernacular architecture of Kathmandu Valley .................... 5 Figure 4 Gaddi Baithak built in the Classical Revival style with columns and pediments ............ 6 Figure 5 The Growth in Kathmandu showing the increase in built space from 1980 to 2010 ....... 7 Figure 6 Images of Domestic Vernacular Architecture of Kathmandu Valley. ........................... 10 Figure 7 Houses built around a courtyard with a sunken water spout .......................................... 11 Figure 8 Image showing courtyard planning of Newari buildings ............................................... 12 Figure 9 Top: Elevation of Newari Architecture. Bottom: Typical Plan of Newari Architecture 13 Figure 10 Section of a typical Newari house in Kathmandu ........................................................ 14 Figure 11 Section showing the division of spaces ........................................................................ 15 Figure 12 The bay window and open ground floor aiding the view of the various procession on the street ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Figure 13 Section showing the pure and impure spaces ............................................................... 16 Figure 14 Foundation of a Newari House ..................................................................................... 17 Figure 15 The different layers of brick used to construct the wall ............................................... 17 Figure 16 Section of the hanging roof .......................................................................................... 19 Figure 17 Different types of wooden windows used