Prathaa: Kath-khuni Architecture of Himachal Pradesh - Paperback

by Jay Thakkar (Author), Mansi Shah (Author), Bharat Dave (Author)

This book documents an indigenous building technique called the kath-khuni construction prevalent in Himachal Pradesh, India. The relative isolation of the hills and the demanding environment fostered development and persistence of distinctive prathaa, i.e., traditions practiced for centuries. These building practices reflect synthesis of material and environmental constraints with social and cultural beliefs and rituals. This book illustrates the role of indigenous building traditions in a dual sense: architecture as an outcome of specific material assemblies to fulfil specific functional purposes and architecture as a process to bind together people, places and resources in order to sustain particular cultural norms, beliefs and values.

Author Biography

Late Prof. Bharat Dave completed doctoral studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, master's program at the Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (USA), and undergraduate studies in architecture at the School of Architecture, Ahmedabad (India). Funded by nationally competitive grants, his research revolves around innovative spatial design practices and futures supported by digital technologies. Jay Thakkar is an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Design and Head of Research at Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India. He has a Masters in Visual Communication from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), United Kingdom and a Diploma in Interior Design from the School of Interior Design, CEPT University. Jay Thakkar is a co-author/author and designer of two books 1. "Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh" (2008) (co-authored with Dr. Skye Morrison) and 2. "Naqsh: The Art of Wood Carving of Traditional Houses of Gujarat - Focus on Ornamentation" (2004). Mansi Shah is a senior researcher at DICRC, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India. She completed her Master's degree in 2010 in Urban design at the Domus Academy (Milan, Italy), validated and awarded by the University of Wales, Cardiff, U.K. She completed her undergraduate degree in architecture from South Gujarat University, Surat (India). Her project "Beyond Green" a guerilla idea to promote green movement was displayed during 'Salone del mobile', a design festival in Milan in 2010.