Sustainable Architecture @vaatalya
The design, construction & architect of retreat is done by the hosts themselves with the help of local artisans. The know-how of the construction is passed to the local artisans from generation to generation in mostly oral and empirical tradition by working as an apprentice for a number of years. We have blended this ancient form of architecture with have good use of the modern facilities to ensure that we do not compromise on the basic comfort of life.
Our dwelling at Vaatalya is a natural extension to the knowledge of forbidding landscape, harsh climate, availability of local natural materials and tools. The resultant building practice is deeply rooted in the environment and the cultural practices and traditions of the region. We have mixed this art & ancient technique of construction with the modern basic eco-friendly facility.
The construction of the dwellings is largely done by hand and by the local artisans & residents themselves, sometimes with the help of other residents from the same or nearby village. The know-how of the building construction is passed from generation to generation in most oral and empirical tradition by working as an apprentice for a number of years. The "mistris" or articians of Himachal are typically adept at working with wood and stone and are a veritable storehouse of indigenous knowledge. Such knowledge may range from where to source the wood or stone, types of wood available and which ones are appropriate for either structural or carving purposes to how to cut thin sheets of singles form a block of stone using rudimentary tools and so on. Usually, the entire construction is carried out manually with limited tools and the use of power-driven technology is minimal and was introduced only recently. Minimal use of cement and maximum use of natural stone extracted from the mountaintop are used while making the dwelling.
It is the close interdependence between people, materials, making and environment that has created a lasting architecture specific to the needs, climate, place, and culture and that evokes a sensation that is special and spiritual, beyond the materiality.
Indigenous Architecture
Dwelling and structures that have responded to the topography and local climate of the region. They have been built using locally available resources & have emerged out of hard necessities of the place and the lifestyle on a mountain top.
They are built by the hosts without the use of professional architects & represents far less degree of specialisation. They are dwelling that are products of traditional customs and practices
Energy Efficient configuration and elements
Cuboidal stacking along contours, fetching maximum sunlight. The slope of the roof that allows snow to fall off, whereas the walls thickly constructed in an old-style architecture to ensure that all rooms are thermal insulated. Built form and climate infill trap air within the walls creating an insulation zone.
Resource Reuse
There is hardly any wastage since the material we have constructed is will not deteriorate for a decade long time and can be reused. The construction is mostly done by the use of stone that is extracted from the barren mountain top keeping in mind the balance of nature.
We believe in conscious consumption & ecological balance where we allow and limit the only certain number of audience at a time without disturbing the natural environment.
