BHATAR

BHATAR – Vernacular Houses of North Western Himalayan Region, Volume I BHATAR – Vernacular Houses of North Western Himalayan Region, Volume I is the first volume in the Indian Housing Encyclopedia (Bhartiya Awas Saarh Sangrah), an initiative by CSIR–CBRI Roorkee to document India’s diverse house typologies. India’s five climatic zones, as defined in NBC 2016, have shaped distinct architectural traditions. The North Western Himalayas, with their cold climate and challenging terrain, have given rise to unique vernacular forms such as Bhatar, Kath-Kuni, Matkaanda, Thathara, and Dhajji Dewari. This volume focuses on the Bhatar typology, exploring its site planning, structural systems, wall and roof construction, and local materials. It also examines climate responsiveness, carbon footprint, and disaster resilience, combining traditional wisdom with modern scientific insights. The encyclopaedia aims to bring every Indian house typology onto a single platform—serving as a comprehensive reference for sustainable and resilient housing. Through detailed field studies, illustrations, and case analyses, this book celebrates the ingenuity of Himalayan craftsmanship and marks a significant step toward preserving India’s vernacular housing heritage. CSIR-CBRI congratulates Mr Anup Kumar, Ar Nitish Singh, Er Nikhil Singh, Ar Shivangi Pal, Er Harsh Gautam and their team at the Architectural Planning & Energy Efficiency (APEE) group for their efforts in bringing out this report. For more details, contact: Director, CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee [email protected]