Working with indigenous materials and coming up with completely new concepts and unique ideas is many architect's dreams. My architectural career is not so huge, my portfolio is still small but the work I have been finished or completed in the past several years makes me always proud. I have had the opportunity to work with several types of conceptual designs, modernism, and traditional projects both.
If you ask me about my comfort zone, I would always answer I love doing traditional and contemporary designs. Traditional designs are challenging, but the challenge is fun. A whole new sector of exploration opens in front of an architect. You can play with culture, rhythms, and most importantly material and construction.
I remember when I was working on the Panigram Resort project, I had learned so much from that project. It is true that rarely do I get a chance to work with such a unique project because this world is all about modernism. People love contemporary style and no one even bothers or cares to work with indigenous materials such as mud, wood, bamboo, etc. But the funny fact is still many people in this whole world constructing their homes using indigenous materials. Low cost and of course easy to work with for native people...
Traditional Ukrainian House [Dacha]- П'яна Хата (P'yana Khata)
Ancient Bangladeshi building materials were mud and bamboo, mostly suburban and village people used to live in homes made of mud and bamboo. Later due to durability and maintenance, people moved to industrial materials and cement and sand. But still, in Bangladesh, many people live in mud houses, especially in the village. The roof is made of either bamboo, leaves, or wood. Nowadays people use tin mostly...
I never thought that I will find the similarities here in Ukraine, their traditional houses are similar to Bangladeshi mud houses. The same type of concept, almost the same building material, and construction.
П'яна Хата (P'yana Khata) is a recreational complex and restaurant located at Коробовы Хутора (Korovobi Khutora) village in Kharkiv region. The concept of this recreational center is to show the tradition and culture of Ukraine. Their main aim is to give a tourist the traditional experience of Ukrainian culture and to introduce them to the ancient culture of Ukraine.
Because of the concept, they had chosen mud as the main building material, and also they wanted to incorporate their concept with nature. They have created a very relaxing complex for tourists and serve traditional food to whoever wants to introduce themselves to the culture and tradition. One can easily get the idea of a traditional lifestyle by exploring this complex.
I used to think dachas are only made of wood but after exploring this spot, I have realized that people used to use mud before wood to make their own Dacha.
This is the Ukrainian dining area, the exterior is made of Mud. This is a family dining area, the tabletop is made of wooden planks and only one chair for the family head. Others sit on the benches. That reminds me of the same culture from where I belong.
Everything looked handmade except the glasses. Payana Khata created this dining area for the tourist to show them the tradition. This is basically a museum, people come here, take pictures and leave.
Oh, this television is their edition, it is not exactly the old one. The advantage of staying in a mud house is, during summer the interior temperature stays low than the outside. This means during summer it is very comfortable to live in a mud house, it stays cool and in winter warm if you have a fireplace inside your home.
The doors are made of wood, thick and the exterior wall thickness is almost 2 feet/24 inches. Wooden poles are used to hold the entire structure. The floor is made of stones, a little bit rough but you will find grip...
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Mud and wood both are insulating materials. So, they work perfectly during winter as well and the home stays warm in winter. Mud is a very good insulating indigenous material and helps to protect the inside from the outdoor atmosphere.
It was 35 degrees celsius when I was there but the room temperature was 23 degrees celsius. I wonder how it feels to be there during winter...Also, if you check the door frame thoroughly in detail, you will understand the details.
There are two doors, one opens inside and one opens outside, it is because to protect the internal temperature from the cold harsh weather. Also helps to keep the interior warm.
This is the elevation of the entrance. Canopy-style entrances are also made of wood and mud. Wooden poles are holding all the weight of the structure. Reminds me of a post-slab structure without a lintel.
I was not so sure how they have come up with the molded shape, from my understanding, they must have used wood and other binding material with mud to come up with this structure. They also have created designs on the entrance exterior walls to give an inviting look.
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This Dacha is a restaurant and public space as well. Those who don't want to stay can taste Ukrainian cuisine here. Travelers, tourists can take a rest here and eat lunch or dinner. It is a huge large cottage with inclined facades. It is around 18-20 inches up from the ground level. Wooden poles are visible and the rood is made of wood and wooden poles. I rarely found bamboo here as a structural material. They used stone for stairs and wooden poles as columns. Some columns are visible and giving a nice elevation look.
Also, the Dacha looked dynamic to me, especially for its inclined facades.
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The shapes of the windows are different from one another and frames are made of glass and wood as well. Due to inclined walls, they tried to merge the windows with them. If you notice the pictures, you will also notice double window frames. This is because Ukraine is a winter country. In Bangladesh, we just use wooden window shutters. We don't use glass.
Nowadays people use double glazing glass windows, this is basically an old method.
Here are some images of the outdoor area...
Why people don't use mud though it is indigenous material. The answer is maintenance cost, you have to take care of the mud walls every season. Otherwise, cracks happen and the wall starts to destroy. Also, you have to protect the walls and woods from insects as well.
Wood lasts long but definitely requires paint regularly. There are now many cheap materials are available in the market so people don't use them anymore...
I have gathered knowledge and experiences a lot when I was exploring this unique structure. It was really interesting to introduce myself to the local culture and tradition...
Can I say it is a sustainable design, maybe I can...
Until next time... Have a nice day everyone...
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