UNDERSTANDING AND ANALYSIS OF WEAVER'S HABITAT,KANCHIPURAM - A VERNACULAR STUDY

Vernacular Architecture is generated by various layers-physical as well as cultural.  It is an integrated out come of living and cultural patterns of people, social structures, history, climate, materials, economy, technology prevalent  to specific place and the aspirations of that people.Each layer contributes varyingly, weaving complex yet a united whole. These layers form the character of the context, which is very specific to a place. The beliefs,  religion, climate, materials, social structures and economy of the people of that place shape the living pattern and the habitat.  A habitat in a weavers village is a composition of open, semi open and    enclosed spaces interwoven together forming the public and private realm-collectively  called built form  or built environment.  In this sense , this paper evaluate specific vernacular settlement and house forms of weaver’s village of Iyyengarkulam near  Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India and their response to culture / Artistic skills in the formation of settlement. In order to explain this response , the Traditional house  form  reflects the way of life and cater to the various functions of the weavers community engaged in weaving and pre / post loom activities. This paper aims to pressing the need for conservation and preservation of outstanding example of traditional human settlements that developed in accordance with occupational needs of the Artisans.