Construction Techniques in Traditional Earthen Dwellings in Northern Bangladesh

This research examines the strategy of climate-responsive design in traditional earthen constructions in the northern region of Bangladesh, adapted to hot, humid, and flood-prone climates through the use of elevated platforms and lightweight building construction with Hazardous building materials such as Bamboo, mud, and thatch without compromising air ventilation. The three-stage methodology consists of the following: (1) a literature synthesis to map research trends, (2) analyzing the dwelling features with the help of literature, field measurements and simulations across five dimensions of planning layout, spatial form, detailing, and local materials, and (3) cross-case comparison in terms of consistencies of energy efficiency, ventilation, and cultural values, with a primary focus on flood resilience. Results show that the earth walls and thatch roof control the temperature, and site orientation and spatial configuration affect the natural ventilation and solar exposure affecting the thermal comfort inside the building. The buy-in of such traditional and modern practices in building, finding a balance between climate resilience and material durability issues, also suggests a need for the policy frameworks that will encourage sustainable, energy-efficient, and culturally sensitive housing. Benchmark analysis of northern Bangladesh standards offer region-wide adaptable perceptions for similar environmental circumstances.