Traditional construction in southern peninsula-knowledge extraction

Features of different types of construction dating back to centuries reveal that certain approaches in planning, design, choice of materials and methodology of construction different from present day were in vogue. The focus of the study is to extract those and synergise with current technology. Three segments namely planning, design and construction are looked into and examples of some of the existing landmark structures particularly in southern peninsula are taken up to extract some features. It is observed that vaasthu saastra, choice of natural and organic materials for mortar, ball and socket type joints for relieving lateral loads and stacked kathali construction have all contributed in the construction of such structures making them withstand time and different environmental loads.