page_title: Indian vernacular architecture
section_title: Categories
hierarchical_section_title: Indian vernacular architecture / Categories
caption_attribution_description: English: Hut of Toda tribe (Nilgiris, India) Français&#160;: Hutte traditionelle Toda. Les Todas sont une ethnie du sud de l'Inde, vivant dans les monts Nilgiris, à la frontière du Kérala et du Tamil Nadu. Español: Choza típica del pueblo Toda, pequeña tribu pastoral de menos de 1.000 personas que residen en las colinas Nilgiri, en el sur de India.
context_page_description: Indian vernacular architecture the informal, functional architecture of structures, often in rural areas of India, built of local materials and designed to meet the needs of the local people. The builders of these structures are unschooled in formal architectural design and their work reflects the rich diversity of India's climate, locally available building materials, and the intricate variations in local social customs and craftsmanship. It has been estimated that worldwide close to 90% of all building is vernacular, meaning that it is for daily use for ordinary, local people and built by local craftsmen.
  The term vernacular architecture in general refers to the informal building of structures through traditional building methods by local builders without using the services of a professional architect. It is the most widespread form of building.
  In India there are numerous traditional regional styles, although there is much in common in the styles of the Hindi belt in the north.
context_section_description: Indian vernacular architecture has evolved organically over time through the skillful craftsmanship of the local people. Despite the diversity, this architecture can be broadly divided into three categories.
caption: A Toda tribal hut, often compared to ancient Gavaksha roof and arch.
exif: {}