Construction Technology and Material of "Malla House"

The construction material and techniques have all had an importance role in the development of infrastructures. Building environment which bear no visible human marks are rare- the realm of oceans, the poles, deserts, mountain summits. 

Nepalese traditions, cultures and environment are so unique and intricate that the buildings, cottage and Nepalese tradition, monuments, places are made in such a way which are measured from different aesthetic point of view which shows the beautiful, perfection of the model design of the building and monuments. 

From the Malla's period, there are many infrastructures found in Nepal which has more importance in its own as well as value from tourism point of view. Mostly in Kathmandu valley, there are many cultural and religious places which have their link with traditions and from different cultural aspects of life. The society is a mixed community residing in Kathmandu Valley with inclusive which they believe in their tradition and religion and as Valley is famous for the temples of God and Goddesses which is a living aspect of people. 

History itself introduce of the building techniques, materials from mud to clay to brick or timber to plank to timber joist. Local studies should be carried out to understand the meaning and terms of different construction material and techniques which are used in different buildings, monuments, temples which are used for built purposes for human benefits and a place for understanding its presence. 

While the prospects of building construction and material are quite good for judgment, history is reassuring. It appears that there are human and technological factors which are identify with successful societal accomplishments. There have been the adaptations in the construction material and techniques which are exemplary. In addition there has developed an extensive way of knowledge on the environment which is fundamental to human and design based upon objective principles-it is a challenge and an architect concept on construction material and techniques.

The historic timeline may be a useful outline and reference for those interested in correlating the historic development of various components of the construction material and techniques which are used in local built environment.

The appearance of New Dynasty, The Mallas , at the beginning of the 13th century. stone inscriptions or Silapatras, and copper plaques or Tamapatras, while recording the construction of buildings and sculptures, given a relatively precise pictures of the development during this period. under the rule of the mallas a period of relatively stability began, lasting almost 600 years. the concept of built of Malla house was based upon the locally available of materials and the craftsmanship.

The complete turning away from traditional form and architectural style as well as the traditional building materials had a marked effect on the continuity of traditional architecture and on the producers and users of traditional materials, such as the brick makers, brick layers, and carvers.

 A characteristic and universal features of this kind of design is the vertical room arrangement which is not the dependent on the size of the houses. Due to security reason, and the need to use as little irrigable land for building purpose, causes the Malla house to be vertically orientated. Generally it is three storeyed, but two-storeyed houses occur and four-storeys in the centre of town. 

The uniform depth facilitates the building of additional houses on to existing ones, to form block of houses. the extension were of equal height, the depth being determined by that of the main house and  the aim of each family and every clan seems to have been the building of one single house around one courtyard or chowk, providing them with both the security and privacy.

If the chowk is surrounded by one large unit, only the vertical utilization of space still applies, as in smaller units. different staircases, generally located in the corners, lead to separate room clusters, which due to the symmetry facade , are not distinguished from the outside. as the size, location and heating facilities of the rooms impose certain limitation on their use, the courtyard becomes a vital component of the house itself. in short, it is a multi-purpose area, useful for most of the daily activities of the occupants.

Thus, buildings in the so-called the most typical living buildings) represent the craft and architecture of the cultural renaissance of the Malla period, which began around the beginning of the 15th century and survived the beginning of shah period but rapidly faded during the Rana period(1845-1951 A.D).

IMPORTANCE OF MALLA HOUSE

• The houses are constructed of brick, and are three or four storeys high.
• The Malla houses apartment are not lofty.
• The Malla have door and windows of wood, well worked and arranged with great regularity.
• The dwellings have not changed much either.
• 3-storeys with a pitched roof and of common materials such as burnt brick and timber.
• Brick may be of sun-dried rough and simply baked, others may be carefully burnt for specific purposes, others again have especially smooth surfaces and are polished before firing.
• Distinguishing features-may be the ornately carved doors and windows, of which the crowning achievement is the large living room window or Sajhya facing the street from the second or third floor.
• Symmetry is the aim in the design of the Facade.
• The entrance door is barred with two massive wooden planks.
• The windows are generally closed by fine wooden lattice work.
• Sajhya window in the main living room is for the communication to the street.
• Some typical malla house/newar house, the 3rd floor is generally an attic directly under the roof which is mainly used as the kitchen and eating room. 
• The ground floor is never used as a living area,as among other reasons, it offered no protection against dampness.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUES

Different kinds of materials are used to build Malla house”.  Locally available material are used in house as well as the majority portion of timber, brick and mud are used to build this kind of infrastructures. Overall concept of roof was greatly designed by use of timber, properly settled posture. 

The traditional built of those kind of houses are specially built by mud, brick and timber. Foundations of the Malla house are strong by stone as well as brick for maintaining strength. The building techniques are interesting to see and observe. Rope are used for settled posture of roof, with the use of timber overall on that roof from the height level to roof level.

Actually Malla house are made by burned brick, mud and from such material which are used for building prospects. the material and techniques surely maintained by craftsmen or such designers who make such historic importance infrastructures which not only represents Newari culture but also represents its design, material aspects and a place for heritage conservation of Nepali traditions and our country Nepal. 

The techniques are very good and a measurable concept on that time where it’s much more difficult to adjust all that kind of beam, joist, timber (wooden beam/rafter) and column to its built figure. The techniques to stand the building like these kinds of typical houses or other such related works are quite tough and hard to stand for its roof from the sub structure to super structure level to maintain properly in a desired shape. 

MATERIAL USED

1. Stone: for foundation work

2. Brick: for wall posture

3. Mud (clay)

4. Wood (timber)

5. Burned brick: for wall 

 6. Tiles (tali): roof purpose

7. Jhingati

The Purbanchal University offers different project work as a part of M.Sc. Urban Design and Conservation Curriculum. The main objective of this project work is to provide the opportunity for the students to study and analyze field related problems.

This project report “Malla House” would be a helpful guideline for implementing the Newar tradition and building design aspects.This report would also help to understand, share and explore knowledge of the traditional architecture of the Kathmandu valley.