PROFESSIONALS’ PERCEPTIONS OF CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON TRADITIONAL HOUSES IN INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Culture has significantly influenced the architecture of traditional houses in various parts of the world for a long time, and several studies have addressed this aspect. Previous researchers have used different methods such as case studies, interviews, or questionnaire surveys with residents to understand this influence. However, past studies have not considered the opinions of professionals in the fields of architecture or culture regarding such influences, neither at the international nor at the national (India) level. Purpose of the study: Therefore, this study aims to understand the influence of intangible aspects of culture, particularly on the spatial organization of traditional houses in India, from the perspective of various professionals in related fields. Methods: Data for this study were collected through structured, in‑depth interviews with professionals and were analyzed using content analysis with QDA Miner Lite software. The
results show that most professionals feel that conformity to local climate, geology, and geography is the most important intangible cultural aspect, while courtyards are the most influenced tangible aspect of spatial organization in traditional Indian houses. Conclusions: The findings of this study will help various stakeholders in the fields of architecture, heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration to make informed decisions when planning transformations of such houses or when formulating policies to preserve the cultural identities of these houses.