International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 06 Issue: 10 | Oct 2019 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2019, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.34 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1620 To Study the Appraisal of Construction Techniques in Lower Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh Aayushi Gadi 1 , Ar. Soma Anil Mishra 2 1 Student, Architecture, SDPS Women’s College, Indore, India 2 Principal, SDPS Women’s College, Indore, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract - Traditional buildings have confronted natural hazards and environmental influences over centuries and sustained themselves in their original style. Contemporary materials are gaining acceptance in the hills as they are readily accessible. But the modern houses have not accustomed themselves to the regional climatic conditions and seismic constraints. Hence, there is a high demand for techniques which are sensitive to the local climate and geographical conditions and caters to the aspirations of the individual. For the study, the traditional and contemporary techniques popular in the region are studied and appraised for their suitability in the modern context. Traditional knowledge should be merged with recent materials and construction technology for sustainable construction. Key Words: Alternative Construction Technique, Climatic Response, Contemporary Construction Techniques, Material Suitability, Traditional construction technique 1. INTRODUCTION Construction techniques and materials employed in buildings play a significant role in their safety, response to local environmental conditions and their cost- effectiveness. The construction industry is one of the highest consumers of energy. The material used for construction has a direct impact on energy consumption and consequently affect the environmental impact of the building. Sustainability is the foremost concern in the world today due to impending climatic change. Sustainable development takes a whole new magnitude in the fragile ecological context of the hill regions. The regions are not only fragile but also experience harsh climates and are susceptible to environmental impacts like landslides, earthquakes, etc. In such a scenario, planning, designing and construction of new settlements need to be a response to the climatic conditions and disaster vulnerability of hills. Traditional construction techniques have evolved over centuries as a response to the varied climates and availability of materials. They have withstood the test of times, resisting natural hazards and environmental impacts. The traditional construction techniques employed in the hilly region use the local materials and the expertise of the ages to minimize their impact on the ecology. The traditional buildings in the hills seem to have sprung from the ground, merging with the landscape of the hills. F.L. Wright defined traditional buildings as “Folk building growing in response to actual needs, fitted into the environment by people who knew no better than to fit them with native feeling.” [5] Fig -1 Traditional Settlement in Hilly region Apart from the benefits, vernacular buildings have various concerns like, need for regular maintenance, low strength of building materials, unavailability of traditional technique practicing craftsmen, lack of traditional materials results in diminished use of these sustainable vernacular practices for construction of new structures in the hilly region. The construction practices are prevalent in hills nowadays are no different from the construction in plains due to easy availability of cement and bricks. Thus, transformation in the serene and pleasant visuals of the hills. Increased exposure to new materials and technologies and consequently the aspirations of the people have undermined the use of traditional techniques. The inefficient performance of these building practices in terms of energy and stability against natural hazards is a lesson to learn. Massive development with contemporary materials has lead to pollution, loss of vegetation, increase in soil erosion, increase in surface runoff, lowering of the water table, flooding, change in micro climate and increase in occurrences of instability, which cause severe damage to the environment in and around the hilly region. However, innovations in technologies and new materials that more efficient, better looking and at times even cost- effective can provide a solution to create a sustainable environment.