Kutch’s Engineering Wonder – Traditional Bhunga Huts

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The Kutch region in Gujarat is classified as a concerning Zone 5 in terms of seismic vulnerability. It’s proximity to where the plates meet make it earthquake prone. After the earthquake of 1819, the local people decided to build houses that would be calamity-proof. Thus came about the Bhunga huts.

Many Kutch tour packages present options of traditional accommodation for tourists. The Bhunga huts are a popular favourite not only for their colours and art all over them but also because they’re surprisingly comfortable to live in.

Structure

The circular huts have low-rise walls made up of sticks and straws tied together and then thatched with mud and cow dung. This thatching with wet mud or dung can be seen across rural India which acts as an effective and natural temperature control technique. The conical roofs slightly spilling over the circumference, are made the same way without the mud or dung which gives a good height inside the hut towards the centre. Every room is a different hut. All the pillars and walls are covered in hand painted or sculpted art!

The Science of Engineering

• Circular shape: Earthquake force hits structures laterally thus making corners particularly weak. The Bhunga huts’ arches using its circular surface against this force. Thus the huts are also protected against cyclones as they don’t obstruct the winds or allow for a difference in pressure to build up inside.

• The Walls: Due to low-rise walls, chances of collapse are dim. Moreover there are no common walls which removes the possibility of indirect impact. Thick walls also mean that the heat doesn’t penetrate easily.

• The Conical Roof: The roof is lightweight and thus survives earthquakes. It’s slight spill over on edges means that sunlight doesn’t hit the walls directly thus keeping the cool in the hut. Its thermal conductivity is low due to choice of materials.

• Space: The central area in the hut is quite spacious and also enjoys a good ceiling height. The door and window openings are small thus guarding the inhabitants against extreme climate of the region. This is particularly useful during sandstorms.

The quiet and aesthetic Kutch will be seeing a good influx of tourists during the Rann Utsav 2017, as it does every year. More and more people have now discovered the genius of the Bhunga huts and learned to appreciate the humble but truly evolved and artful lifestyle of the Kutch locals.

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