Ideas That Inspire: 6 Chettinad Elements From Heritage Mansions
Give your home a vernacular old-world charm with these Chettinad design elements
The Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu is acclaimed for its gorgeous traditional mansions belonging to the old mercantile, agricultural and land-owning families, who titled themselves Chettiar or Chetti. These are known to be designed according to Vastu Shastra and constructed with local materials, crafts and construction techniques that responded to the local climate of that area. Chettiar architecture is also famous for its luxurious scale, vivid colours, wood carvings and even imported materials from all over the world, such as Burma teak, Italian marble, Belgian glass and so on. Although this kind of architecture has witnessed a decline, giving way to modern, contemporary designs, there is hope, as some elements have seen a resurgence in new home designs.
Here are six design elements that you can incorporate into your own home to capture the essence of Chettinad architecture.
Remember to click on the photo to know more about the architect/designer and their work.
Here are six design elements that you can incorporate into your own home to capture the essence of Chettinad architecture.
Remember to click on the photo to know more about the architect/designer and their work.
2. Typical entrances
The entrances or the reception foyer at the entrance of Chettinad bungalows were known as Mugappu. They were elaborately detailed and embellished with wooden handicrafts, sculptures and stucco.
In this bungalow, the gable (triangular portion created by the intersection of slanting roofs) over the porch is detailed with traditional motifs in wood. I love the way it combines with the roof of red baked clay Mangalore tiles. It’s hard to miss the intricately carved black columns and the brass locking system of the entrance door, which resembles a trishul (long-handled trident).
Find an architect from the Houzz directory to design your home
The entrances or the reception foyer at the entrance of Chettinad bungalows were known as Mugappu. They were elaborately detailed and embellished with wooden handicrafts, sculptures and stucco.
In this bungalow, the gable (triangular portion created by the intersection of slanting roofs) over the porch is detailed with traditional motifs in wood. I love the way it combines with the roof of red baked clay Mangalore tiles. It’s hard to miss the intricately carved black columns and the brass locking system of the entrance door, which resembles a trishul (long-handled trident).
Find an architect from the Houzz directory to design your home
3. Richly carved wooden doors
The antique doors of many Chettinad mansions were carved in Burma teak that imparted warmth and grandeur to entrances. The door panels, frames and mouldings were heavily embellished with mythical scenes, elaborate carvings and sculptures of deities from the Hindu epics.
Take a look at this ornamental entrance door: it adds a good touch of artistry and looks glamorous in a rustic setting. And what a style statement it makes!
The antique doors of many Chettinad mansions were carved in Burma teak that imparted warmth and grandeur to entrances. The door panels, frames and mouldings were heavily embellished with mythical scenes, elaborate carvings and sculptures of deities from the Hindu epics.
Take a look at this ornamental entrance door: it adds a good touch of artistry and looks glamorous in a rustic setting. And what a style statement it makes!
4. Athangudi tiles
Athangudi village in the Chettinad region is famous for its patterned athangudi tiles. These tiles are handmade by skilled craftsmen with locally available clay, which is burnt and then glazed. They are available in bright colours and designs, and have an interesting sheen which is neither too shiny nor too dull.
In this image, bright and bold patterned athangudi tiles segregate the living room from the dining area and team up nicely with the decor.
Athangudi village in the Chettinad region is famous for its patterned athangudi tiles. These tiles are handmade by skilled craftsmen with locally available clay, which is burnt and then glazed. They are available in bright colours and designs, and have an interesting sheen which is neither too shiny nor too dull.
In this image, bright and bold patterned athangudi tiles segregate the living room from the dining area and team up nicely with the decor.
5. Carved pillars
A typical Chettiar home usually had intricately carved pillars in wood, stone or granite to support the sloping roofs, especially around the courtyards. The design of pillars was given a lot of importance; as a result the upper and lower portions of the pillars were minutely detailed.
Take a look at this intricately carved stone pillar. It elegantly springs out in the middle of the passage to become the centre of attention.
A typical Chettiar home usually had intricately carved pillars in wood, stone or granite to support the sloping roofs, especially around the courtyards. The design of pillars was given a lot of importance; as a result the upper and lower portions of the pillars were minutely detailed.
Take a look at this intricately carved stone pillar. It elegantly springs out in the middle of the passage to become the centre of attention.
In this mandir, the sculpture of a multicoloured deity (a distinctive idol of the Chettinad temples) is flanked by two intricate stone columns to give a vintage look and impart an aura of piety. Also, the rustic effect created by the stone flooring, the coloured fresco behind the deity and the lighting patterns, all combine for a mesmerising look.
Note: The walls of the Chettiar mansions were finished with a special type of plaster that was locally known as Muthu Poochchu or ‘Chettinad Egg plaster’. The primary ingredients of this plaster were egg white, ground-up sea shells and limestone or chalk. This plaster gave the walls a mirror-like sheen, kept the place cool during the hot and humid Indian summers and lasted a lifetime.
Note: The walls of the Chettiar mansions were finished with a special type of plaster that was locally known as Muthu Poochchu or ‘Chettinad Egg plaster’. The primary ingredients of this plaster were egg white, ground-up sea shells and limestone or chalk. This plaster gave the walls a mirror-like sheen, kept the place cool during the hot and humid Indian summers and lasted a lifetime.
6. Pitched roofs
Pitched (sloping) roofs are a prominent feature of Chettinad mansions. These roofs not only provided an expansive volume of the enclosed space but also ensured ecological sustainability as the slopes allowed collection of water during monsoons for rainwater harvesting.
In this indoor-outdoor space, the terracotta tiles on wooden trusses and the wooden pillars give an earthy appeal that naturally blends with the lush green garden.
Tip: As regular maintenance, it is important to treat the clay tiles with penetrative sealants to protect them from stains and moisture absorption that could cause dampness or fungal growth.
Pitched (sloping) roofs are a prominent feature of Chettinad mansions. These roofs not only provided an expansive volume of the enclosed space but also ensured ecological sustainability as the slopes allowed collection of water during monsoons for rainwater harvesting.
In this indoor-outdoor space, the terracotta tiles on wooden trusses and the wooden pillars give an earthy appeal that naturally blends with the lush green garden.
Tip: As regular maintenance, it is important to treat the clay tiles with penetrative sealants to protect them from stains and moisture absorption that could cause dampness or fungal growth.
Here is a classic example, in miniature, of a sloping roof of Mangalore tiles combines with wooden pillars and a carved door to impart a Chettinad character to a puja room.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
5 Ways to Infuse a Traditional Rajasthani Flavour Into Your Home
Tell us:
Do you have any suggestions about how to give a Chettinad flavour to the decor of a home? Let us know in Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
5 Ways to Infuse a Traditional Rajasthani Flavour Into Your Home
Tell us:
Do you have any suggestions about how to give a Chettinad flavour to the decor of a home? Let us know in Comments below.
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The Chettinad homes were planned around extensive courtyards (at least two) and deeply-shaded verandahs that opened into the rooms and other functional spaces. These areas established an excellent inside-outside connect that brought in ample natural light, allowed cross-ventilation and kept the rooms cool against the summer heat. The courtyards were specially designated for entertaining guests and bringing the family together during festivals and religious ceremonies.
Here, in this example, just see how the water-lily pond is a modern response to the traditional courtyard and the corridors are effective in weaving together different areas of the home.