RATNAGIRI SETTLEMENT STUDY
 

Our group was expected to study construction technology of the village. The way in which a house is constructed from scratch, the minute joineries and unique techniques with which they are build and also generating an estimation of the cost required to build it. From the foundation to the roof, we researched how its made, where to get the materials and how it is different from the method used generally in metropolitan regions.
 
We observed that the materials used here are almost identical to what we use in cities but there’s a distinctive stone found in the konkan region especially in Ratnagiri i.e. Laterite(referred to as cheera). It is the substitute used for bricks and cement blocks. It is strong, heavy and porous. It can be joined simply through concrete. This material brings a huge difference in structures in Ratnagiri and other regions. We then collected information about the materials used in the making of a house, how much a material is used, what will be the total expense, where these materials are collected or manufactured from and who makes these houses. We got to know that prior to cheera, a different material was used to build these houses, known as Karel phadi.
 
Foundations here are not generally column foundation but beneath a house there’s a whole bed of laterite, walls are being stand at the edges of this bed which are also made of laterite and concrete.
 
To make roofs first a wooden grid is made consisting various parts such as purlins, rafters, battens, etc. On this grid there’s this fixation of Manglorean tiles. Normally every other house here has a courtyard, veranda, separate rooms for worship and external washrooms which is rare to see in rural areas.
 
To conclude, we studied how a standard liveable structure in Ratnagiri is made, with what amount of cost and labour. Also what are the steps involved and how everything works.