Bricks in Nepalese Architecture
Architecture best dictated by material can be best exemplified in Nepalese context, where the alluvial soil deposits have resulted in a classic development of brick architecture. Brick has become spirit of Nepalese architecture since Kirat period. The extensive use of brick in Nepalese context might be the availability of good soil, more flexibility in casting of desired shape and size in easy way and of course the workability due to its size.
Fast development of bricks in Nepalese architecture is renowned for its advanced structural, ornamental and structural works. This was made possible by good workmanship, specialization in brick making needs of different types of shaped and sized and plentiful availability of raw material.
Bricks are used in foundations also. Foundation of a structure is usually shallow. The basic foundation consist of a few layers of natural stone (large pebbles of broken stone) ; this is followed by brickwork which gradually attains wall thickness of ground floor and which continues into the superstructure without damp-proof of layer. It is said that temples have no foundation. It is the plinth (incase of temples) which actually acts as a foundation. A plinth infront of houses and palaces are not structural but acts as a protection against damp penetration and to give lifting appearance above road level. In similar way stepped plinth of temple not only serve as protection against damp penetration but also for aggrandizement of temples.
The plinth of the temple is of symbolic importance not only for its geometric shape that relates to total temple plan but for its bricks that are moulded into forms both decorative and meaningful ornamental bricks have been found in the ruin of early Buddhist monument in Terai including examples of patterns as part of the plinth of the temple of Mayadevi at Lumbini and Lotus bearing brick that cover a relic casket in the stupa/ bihar construction at Sagarwa. Recent finds of bricks are of intended check board design ( in Patan Museum). Their pattern reflects those of plinth decoration. The base of shrine of Mayadeva at Pachali as unusual construction with 3 bricks. Shikhara is especially elaborated with several rows of moulded bricks on each of its foundation. Bricks walls are usually perform the structural function.
Walls are generally thick (up to 70 cm) but the walls of some temples and certain palace building tends to be much thicker often up to 2m. Construction of wall is done in three leafing – the outer, middle and inner. This kind of walling was done to save cost for climatic suitability. Normally variation of temperature (between maximum and minimum is 24 C winter and 12 C in summer) so this variation is very uncomfortable and to cope with this problem, thick wall was done. Thick walls means heat takes long time (8 to 12 hrs) to reach outer to inner side i.e. time lag is 10 hours average. So the building becomes cold in summer and hot in winter. This type of treatment of bricks certainly comfort desired.
Outer bricks are of many types and names. Simple ba appa, ma appa, appa are rectangular and dachi appa is conical bricks. Society with naming of bricks of many kinds refers the elaborate society. Dachi appa are used in such a way that mortar cannot be seen from outside. This was for the prevention of moisture / dampness/ rain. That is virtually used mortar for this purpose since it acts as a black cotton soil.
Many types of bricks are used depending upon financial standing and importance of the building. Some name of bricks used for various purposes are listed below.
1) Nagol
2) Kasimo
3) Dachi appa
4) Ma appa, ba
appa
5) Pha butta
jhallar
6) Phalho appa
7) Jhallar butta
8) Nag appa
9) Mikha fusi
10) Karnesh
11) Telia brick
12) Chikappa
13) Kachi appa
14) Tu appa
appa-
simplest type of fire brick
ma appa – telia bricks
ba appa – decorated bricks
dachi appa- conical brick
kachi apa
–unbaked bricks
tu appa – brick for round well.
Thick bricks utilized for water conduits and long well brunt brick (58cm x 20cm x 4cm) in covering drainage channel show large application of bricks in Malla period.
Conclusion: -
From
above discussion we can conclude that bricks play a great role in day-to-day
usable space that is becoming social object of prime importance in
architectural view. Its use ranges from water conduits, drainage covering, and
foundation to wall and decorative items.
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