The Embodied Experience of Vernacular Architecture: A Case Study on the Material and Art Aspects of Kathkuni Style in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
July 2026, Vol. 4, No. 2, Issue
Author(s)
Maya Negi (Department of Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh)
Karanjot Kaur Brar (Department of Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh)
Abstract
The recent trend in architectural literature has made a shift from understanding architectures as mere representations or signifying systems, towards a more experiential dimension and beyond the visual bias. They are not seen as a static backdrop but as part of a continuous dialogue with the body, mind and the environment. The study employs the method of embodied experience of architectures for a more intimate and meaningful interaction. The space between the self, the perceived and the conceived is traversed through the regions architectural landscape where the body, the object of experience and the mind are in a continuous process of interaction and communication to understand the spaces of the studied aspects of material and art from a more experiential point of view. In this process, the study also highlights some of the important facets of Kinnauri architectural heritage such as indigenous knowledge, ancient designs and generational skills, inherited and practiced by the local craftsmen known as the oras. These artisans and craftsmen have been responsible for making the earthquake resistant kathkuni architectures from locally available resources. They not only craft tools to build and sustain the structure but embellish it with intricate carvings and art work that bears testimony to the articulation of a harmonious balance between nature and culture of the region throughout centuries, where the physical and the spiritual come together to manifest sacred spaces of everyday living. This is required for further sustenance of not only the architectures arts and aesthetics but its credibility and meaning in socio-cultural life of the people and adaptability to the changing environment.
Keywords
Vernacular Architecture, Kathkuni Style, Indigenous Knowledge, Phenomenology, Embodied Experience, Drawing
DOI :
Copyright & Licence
Authors publishing in JAARD retain copyright in their work and grant the journal the right of first publication. Published articles are made available under the Creative Commons licence specified by the journal. Current licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Dates
Published: 31st July 2026
Received: 21st April 2026
Accepted: 26th June 2026
Pages : 58-76
Citation
Negi, M., & Brar, K. K. (2026). The embodied experience of vernacular architecture: A case study on the material and art aspects of Kathkuni style in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. International Journal of Arts, Architecture & Design, 4(2), 58–76. https://doi.org/10.62030/2026Julypaper4
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