Non-verbal communicative aspects of verandah in “walauwa” under uva province: a case study

Abstract

Vernacular architectural built environments are bio climatically comfortable, effective spaces as means of achieving comfort. “Pila” is a sustainably designed built environment with a goal of long term sensitive humanization of vernacular Architecture. Together it mergers natural environmental conditions such as natural light, heat and ventilation is a significant manner. This multidisciplinary sustainable built environment; “Pila”, was introduced in the novel mode with the colonization known as “Verandah”. Caste system declared during Kandyan period, society composed with groups of people comprising diverse social levels. Under this norms, upper class or elites’ constructed a dwelling type “Walauwa”.Verandah is the preliminary element that these diverse social structure met. The fixed and semi fixed elements acts as an immediate transitional communicating non-verbally and logically. Uva province faced two Kandyan wars. Three case studies prevailed in Uva belongs to Last colonized British period creates an opportunity to interpret and compare the Verandah periodically. Detailing, materials, proportions and the user behavior was studied in depth on semi fixed elements of the Verandah and analyzed. The study will analytically conclude, how the semi-fixed elements, in depth towards furniture in Verandah non-verbally communicates the prevailed social structure with respect to Uva province.