Portable Chajjas- Traditional wisdom Contemporary approach

Chajjas have always been an integral part of traditional Indian buildings, most prominently in the Arid and Semi Arid regions of North-Northwestern parts India. These are basically shading devices which have been explored through multitude of construction techniques and materials (like RCC, Wood, Stone etc). Apart from this, in traditional Indian architecture these have been utilized as excellent aesthetic building element, most prominently visible in Rajasthani style of architecture.

But with changing trends in Architecture and advent of contemporary style these architectural features lost a bit on their place as a standard building component. Wishing for a seamless facade, architects are now mostly ignoring the Chajjas as roof overhangs or even above windows. Simultaneously, with decline in traditional ways of planning, such as courtyard style houses etc, these related features are also declining in use.

Now the question to be asked here is, should we keep on neglecting these architectural features and let them vanish into history of architecture books. Answer is, NO.
Apart from being a legacy of traditional wisdom of Indian architects, these are as much a tool for enhancing sustainability in buildings. Chajjas installed over roof and windows considerably minimize the solar heat gain into the building. This in turn leads to less energy spent on cooling the building. So overall the building would be more energy efficient with chajjas, than without them.

The write-up here seeks to explore the ways to integrate these sustainability tools in today's buildings without compromising the contemporary outlook of the design. And I suggest, we achieve that through use of portable chajjas, which could be installed or removed from the building as and when required. This would provide necessary play to the architect also while designing the facade. Though, it would require few interventions in building facade during construction itself.

Section of a wall through window showing portable Chajja

Besides this, through effective mechanical interventions in the design, allowing for vertical as well as lateral movement, these chajjas could even be upgraded to dynamic shade control devices instead of their current static state.

Lateral movement on pivot connection ensures better shade control

Apart from portability and dynamic movement, further points which could be considered while producing the customized chajjas could be:

• Material selection- Preferably light weight and durable
• Artistic enhancements- Could be incorporated to go with facade design
• Facade fastening mechanism
• Retractable- Could be explored as a replacement of removable chajjas
• Scope of Automation