This document summarizes a documentation project on traditional Newari residential architecture in Lalitpur, Nepal. It discusses the objectives, scope, methodology and structure of the documentation project. The literature review covers the evolution of Nepali history, the transformation of traditional dwellings from simple huts to multi-story buildings, and details on traditional Newari residential architecture, including physical structure, planning and construction techniques. The documentation project focuses on analyzing a traditional Newari house in Dhokasi, Lalitpur to understand its architectural elements and technology.

1. This documentation project draws together a selection of the traditional newar
architecture developments as well as some variation with other residential
buildings. During our documentation work, we came across scholars and the
accomodating people.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude towards our supervisor, Dr. Rohit
Ranjitkar and Shrish Bhatta for their incredible guidance, precious suggestion and
invaluable encouragement throughout the documentation work. The successful
completion of work is only possible with their moral, technical and expertise
support.
We are sincerely gratified , not only for the extreme care and attention they showed
but also for their critical insights that they put into our works and feedback given
us in the whole work.
We also like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Gyaniraj (the care taker of the
residential building), for his meaningful interactions during the visit in his house,
Dhokasi, Shankhamul- Lalitpur and we thank the house owner for her moral as
well as physical support throughout our documentation project work.
Amit Pokhrel
Bhakta Laxmi Maharjan
Sabila Joshi
Renu Maharjan

2. Table of Content
Glossary....................................................................................................................
List of Figures............................................................................................................
Chapter1.Introduction................................................................................................
1.1 Background..................................................................................................
1.2 Objective......................................................................................................
1.3 Scope and Limitations..................................................................................
1.4 Methodology................................................................................................
1.5 Structure of the Documentation...................................................................
Chapter 2. Literature Review.....................................................................................
2.1 Evolution of Neplease history........................................................................
2.2 Transformation-Traditional residential architecture.......................................
2.3 Introduction to traditional dwelling................................................................
2.4 Physical structure............................................................................................
2.5 Planning and use.............................................................................................
Chapter 3.Documentation..........................................................................................
3.1 House of Mrs. Shrada Shrestha at Dhokasi-09, Shankhamul, Lalitpur
3.2 Element of the House.....................................................................................
3.2.1 Dhalin(Joist)..................................................................................................
3.2.2 Nila (Beam)...................................................................................................
3.2.3 Musin (Rafter)...............................................................................................
3.2.4 Thayma (ridge beam)....................................................................................
3.2.5 Opening and member ties..............................................................................
3.2.6 Foundation design (jaga)...............................................................................

3. Chapter 4. Summary of the Case study......................................................................
4.1 Staircase............................................................................................................
4.2 Partition wall.....................................................................................................
4.3 Bamboo partition...............................................................................................
4.4 Wooden partition...............................................................................................
4.5 Brick partition...................................................................................................
4.6 Floor detail........................................................................................................
4.7 Central wall in second floor..............................................................................
4.8 Brick partition wall on second and upper floor level........................................
Chapter 5. Conclusion................................................................................................
Reference.................................................................................................................

4. Glossary
Appa (Apa)...................................................Traditional bricks of various kinds
Chikkan Appa...................................................................Hard burnt clay tiles
Pakwocha................................................................................................Hut
Newar..........................A Nepali ethnic group with high artistic and cultural flair
Phalcha..................................................................Resting place for travellers
Peti.............................................Raised platform along the perimeter of a house
Salla..............................................................................................Pine wood
Than.....................................................................................................Posts
Sattal.........................................................Public resting place for long journey
Dachi Apa.........................................................................Special facing brick
Dhathu Anga............................................................................... Central wall
Than..........................................................................Column, normally wood
Si chuku......................................................................................Timber pegs
Tole...................................A small area denoting a compact neighbourhood unit
Polan Apa...........................................................Jhingati/Traditional small tiles
Nas..............................................................................................Wall plates
Kausi Pachha..........................................................................Waterproof clay
Agahtah.............................................................................................Crosstie
Bhaupa......................................................................................Smoke outlet
Bhyaysi...................................................................................Principal rafter
Dhalin..................................................................................Joist, eaves beam
Kopu Apa........................................................................................Ridge tile
Thayma.......................................................................................Ridge beam
Tha......................................................................................................Pillar
Tunah....................................................................................................Strut
Lakansi....................................................................Base plate of the king post
Baigahtha........................................................................................King post
Musin..................................................................................................Rafter
Meth..................................................................................................Capital
Dhalipakha.................................................................................Lower eaves
Thayma........................................................................................Ridge beam
Musin.................................................................................................Rafter
Sah.....................................................................................................Joint
Chuku.....................................................................................Wooden pegs

5. Dachi Appa: Wedge-shaped traditional baked bricks of high class finish used in the
external skin of the main facades of the important buildings; normally called
conical brick.

6. List of Figures
Figure 1: Map of the Lalitpur city...............................................................................
Figure 2: Documentation objective.............................................................................
Figure 3: Traditional buildings....................................................................................
Figure 4: Development of building height..................................................................
Figure 5: Traditional roof structure.............................................................................
Figure 6: Section of a traditional newar building........................................................
Figure 7: Section of a traditional newar building with space at different levels.........
Figure 8: Street and courtyard facade of the building.................................................
Figure 9: Ground floor plan and first floor plan..........................................................
Figure 10: Interior of the first floor.............................................................................
Figure 11: Cracks developed on the wall at sill level..................................................
Figure 12: Second floor plan.......................................................................................
Figure 13: Damaged beam...........................................................................................
Figure 14: New position of staircase on the second floor ..........................................
Figure 15: Top floor plan.............................................................................................
Figure 16: Inclined beam capital and post...................................................................
Figure 17: view of the terrace before demolition........................................................

7. Figure 18: Top floor after demolition..........................................................................
Figure 19: Dhalin placed close together on the second floor......................................
Figure 20: Joist and plank detail on the first floor.......................................................
Figure 21: Joist running horizontally and connected by chuku...................................
Figure 22: Orderly placement of vertical members supporting the floor....................
Figure 23: Musin placed at regular interval.................................................................
Figure 24: Tang on window.........................................................................................
Figure 25: Inner view of window................................................................................
Figure 26: Typical foundation detail...........................................................................
Figure 27: Plinth depth at the main street....................................................................
Figure 28: Staircase on first floor and second floor....................................................
Figure29: Typical traditional staircase........................................................................
Figure 30: Wooden partition on the first and second floor..........................................
Figure 31: Sipu bhikha and ghringi khapa...................................................................
Figure 32: Floor detail.................................................................................................
Figure 33: terrace area with cement punning..............................................................
Figure 34: Second floor without central wall..............................................................

8. Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 Background
This documentation project work stems from the study of newari residential
buildings of dhokasi-09, shankhamul, lalitpur city, which has the stock of the
traditional buildings and residential dwellings rich in physical and cultural view.
The city is rich in its heritage expressed through harmonizing building materials
and its crafted techniques with construction style or techniques. The artistry of
Nepalease woodwork is renowned and is a prime essence of traditional Nepalease
architecture.
Most of the world monuments are build in their own local technology and have
their own local materials and technologies yet it is not well studied and well
documented. Because of this reasons; it is our duty to understand the use of the
materials and techniques and tie up them in the form of documentation.
Figure 1: Map of the Lalitpur city
Site

9. The system and the scientific justification behind the technologies of our heritage
at present exist on an oral version. for these reasons, this documentation has been
carried out.
1.2 Documentation objective
This documentation only deals with the private residential dwelling. The main
documented question is: what are the physical aspects of the traditional newar
buildings? To answer this kind of technical question, this documentation is carried
out as well as this documentation objective will help us to know the exact situation
of the residential dwellings which has its own importance from traditional
architecture
1.3 Scope and limitations
This documentation project work will focus its study on following aspects:
 Building types and age of the building
 Oral and written account of the building
 Detail types and drawing details
 Terminology of the building elements
This documentation cover the different elements,decorative elements and all part
of the building. this will be limited to structural elements and members that are the
true skeleton of the building details of functional requirements.
1.4 Methodology
This documentation project work deals with an analysis of the typical newari
residential dwellings located in dhokasi-09, shankhamul, lalitpur . the placeis listed
in heritage zone and is well known because of its richness in arts, crafts and
architecture. the methodology adopted to study the traditional newari residential
dwellings are summarized as follows:
 It will review various literatures concerning the traditional Newar building with
respect to building technology
 The documentation will collect all the existing data and verify
 helps to understand different techniques used in this kind of traditional newari
residential buildings

10. Defining the context and limiting the supervised area
Relevant material
Literature review
Project/documentation preparation
Collection of data and information
Figure 2: Documentation objective
1.5 Structure of the documentation
The whole work of the study is distributed over 5 chapters, chapter 1 comprises the
basic introduction relating the background, objectives, scope and limitation,
methodology. chapter 2 presents the review of the literature related with the
documentation work. The review is broadly classified into different headings
namely history of nepalease architecture, transformation from pakwocha to
traditional residential architecture, introduction to traditional dwelling, physical
Primarydata and secondary data
Analysis of information
Figures/ Tables/ Drawings/ Photographs/ Text report writing
Conclusion and recommendation

11. structure, space planning and uses and others construction techniques. A number of
literatures regarding the documentation are presented. chapter 3 mainly focus on
the description of case study that have been conducted during our documentation
project work. In chapter 4, the overall conclusion and in chapter 5 references.
Chapter 2. Literature review
2.1 Evolution of Nepalease history
S.No Period Date
1 The Gopals up to c 1000 BC
2 The Kirats 700 BC-110 AD
3 The Lichhavis 110 AD- 879 AD
4 The Thakuris 879 AD- 1200 AD
5 The Mallas 1200 AD- 1768 AD
6 The Shah 1768 AD-1845 AD
7 The Ranas 1845 AD-1950 AD
8 Later Shah 1950 AD-2008 AD
9 Federal Democratic Republic from-May 28, 2008
There has been limited documentation done on the historical development of
Nepalease architecture, the typology of the building and their change in style
during the past centuries. Based on the analysis of the manuscripts and the existing
buildings, this kind of traditional residential buildings existed from last 200 years
and may be more as long as there was no western influence and building style
followed the tradition pattern.
The dramatic change to the enormous white plastered palaces based on the neo-
classical style from the west built by the Rana rulers, brought certain changes in
dwelling design particularly in facade for at least the richer section of the populace
with the massive influx of western ideas at the begining of the second half of the
20th century , a total change in the design of dwelling took place. Those within
settlements were able to make minor alterations only because of the limited space

12. within a block of houses, but new houses outside the dense settlements were able
to use new materials, modern designs and construction techniques.
The break with tradition was so rapid and harsh that over the last few years a
positive trend has emerged to find a modern nepali style and at least building
materials, such as traditional type of bricks, tile, stone and wood is again being
used in many places as originally intended.
2.2 Transformation of traditional residential architecture
The architecture from the ancient time followed traditional technology and locally
available materials to construct the shelter that would protect people from harsh
rain, sun and their buildings from dacoits and many other threatening things
Figure 3: Traditional buildings (Pakocha)
The initial buildings in the valley gradually developed from a simple hut built up
of sun dried brick to a kiln brick house, while now most of the buildings are
constructed with modern technology.The initial form of building known as
pakwocha is a temporary shelter for guarding crops which is constructed with mud,
sun dried bricks and wood structures. These are used for shelter mainly during
agricultural activities such as rice plantation when farm workers gather and had
their lunch at fields, or use as the store house for fire woods or as a farm house.The
architecture of the pakwocha may be the begining from which the traditional
Newari dwelling later transformed.

13. With the appearence of three storied buildings, and later on four storied stuctures,
malla town newar private houses were allowed to increase the height of the houses
to three floors or construct new ones to that height ,which were not only terraced
houses but also courtyard houses. With the begining of this types of house, a
further vertical expansion of building volume was made possible. The resultant
problem that residential narrow streets and gardens were, cast in shadow by these
high buildings which was to some extent compensated by the subsequent inclusion
of openings, sunlit, roof terraces directly adjoining the kitchen to form a further
external space proved to be most expedient.
The need for even more space with increment of family follwing the centuries led
to a further rise in the height. Thus, in the Shah and Ranas period, four storied
buildings were often constructed. Frequently, this increase in heights was achieved
by the addition of a new floor. Houses constructed in this century , especially those
from after the horrible earthquake of 1934, are quite often four storied till early
1970. Increasingly, the height of the building is significantly raised in some cases
over-extended from an original room height of 1.60-1.90 m to 2.50-2.90 m.
Simultaneously from 1970 onwards new building style arose in, mostly modern
elements from other architectural styles.
Figure 4: Development of building height

14. It is evident that the original building regulation as to height limitation served an
obvious regulatory purposes. It is also manifestly clear that this regulation is no
longer observed today. It is thus possible that a modern five or six storey building
is planted next to an old three storey house, towering above all the neighbouring
houses in an already very densely built environment, with negative effect on
buildings safety as well as sunlight and ventillation is concerned.
In the above illustration not only is the increament in the number of floors outlined,
but also the simultaneous horizontal expansion which runs parallel to it from a
single bay to a double bay construction. This was probably first introduced during
the Rana period.
2.3 Introduction to traditional dwelling
In contrast to the well documented descriptions of religious buildings, the
historical information concerning private buildings or dwellings is almost non-
existent.
A jesuit traveler, Father Giusppe who visited Nepal nearly 200 years ago gives
probably the earliest description of the dwellings: “The houses are constructed of
brick, and are three or four storey high; their apartments are not lofty; they have
doors and windows of wood, well worked and arranged with great regularity”.
The traditional building from Malla period differs from the building of Shah and
Rana period. The major difference which can be seen visually, is floor height,
window style, and carvings on the wooden members. However, traditional
buildings are considered to be three or four storied high between 1.8 to 2.4 m
connected by a narrow and steep wooden staircase. The plan is usually of simple
rectangular from depth about 6m and lenght varying from 3m to 10m. The building
is constructed in brick masonary structure with mud mortar as binding material
while the material for foundation is stone or brick. Timber is used for window,
door frame and carved elements, staircase, beam, strut, purlin.
The roof is a good architectural feature of the whole building, which is usually in
slope with tile roofing, called locally as “Jhingati”. It is constructed with wooden

15. beam over which wooden boards are placed and then thick layer of mud topping is
applied as the base for jhingati.
Figure 4: Traditional roof structure
Wolfgang Korn also elaborated that a characteristic and universal features of this
kinds of design is the vertical room arrangement, which is not dependent on the
size of the house. security considerations, and the need to use a little irrigable land
for building purposes, caused the Newar house to be vertically orientated.
Generally it is three storeyed, but two storied houses occur among the poorer
inhabitants on the town’s fringes, and four storied in the centre of the town. The
uniform depth facilitates the building of additional houses on to existing ones, to
form blocks of houses. the extensions were of equal height, the depth being
determined by that of the main house, and either of the full depth of 6m or only
half that depth was used.
2.4 Physical structure
The buildings that overlooks the main access roads and those that occupy key
positions in large enclosed space are usually of architectural importance. Their
facades are generally symmetrical and contain finely detailed and carved windows
and doors. Symmetry is achieved on a central axis on each succeeding floor with
the central window of each floor emphasized by both its size and quality of detail.
The houses are usually of two to three storeys set above a ground floor.

16. Figure 6: Section of traditional newari building
Figure 7: Section of a traditional newar building with space at different levels
Purlin
Timber peg
Eaves
Post
Door
Ridge
Rafter
Eaves
Post
Ridge

17. 2.5 Planning and use
The private house exhibits many zones with different use association and
significance. This differentiation applies both on a horizontal as well as on a
vertical plane. It is at its most emphatic in the classical three storied or four storied
town house with extended roof. In low buildings the zones are often mixed and
overlap considerably in tall ones however, certain areas tend to repeat themselves.
Chapter 3. Documentation
3.1 House of Mrs. Shrada Shrestha at Dhokasi-09, Shankhamul,-Lalitpur
Location: Dhokasi-09, Shankhamul, Lalitpur, Nepal
Owner: Mrs. Shrada Shrestha
History
Kathmandu valley has been listed in world heritage sites list, every traditional and
culturally important building are important from that view, but due to lack of
recording, these kinds of dwellings are vanishing day by day. People are
converting their tradtional look to modern ones and this kinds of historically
important buildings are in a way to lost.So by this kind of method, we can at least
try our best to preserve traditionally and culturally important buildings.
We surveyed the building located at dhokasi, ward number -9 at Shankhamul,
Lalitpur.While surveying the building, it is found to be constructed in two phase,
whole building was constructed after 1990 B.S and currently the topmost part is
under construction for adaptative reuse as an apartment.
According to the owner’s grandmother, the building was built two to three years
after a devasting earthquake of 1934(1990 B.S) which gives the time period of
building is about 76 years old. As stated by owner’s grandmother, this building
encountered many natural disaster but was not damaged so it is standing till today
inspite of many later earthquakes.It was formely used by the single residence of
that family but with the passage of time, the family number of the owners has
multiplied and various parts of the house have been acquired by members of the
family.Due to the lack of care and maintainence, the upper part has been damaged
and the front wall have cracks. Since then restoration measures have been under
taken in this building.

18. a. Current description of the house
This residential building has been constructed in the rana period which can be
approached through a common courtyard as well as main street linking Sankhamul
to Mangal Bazzar. There are many changes done on this house from the
maintenance point of view. The local construction technique with locally available
Figure 8: Street and courtyard façade of the building
material has been used to build this building. Earlier the building had been made
up of mud, burnt bricks and timber but due to introduction of modern materials, the
owner has adopted all the new materials for the physical maintenance and reduced
most of the traditional components from the house. One of the main reasons behind
is failure to preserve or safe guard the traditional materials and technology.
Due to many such reasons, people are being modernized for the building point of
view too. Due to western impact and greed on physical improvement, people are
throwing their entire traditional look to modern ones and due to advantages of new
material, traditional things are in the way of extinct.

19. The house from the ground floor to upper floor is being changed now. The roof is
introduced by corrugated iron sheets and due to introduction of steel and glass
panels, people went for adding all that materials for the aesthetic point of view too.
Same condition was found during the documentation of the building.
b. Existing condition of the house
There are two rooms in the ground floor, one given on rent and other used for
storage. Toilet on the North West corner lacks ventilation and the space under the
staircase has been used for storage as well. Use of new modern material such as
cement on floor and wall shows that there had been work of repair and
maintenance before to prevent dampness. Beams and wooden planks seem to be
replaced with new ones probably due to the weak condition. The wooden doors
(Pasa dhi) facing the man street has been added later.
Figure 9: Ground floor plan and First floor plan
The first floor seems to be quiet intact in terms of traditional Rana building
characters like vertically extended windows, less decorative wooden post, and
wooden planking with mud flooring above. But cement plaster had been done on
the walls on later period. Whole room has been painted green on walls and blue on

20. ceiling. Usually Malla traditional buildings were not painted as colors was not
being introduced in that period. There is a small store room which was earlier
known as dhukuti, this room can be approached through small wooden door and
has been partitioned by wooden planks. There are built in cabinet on the southern
wall for storage purpose.
Cracks have been developed on the sill of the new modern window that could be
either due to the poor workmanship during the installation of the new window or
due to earthquake damage. The present living room has been partitioned with
plywood on east part of the staircase and brick wall on the west part of the
staircase. Typical wooden sliding door has been used as a barrier for outsiders to
permit directly on the upper floors.
Figure 10: Interior of the first floor Figure11: Cracks developed on wall at
sill level
The second floor also seems to have
gone through modifications like use
of new modern glass windows on
opposite walls facing east west. The
wall on the southern part has been
plastered and seems to have been
constructed later. The floor height is
less compared to the first floor and
room can be approached through
wooden door one which connects one
room to the other. Here, rooms have
been partitioned through wooden
Door
leading
to the
store
Figure12: Second floor plan

21. planks at the passage area and brick wall to separate each other. Niches can be
observed, two on the plastered wall and other small one on western part used for
some storage purpose. On this floor the position of the staircase was not directly
above the below one rather, it was straight from the landing part connected to the
opposite wall. But the position has been changed and now it is directly above the
previous one. Most of the horizontal members like beams are damaged and the
centrally running middle beam is inclined to the southern wall. Displacement
between post and capital could be seen resulting overall inclination of the central
beam.
Figure 13: Damaged beam Figure 14: New position of the staircase on
the second floor
Figure 16: Inclined beam
leading displacement between
capital and post
New position
of the staircase
New position
of the staircase
Glass
windows
Figure 15: Top floor plan

22. Since upper most storey of the building was dismantled for the changes, only wall
on western part was remained. However, we got the photographs of the building
which was taken before
it was dismantled. According to the photographs, CGI sheets had been used that
was inclined towards the main street.
But the remains of mud and roof line could be seen on the wall of the adjacent
building, which clearly depicts that earlier there was two way slope roof and
material used was polan appa.
Figure 17: View of the terrace before Fig 18: Top floor after demolition
demolition
According to the care taker Gyaniraj, the house went on many changes and
maintenance from the very beginning.
CGI
Roof

23. 3.2 Elements of traditional House
Structural members, which are used in Newar dwellings, are systematized. The
members are likewise named as its function and placement. They all are well
arranged and joint together with different joining techniques like sa (joint), chuku
(peg) and other such techniques. The above assemble drawing shows the perfect
placement of each members with its particular name. The function of the structural
members, its size and orientation are described below as per the case study and
observation during the visits.
3.2.1 Dhalin (Joist)
Dhalin (joist) is the horizontal structural
member which holds the different weight of
ba: (floor). Dhalin are placed closer in the
Newar style dwelling. On the case of this
buliding, dhalins are being closely placed
together on the ground floor and second floor.
While on the first floor they are being placed
at certain gap compared to the lower floor.
Figure 19: Dhalin placed close
together on the second floor
Chuku
Figure 21: Joist running horizontally
and connected by chuku
Figure 20: Joist and plank
detail on first floor

24. The cross-section size of Dhalin (joist) is gradually being changed and also the
spacing of dhalin (joist) has been changed from compact to expanded form in
different floors.
3.2.2 Nila (Beam)
Nila is the primary beam which carries the whole load of the dwelling. The nila
(beam) has been placed in mattan (first floor),chota (second flor) and upper floor
replacing dathu aanga (central wall). This is rest on the than (post) which may be
single or double according to the building volume.
Figure 22: Orderly placement of vertical members supporting the floor
3.2.3 Musin (Rafter)
Musin (rafter) is a structural member which
holds the weight of kolapu (wooden peices-
planking), cha and polan apa (roofing tile).
This is an inclined member called rafter, is
rest on the thayma, a ridge beam. the size
and spacing of musin (rafter) are different
in different dwellings. The musin (rafter)
had been provided earlier on this building
but most of them were already removed
during our study period. Figure 23: Musin placed
at regular interval
Nila
Pagadi
Tham

25. 3.2.4 Thayma (Ridge beam)
Thayma (ridge beam), a traditional ridge beam also called as baiga nila, is the main
beam to hold the whole weight of the roof. This thayma*ridge beam is specially
designed. As the two way slope roof had been replaced by one way CGI sheets
ridge beam was removed later in this building.
3.2.5 Opening and member ties
Most of the traditional Newar dwellings have double frame in openings, Lukha and
Jhya. The external is called as pichuthan and inner is called as duchuthan. These
two thans (post) are fashioned by the timber member called tan (interlocking
member), at four places. These tangs are again joined by means of chuku (pegs) or
sa (joints). In this house, the system of joining Jhya (window) and lukha (door) are
similar in case of older ones. There are different types of joints (sa) used in
assembling the members and they are as Thapu (upper plate), Chuku (wedge),
Kopu (lower plate), Chuku Sa: (Tabling or Scrift joint) and other kinds of joints as
dog matting joint, dove tail joint and bearing joints. But new doors and windows in
this building are being assembled by holdfast and nails.
Figure 24: Tang on window Figure 25: Inner view of the window
Tang
Duchhu
than

26. 3.2.6 Foundation design (Jaga)
Foundation (jaga) is the critical part of all buildings. The whole structure of the
building stands on it. This is an important part of dwelling which need great care
and maintenance. But here in the observation most of the buildings at foundation
level are damaged due to dampness and resulting into decay.
It is difficult to predict the depth of foundation (jaga) in this building. According to
the care taker, it is conformed that building stands on the high depth foundation;
Normally it is 1m to 2m in depth and width of the foundation (jaga) is 60cm. The
wall below the plinth level is massive, constructed with burnt brick, mud as mortar
and stone. Some about 70cm thick lohan aanga (stone wall) is provided and then
burnt brick wall on it is constructed. This is constructed up to the plinth level. Here
in Newar dwelling, there are no damp proofing materials, but for prevention from
damp, they provide a layer of stone.
Figure 26: Typical foundation detail Figure 27: Plinth depth at the main street

27. Chapter 4.Summary of the case study
4.1 Staircase (Swona)
Staircase is the primary element in multi-storeyed building. It is the vertical means
of connecting the floors. Different types of staircase are found in Kathmandu
valley with different styles.Most frequently used are steep and narrow flights of
steps with seven to nine steps. The height of the storey rarely exceeds 2.10 m to
2.20 m. In this building, the minimum height of the floor found is 1.70 m and the
maximum is 2.
Mostly the staircase in the building is placed nearby the main door orienting either
north or east or west direction (mu:lakha). no staircase (swona) is oriented to south
direction because of the religious aspects and belief. The staircase is oriented only
when a person is dead and his or her healthy soul has to remain in peace.
The staircase is either rest towards central wall (dhatu aanga) of the either sides of
facade wall i.e. external wall (pithu aanga). and also staircase are always placed
and positioned parallel to the dhalin (joist). A dhalin is shorten and placed
perpendicular to the other main dhalin (joist) which is the resting points of
staircase (swona). This is known as half joist (betwadhalin) more or less similarly
to primary dhalin (joist) size. This betwadhalin or half joist is placed to create a
void (space). The deisgn , style and matreial use here is same as mentioned above.
Figure 28: Staircase on first and second floor

28. Figure 29: Typical traditional staircase
4.2 Partition wall (Bhikha)
Partition wall (bhikha) is another sub structural element in the Newar house.
Generally the spaces and the functions in the residential dwellings are separated by
(a thin brick partition wall) or the other light structural materials like bamboo
(paanh) or wooden planks (sipu).
Nowadays a thin plywood (veneer) and CGI-partition has been adopted. These are
easy mode of partition which are easily available in the market, but the traditional
method of construction of partition (bhikha) is rather much difficult and quite

29. interesting too. Different types of partition has been found here and some of them
are:
a. Wooden partition (sipu bhikha)
b. Ply wood partition
c. Aanga (brick partition)
Figure 30: Wooden partition on the first and second floor
4.3 Wooden partition (Sipu bhikha)
This type of partition (bhikha) is generally
design by carpenter.During the
construction of the sipu-bhikha (wooden
partition), well measurement of inner
dimensions has to be taken. The main
frames, sipu maa thancha, are grooved so
as to pile up other wooden plank (sipu) as
desirable size. This works totally depends
upon the carpenter.
Most often the wooden partition (sipu bhikha) is punctured , which as door
(khapa), sliding door (ghringi khapa) or feast hole (bhya po). The style or sipu
(wooden plank) is designed according to the placement of sipu maa thancha.
Figure 31: Sipu bhikha and ghringi khapa
second floor

30. 4.4 Bhikha, aanga (Brick partition)
Awa and Dakarmi are the specialist for the construction of wall (aanga) that is
centre wall (dathu aanga), pithu aanga (external wall) and bhikha aanga (partition
wall). The only different in bhikha aanga, brick partiton wall is the construction of
thin wall to separate and generate interior space. Generally the brick partition walls
are constructed with kachi apa, but during the supervision of works, most of the
bhika aangas are constructed with sija apa (burnt brick) and ma apa (burnt brick).
This is due to easily available of materials.Here, brick wall partition has been done
on ground floor and first floor only.
Figure 32: Floor detail
The vertical division of space is generally defined by floor. (newari term-ba).
The floor is another important part of the Newar dwelling.
The floor are mainly two types:
one is internal floor and other is external floor. Among the inernal floor, the
common floor are
a. Dhalin + kolapu + cha + siyucha
b. Dhalin + kolapu + cha + chikanapa
c. Dhalin +dhalin + kolapu + cha + chikanapa
d. Dhalin + dhalin +cha + chikanapa
e. Dhalin + sija ata + cha + siyucha
Among the external floor (ba) are
a. Dhalin + kolapu + kausi paancha + chikanapa
b. Dhalin + sija ata + kausi paancha + chikanapa

31. While talking about the internal floor, list number a and b are very common floor
(ba). The only different one among them is c. The type a floor has been observed
on first floor and third floor while a layer of brick soling with thick floor has been
observed on second floor. Since, major modifications has been done on the ground
floor along with cement punning on the floor area.
The external floor is mainly paved on flat
terrace (kausi). The kausi ba: is specially
constructed. The kausi is a place for sun
bath and drying a grains and vegetables.
This space is a multi-functional where
every member enjoys. This kausi is
constructed as similar to internal floor:,
the major difference is only in the
placement of kausi paancha in place of
normal cha.
Figure 33: Terrace area with cement punning
The kausi paancha is a water tightening material which acts as damp proofing
material. Method of construction of the external floor are mainly two types these
are listed above. While in this studied building cement punning had been done on
the kaushi which we observed during the first visit.
4.5 Central wall in the second floor
Most of dwelling does not have
central wall (dhathu aanga) in the
second floor (chota). The second floor
level is a wide open space which is
true from literature and the existing
visualization, but here we small part
of central wall was there which had
been already removed during our
study period however, remains of the
wall can be seen on the post. Figure 34: Second floor without central wall
Cement as
new material
Remains
of the wall

32. Chapter 5. Interior views
Fig: Centrally Placed Wooden post
Fig: Horizontal and vertical members
supporting the structure
Fig: Flooring of the first floor
Fig: Wooden Partition

33. Chapter 5. Conclusion
This research work is a documentation of the traditional Newar residential
dwelling which has its own importance and the different architecture found here in
Kathmandu Valley. This studied dwelling was built in a time sequence from 1990
onwards.
Though many research studies of the dwelling constructed between the periods
from 17th C to 20th C and analyze them in a time sequence is most
necessary.During the study we came across different materials and construction
technology used in the typical traditional dwelling and the changes like use of
modern materials and techniques that occured in sequence of time.
The Newar dwellings are easy to construct, as all the construction materials like
brick, mud, timber or the product of mud are easily available within the
surrounding environment. These materials are emotionally attached and provide
comfort.The traditional buildings are well assembled and show harmonized
combination of the materials.
Different structure assembling techniques had been observed during the
study,which are not found in existing literature on Newar building construction. In
addition, it has brought a considerable extent of terminologies and this is important
because each terminology is a meaningful invention of our past tradition on
different architecture of the Kathmandu Valley.

34. Reference
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