Traditional architecture has been passed over centuries from ancient settlers in Assam. A beautiful mix of old and new, a traditional Assam house still holds true to its unique characteristics of simplicity, solidness, symmetry, and of course, being aesthetically pleasing. To ensure that this unique style is preserved, the house, or commonly known as shelah, is built atop pillars with a wooden foundation, high walls and sloped roofs; though some modern luxury renovations have been made within the structure. Speaking of which, the exterior of the traditional Assam house is made of a combination of local lime plaster walls, wooden carvings, and adornments inspired by nature. For its interior, the dominant color is usually plain white throughout the house, with geometric patterned floor that were so typical of the efficient olden designs. Luckily, some traditional Assam house designs remain and still add the same charm they had centuries ago.Assam Traditional House Designs
With the ever-growing trend of downsizing, small house culture is making its way in Assam too. Additionally, many Assam small house designs have been made in such a way that they are energy-efficient and cost-effective. These small yet vibrant homes are usually made up of having one or two bedroom setting and a small family area combined with a kitchen and a dining area. Despite having small dimensions, the houses are simple and no-fuss. Furthermore, the decor is kept minimalist with only basic necessities being incorporated, and a few DIY decorations to liven up the space. Assam small house designs also comes with lighter wood paneling and subtle colors for the walls, so as to make it as bright and airy as possible.Assam Small House Designs
A popular pick among many, country house style is a perfect combination of modern and traditional designs. Utilizing the best of both, the Assam country house designs is what many residents are attracted to. To showcase its modernity, many elements, such as glass, metal, and concrete, are incorporated while maintaining the old style with thatched roofs, whitewashed external walls, and heavy wood doors. Inside, the walls are usually decorated in the sandstone of the local terrain, complete with large wooden counters and tables. Furthermore, decorations in the country house are all made from natural items taken from the surrounding, such as wicker baskets and old antique finds.Assam Country House Designs
Going hand-in-hand with country house designs, modern Assam house designs also bring the best of both worlds. Despite the modern elements being more dominant, modern Assam homes still retain the traditional architecture and local art. As for the construction, it remains unique by the way of maintaining natural elements of timber, bamboo, and dried leaves amidst classic elements of glass, steel, and marble; all of which are put together with precision and mindfulness. Inside the house, the interior design implements a mixture of modern and traditional items, such as antiques, embroidery, and brass knick-knacks. This combination creates a lively yet simply arranged space, complete with modern fixtures.Modern Assam House Designs
Keeping with the modern and traditional combination, Assam home interior designs are simply beautiful. It focuses on neutral colors, such as whites, beiges, and greys, and accents of vibrant grassy greens and blues to add more liveliness and character. It creates a warm and inviting atmosphere when blended together and has attributes of the traditional house designs, such as exposed wood beams and local frescoes. However, unlike traditional designs, modern elements are added like sophisticated furniture pieces, luxurious yet comfortable fabrics, and stylish carpets.Assam Home Interior Designs
As one of the most common and popular house designs in Assam, bungalows are known for their spacious interiors and larger than normal living space. Since these house designs are usually built on stilts, they come with a covered porch, giving it a classic outlook. Moreover, the interiors are usually a blend of modern and rustic styles where materials such as stone, wood, and fabrics are combined to complement each other. For the bedrooms, they are generally styled with white walls and flooring, while the living area has comfortable furniture pieces that fit the entire arrangement. As for the furniture pieces, they are usually raised on small platforms, giving it an almost tribal feeling.Assam Bungalow House Designs
Making it even to the list, colonial house designs in Assam are quite eye-catching. As for the structure, these designs are usually built with heavy roof sloping sides and wide front door to make it look grand. Colonial houses usually have one or two stories, and come with extra space for gardens and terraces. The interiors, inspired by British colonial era, are contemporary, yet antique-looking. One can expect decor with black wooden furniture, old-style curtains, and lanterns throughout the house. Additionally, wooden floors and painted walls complete the look.Assam Colonial House Designs
With outlines inspired by the architectural style of Queen Anne, Mrs. Sarah Windakhar, these Assam Queen Anne style house designs are mostly found in the Royal Maharshi District area. These home designs have many characteristics of the traditional style, but the sloped roofs and pointed gables are much more prominent in the Queen Anne design. Inside, a unique element is added with colorful stained glass windows that imitate natural geography. As for the furniture, vintage wooden furniture is usually added to the whole area, along with the presence of hand-painted antiques.Assam Queen Anne House Designs
These Assam house designs are based on the traditional architecture of the local area, known as the vernacular style. The biggest charm of these house designs is the use of natural elements, such as thatched roofs, river rock walls, and grassy courtyards, to create visuals that are sure to mesmerize anyone who enters the house. Furthermore, these buildings tend to have many different doors and windows to ensure there is plenty of light and air throughout the entire space. The interior of the house uses wooden furniture and locally-made items, such as bamboo mats, reed matting, and baskets; all of which further emphasizes its vernacular style.Vernacular Assam House Designs
Fusing together the modern with the traditional style, contemporary Assam house designs are quite the sight. Those who prefer the newest trends should look no further as these contemporary houses are often shaped with cubes, a large window frame, and high ceilings. Moreover, the interiors are very minimalistic, with only basic items to create the ultimate ambiance. As for the colors, neutral shades are used throughout the areas, such as off-whites, pastel pinks, and pale mint greens, giving it plenty of space to be spruced up in the future.Assam Contemporary House Designs
Terrace houses are another one of the popular Assam house designs that are quite bigger than the previous ones. Despite their higher price tag, terrace houses have sufficient space to build perfect outdoor areas and gardens. Furthermore, the terraces come with plenty of natural lights and air ventilation to match the needs of modern households. The interior of terrace housings usually consists of natural tones to match the surrounding environment, as well as grand wooden details and linings to elevate the overall design further. Terrace Assam House Designs
Inspiring Assam House Design
The traditional Assam House Design remain vastly popular in India for their blended simplicity and picturesque beauty. It was found that the Assam houses were inspired by the scripture of the Varaha Purana. Thus, the elements of Assam architecture speaks to the religious orientation of this cultural house design. The most common features found in the Assam House Design include a tall wall and a pyramidal roof.
The Various Components of an Assam House
The first element of an Assam House is the tall walls. These walls are typically made of brick, and usually reach a height of eight feet. The walls help to bridge the separateness between the house and the surrounding environment, increasing the sense of privacy and safety associated with the structure.
The second element of Assam House Design is the pyramidal roof. This kind of roof is seen in traditional Assam houses, and it typically has three sides. The roof is often made of bamboo and covered with thatch. It provides the perfect insulation to the interior of the house, ensuring a cooler temperature in the summers, and a warmer one in the winters.
The third and the most significant element is the use of local wood and bamboo. The frames of the house are typically made of cheap bamboo from the forests and local trees like Koko Bamboo, Nishan Bamboo, and Bhelu. These materials also add to its simplicity and rustic elegance. The Assam House Design thus creates a harmonious balance between its natural environment and the structure itself.