Materials and Construction - I: Stereotomic Construction Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts of stereotomic and tectonic systems, historical brick masonry, industrialization by the Basel Mission, and key architectural case studies.

Stereotomy

Derived from Greek 'Stereos' (solid) and 'Tome' (cut), it is the science and art of cutting and assembling solid materials into structural configurations relying on geometry, mass, weight, and gravitational compression.

Tectonics

Derived from Greek 'Tekton' (builder/carpenter), it is the artistic and structural expression of construction centered on the additive assembly and articulated jointing of distinct structural components.

Kailasa Temple, Ellora

The ultimate paradigm of rock-cut stereotomic architecture in medieval India, sculpted top-down out of a single living basalt hillside as a continuous monolithic rock mass.

Indian Temple Mandapa Systems

Stone pillared post-and-beam halls that represent a tectonic system, replicating carpentry-based timber frame logic with individual jointed stone pillars, capitals, beams, and roofing slabs.

Mohenjo-daro Brick Standardization

An early historical standardization of burnt clay bricks produced in systematic dimensions such as $28 \times 3 \times 6\,\text{cm}$ and $25 \times 13 \times 6\,\text{cm}$.

Basel Evangelical Missionary Society

A joint religious and industrial enterprise active between 1831 and 1920 that introduced industrialized steam-powered clay preparation, mechanical extrusion presses, and heavy-duty kilns in Coastal Karnataka and Kerala.

Mangalore Tiles

Internationally renowned interlocking terracotta clay roof tiles invented by the Basel Mission, creating fireproof, waterproof, and ventilated roof assemblies.

Rosary Church, Shettihalli

An 1860s Gothic brick-and-mortar church built by French missionaries, renowned for its material durability while being seasonally submerged in reservoir waters.

St. Andrew's Church, Bengaluru

A landmark example of Gothic Revival architecture in Bengaluru, featuring bold red brickwork complemented by stark white plaster trims and intricate masonry arches.

Fort School, Bengaluru

A colonial-era educational building showcasing a synthesis of local brickwork and Western classical layouts, featuring brick masonry arches, structural columns, and arcaded corridors.

Devaraja Market, Mysore

A late 19th-century municipal market in Mysore featuring an elaborate brick masonry arched facade, structural piers, and colonnaded arcades.

Stereotomic Spatial Expression

Monolithic, carved-out voids creating cave-like and earth-bound spaces characterized by continuous volume, material density, and surface weight.

Tectonic Spatial Expression

Skeletal, transparent, connected, and lightweight structural forms defined by skeletal frames, articulated joints, and parts assembly.