Parametric design principles found in ancient Indian temple architecture- case examples of columns of Kalyani Chalukya period of Karnataka

Abstract

Traditional Indian temple architecture is often has a very high degree of complex geometry embedded in its construction. The predominantly stone construction done during the period of kalyani chalukya period exhibit a highly sophisticated form generative logic in its visibly complicated geometry from its micro to macro elements and even in overall form generation of its sikharas. The research investigates the possibilities of these parametric form generative principles embedded in the temple designs by comparing the 3D scanned models of the temples acquired from Laser scans, photogrammetric and infrared scanners with that of models generated using a computational methods in CAD environment from few parameters for similarity or anomalies in actual geometries with that of computed models through geometrical investigations of few selected examples of columns, sikharas, plinths and vimanas of temples