The diversified vernacular architecture in rural Bangladesh is the result of a constant and gradual attempt to maintain sustainability and cultural identity by using knowledge of the local environment. However, factors like natural resource scarcity and economic viability of modern construction techniques is evidently causing a rapid change in the rural landscape. A physical and questionnaire survey carried out in the area under study, namely the village Kaligram in Manda upazilla, Naogaon, revealed that, nearly sixty-percent of houses built within the last decade is concrete and brick made with little or no regards to any traditional vernacular features. Investigation of various parameters such as, mud house construction techniques, availability and preference of building materials, socio- economic changes, has revealed that the loss of precious fertile top soil, high maintenance of mud structures added with the availability and affordability of more durable materials, are some of the prime reasoning behind revising the options to brick construction. This research aims to assess the factors causing this gradual shift in the indigenous practices of mud house in the area under study and further extends onto a discussion of an alternate design approach that will exemplify a more durable, low maintenance, energy efficient yet economic building technology while acknowledging the strengths of the contextual indigenous architectural practices under debate.

PurposeThis study aims at understanding the reasons causing the decline in the practice of traditional, regional architectural methods of creating house forms in the Khasia Punji at Jaflong, Sylhet area.Design/methodology/approachTwo main types of traditional and modern house forms were identified and studied in order to document and analyze the aspects of changes in the construction method and material uses, while the interviews together with observational, qualitative and descriptive study formed an insight into the changing socio-cultural dynamics and evolving lifestyle of the tribe. Apart from physical surveys, the primary data on settlement patterns over twenty years' time were reviewed through satellite imaging while the characteristics of local house forms were also collected from tourist photographs through time recorded in Google database.FindingsThe findings of this research have pointed out that in the case of the Khasi tribe, the shift in temporal context, accompanied by a shift in technological, socio-cultural and economic aspects, is fueling the transformation in the formal expression, material and methods of the house building.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations were posed in setting up more constructive and informative interview sessions with the Khasi people due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation which limited the survey outcomes in general.Practical implicationsThe scope of this study is to understand the changes and advances in socio-cultural, technological aspects of a society and their impact on the intricate patterns of life and customs that are evidently reflected in the transformation of built environments.Originality/valueThis research attempts to understand the causes behind the transformation of vernacular house forms, taking place in the Khasi village of Jaflong, Sylhet.