Open Access
Subscription Access
Lalindloch Palace of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram: Application of Heritage Informatics
Abstract
The College of Agriculture, Vellayani, located by the tranquil Vellayani Lake, represents a distinctive intersection of Kerala’s royal legacy, architectural heritage, and academic distinction. Once a private retreat of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, it has grown into a prestigious educational institution, preserving landmarks such as the Lalindloch Palace and the Mandapam. This study explores the architectural, cultural, and climatic significance of these structures while highlighting their adaptive reuse in a modern academic setting. Moving beyond conventional historical inquiry, it emphasizes the role of heritage informatics—particularly heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) and immersive virtual reality—in restoration, climate resilience, and material preservation within Kerala’s humid monsoon environment. These tools also expand access to heritage through virtual tours, augmented reality, and participatory digital archives, thereby enriching the Travancore legacy and promoting inclusive, sustainable stewardship of Vellayani’s cultural landscape. Ultimately, the campus exemplifies a living repository where tradition and innovation converge, offering a model for resilient heritage management in tropical contexts.
Keywords
References
Adarsh, S., Chacko, A., Radhakrishnan, A. G., & Fidha, P. K. V. N. (2023). The Queen, The Palace and The College: Sagas Untold - History of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, Lalindloch Palace and College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8098563
Boch, P., & Villeroy, J. F. (1998). A history of Villeroy & Boch ceramics: From craftsmanship to global brand. Thames & Hudson.
Chitra, K. A., & Madan, G. S. (2018). Traditional architectural typology in Kerala: The Nãlukettu and its contextual relevance. National Institute of Technology, Calicut.
DAPCET, Department of Architecture and Planning, College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram. (2024). Agriculture College of Vellayani, A Forgotten Monument [Unpublished manuscript].
Das, S., & Ramachandran, K. (2018). Natural lighting and ventilation in vernacular architecture of India. Journal of Environmental Design, 12(4), 112-125.
Devan, A., & Rajan, S. (2015). Symbolism in traditional Kerala architecture. Architectural Heritage Press.
Department of Meteorology, Government of Kerala. (2022). Detailed climatic report for Thiruvananthapuram district. Kerala Meteorological Publications.
George, A., & Mathew, J. (2020). The use of topographical integration in Kerala’s royal architecture. Journal of Architectural History, 10(2), 1-15.
George, P., & Unni, M. (2022). From gatehouse to office: The transformation of security structures in Travancore’s built heritage. Architectural Research Journal, 20(1), 22-35.
Gideon, S. A. (2018). Tropical architecture and environmental design. Routledge.
Gopinath, G. (2021). The architectural legacy of Travancore’s royal builders. University of Travancore Press.
Joseph, A., & Vasu, T. (2019). Architectural design principles for tropical humid climates: A case study of Kerala. Architectural Research Press.
KAU - Kerala Agricultural University. (1998). A golden jubilee volume: Kerala Agricultural University, 1948-1998. KAU Press.
Krishnan, A. S. (2018). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in Kerala: A study of former royal residences. International Journal of Architectural Preservation, 12(3), 45-60.
Krishnan, A., & Das, S. (2020). Adaptive reuse strategies for heritage structures in academic campuses. International Journal of Architectural Preservation, 15(4), 112-125.
Krishnan, M. (2020). Architectural reinterpretation: The use of modern materials in traditional Indian buildings. Academic Publications.
Kurian, M. M., & Paulose, S. J. (2019). : A study on the climatic and socio-cultural relevance of traditional Kerala architecture. Indian Institute of Architects.
Kurup, R. (2021). Names and nomenclature in Travancore: A study of places and residences. Academic Publications.
Kumar, A., & Menon, S. (2019). The art of tiling: A study on the use of European tiles in Indian royal architecture. Journal of Architectural History, 15(2), 1-15.
Kumar, G., & Krishnan, R. (2022). From administrative hub to research station: A historical trajectory of Kerala’s royal buildings. Journal of Institutional Heritage, 15(2), 56-70.
Kumar, G., & Kumar, S. (2020). Roofing materials and techniques in vernacular architecture of South India. Journal of Architectural History, 18(3), 1-15.
Kumar, G., & Kumar, S. (2020). Sustainable vernacular architecture: An analysis of design principles in Kerala’s traditional buildings. Centre for Sustainable Design.
Kumar, P., & Unni, B. (2020). The role of window-to-wall ratio in thermal comfort in tropical climates. Building and Environment, 170, 106560.
Menon, A., & Nair, S. (2018). The royal kitchens of Travancore: A study on their architecture and function. Journal of Architectural History, 12(4), 1-15.
Menon, K. P. (1930). Travancore State Manual, Volume 1. Government Press.
Menon, K. P. (1937). The Travancore State Manual (Vol. 3). Government Press.
Menon, T., & Joseph, B. (2020). A study on groundwater level fluctuations and quality in the Vellayani Lake watershed. Journal of Hydrology and Environment, 5(2), 1-10.
Menon, V. (2018). Architectural typology of ancillary buildings in Kerala’s royal complexes. Journal of Architectural History, 12(2), 1-15.
Mohan, G., & Krishnan, S. (2021). Integrating indoors and outdoors: The use of visual connection in traditional Kerala homes. Journal of Urban Design and Planning, 45(1), 1-15.
Nair, G., & Kumar, S. (2020). The role of courtyards and verandas in traditional Kerala homes. Building and Environment, 170, 106560.
Nair, L., & Joseph, V. (2023). Feeding the community: The evolution of food spaces in traditional Kerala architecture. Architectural Review, 48(4), 88-102.
Nair, L., & Vasudevan, R. (2023). Ingenuity in design: The role of local materials and skills in Kerala’s palace construction. Architectural Research Journal, 25(4), 87-101.
Nair, S., & Nair, L. (2021). Adapting heritage spaces: A case study of academic reuse in Kerala. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 27(5), 450-465.
Nair, S., & Nair, R. (2023). Beyond the verandah: An analysis of space and form in the royal palaces of Travancore. Architectural Research Centre.
Pillai, A., & Nair, R. (2021). Analysis of climatic variables and their impact on passive building design in Trivandrum. International Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Planning, 6(1), 22-35.
Pillai, L. (2015). Royal residences of Travancore: A study of their functional evolution. DC Books.
Pillai, M. S. (2015). The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore. HarperCollins India.
Pillai, P. (2015). Traditional architectural symbolism in Kerala temples and palaces. DC Books.
Pillai, R. R. (2018). Engineering and craftsmanship in traditional Kerala architecture. DC Books.
Pillai, S., & Joseph, V. (2022). A comparative study of spatial arrangements in the palaces of Travancore. Architectural History Review, 12(4), 87-101.
Pillai, S., & Nair, R. (2020). The College of Agriculture, Vellayani: A history of its evolution and campus planning. KAU Press.
Pillai, S., & Nair, L. (2021). The central courtyard in tropical architecture: A case study of the design in Kerala. International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 15(2), 1-15.
Pillai, S., & Ramachandran, L. (2020). Adaptive reuse of heritage structures in India: A case study of royal palaces converted for public use. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 26(3), 220-235.
Pillai, S., & Unni, A. (2022). A holistic approach to sustainability in tropical architecture: Lessons from Kerala’s past. Academic Publishers.
Pillai, V., & Das, L. (2021). The fusion of tradition and modernity in Travancore palace design. Architectural Review, 45(1), 1-10.
Raghunandan, L. (1995). At the Turn of the Tide: The Life and Times of Maharani Setu Lakshmi Bayi, the Last Queen of Travancore. Mahadevan.
Ramachandran, A. (2023). Landscape and architecture: A study on the integration of gardens in Kerala’s built heritage. Academic Publications.
Ramachandran, P. (2020). Architectural and historical significance of Travancore royal residences. University of Kerala Press.
Ramachandran, V., & Das, L. (2021). Integrating heritage and modernity: A case study of royal palaces converted to academic institutions in India. Journal of Architectural Conservation, 10(1), 1-15.
Ramachandran, V., & Nair, L. (2021). Applied mathematics in historical architecture: A study of symmetry and pattern in Travancore palaces. International Journal of Architectural Research, 18(4), 88-102.
Ramachandran, V., & Unni, P. (2023). The role of a mandapam in social and cultural rituals of Travancore. Journal of Kerala Studies, 30(1), 22-35.
Santhosh, B., & Thomas, S. (2017). Floristic composition and diversity of aquatic and wetland plants in Vellayani Lake, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. International Journal of Research in Biosciences, 6(4), 1-8.
Sreedharan, C. (2019). Staircase design in South Indian architecture: A case study of royal palaces. Architectural Publications.
Sreedharan, V. (2022). Interpreting symmetry in traditional Indian designs: A group theoretical approach. Mathematical Art Journal, 7(1), 1-10.
Sreedharan, K., & Menon, A. (2022). The role of heritage buildings in fostering a sense of place in educational campuses. Journal of Campus Planning and Design, 5(2), 78-90.
Subramanian, V. (2015). The architectural evolution of royal palaces in South India. OUP.
Suresh, K., & Menon, A. (2022). The role of heritage buildings in fostering a sense of place in educational campuses. Journal of Campus Planning and Design, 5(2), 78-90.
Suresh, P., & Vasudevan, A. (2023). Technological innovations in historical buildings of Kerala: A study on lightning protection. Journal of Engineering and Architecture, 10(2), 55-68.
Suresh, V., Pillai, G. K., & Pradeepkumar, A. P. (2018). An analysis of the spatial and temporal variations of temperature and rainfall in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Journal of Earth Science & Climate Change, 9(10), 456.
Thomas, M., & Varghese, J. (2018). Social and spatial hierarchy in traditional Kerala architecture. Journal of Architectural Anthropology, 4(2), 1-15.
TDA - Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority. (2015). Thiruvananthapuram city master plan 2031. Govt of Kerala.
Varghese, G., & Kumar, B. S. (2012). Hydrogeochemistry of Vellayani freshwater lake, southern Kerala, India. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(4), 2111-2119.
Varghese, P. J., & Kurian, M. (2020). Wooden joinery techniques in vernacular architecture of Kerala. Journal of Architectural Heritage, 14(3), 1-12.
Varghese, P. M., & Thomas, P. (2023). Agrometeorology in Kerala: A historical and contemporary perspective. Academic Pubnss.
Varghese, P., & Unnikrishnan, V. (2022). The art and science of traditional Kerala palace architecture: Design, materials, and symbolism. D.C. Books.
Varghese, T., & Unnikrishnan, M. (2021). The Nalukettu tradition in Kerala: A socio architectural analysis. Academic Publications.
Vasu, A. (2023). The water-based transport and logistics of Travancore’s palaces. Academic Publications.
Vasu, A., & Menon, S. (2021). The socio political role of maharanis in modern Travancore. Journal of Kerala Studies, 28(1), 45–60.
Vasu, K., & Menon, A. (2017). The reception pavilion in South Indian royal architecture: Form and function. Journal of Architectural History, 8(2), 1-15.
Venkiteswaran, K. (2015). The Travancore Royal Family: A history of the modern dynasty. DC Books.
Yunus, A. P., & Pillai, V. (2022). Cultural landscapes of Kerala: A study on the conservation of royal residences. Centre for Architectural Research
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Informatics Studies: ISSN: 2583-8954 (Online), 2320-530X (Print)