A POTENTIAL SUSTAINABLE (STONE) TOURIST DESTINATION, BANDEBAMBLI.

Indian village are by default sustainable because of their indigenous sustainable construction techniques and uses of building material. Sustainability in Indian settlements is a phenomenon which is shaped based on the living practices rather than an induced character to the built habitat. Bandebamli is one of such village in Karnataka which stands out due to its special architectural character. This paper will talk about the sustainable material and construction technologies used in the settlement. The basic material used for construction is visually appealing rustic stones available in plenty near to the village. The building is designed according to hot dry climate, prevailing that region. Social, economic, and artistic character of the settlement is evolved with a quality character. Explicit wooden joinery details in load bearing structure and exquisite wooden carvings symbolize the social and economic classes among the society are few unique features. Due to migration of people out of settlement for economic reasons, many of these unique houses are in stage of dilapidation and require urgent attention to save the rich traditional wisdom. There is a need to develop this settlement as a sustainable tourist destination.