At the outset the scope and limitations of the present study is being delineated.

The scope of this research is to assess the relevance of continuity of traditional systems of design as linkages, for adaptation in contemporary design practices.

The scope is limited to study of traditional residential built forms and adaptation of identified linkages in the design of modern residential built forms and assessment of the effectiveness of such linkages in maintaining place adaptive qualities in a ‘post-traditional’ built form that is designed and constructed by the author of this thesis.

The information collected for the purpose of the study is through wide travel and photo documentation of traditional architecture in the area of study where many deviations from the traditional ways of designing and construction of houses are noticed. This documentation is included in the appendix.

The literature review encompasses study and inferences from available texts on traditional systems of design and opinions of experts and other researchers on relevance of continuity of traditional systems.

In modern times it is observed that there are many deviations from the traditional ways of designing and construction of houses by architects. But clients and users often demand compliance with traditional systems of design, more based on certain beliefs than the elements of design in the traditional systems. 

For the present research, the traditional architectural design systems of Kerala, a state of India in the southwestern region is taken into consideration, where the knowledge base for design and construction of traditional houses have survived along with large number of 100 to 400 years old  residential built forms.

Space, material and construction systems of these built forms are studied to identify physical design elements and space system based linkages that can be adapted to be applied in the design of residences in Kerala.  The linkages identified are used to design and construct a residence as ‘post-traditional’ model built form.

Due to limitations of time and other resources the impact of adaptation of traditional design linkages is being studied as a response survey with visitors, whereas comfort conditions achieved in the ‘post-traditional’ model built form is assessed by comparing data collected on variations in temperature, illumination and ventilation in the ‘post-traditional’ built form with that in one traditional and one modern built form.