• Traditional architecture in India across regions offers a rich repository for climate responsive sustainable solutions that are rooted in cultural traditions. Understanding their principles & interpreting them into modern day design can lead to a higher degree of environmental harmony.
• This photo feature covers POL Houses of Gujarat, Havelis of Rajasthan, homes of Kerala's Nalukettu/ Coastal West Bengal and northeastern states. 

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges that we face today and a matter of concern that has caused long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. In the present-day scenario, contemporary architecture presents a number of issues in adapting to the emerging crisis of climate change.

The use of materials like steel, cement-concrete, and plaster of Paris, which have high thermal conductivity and thermal mass, has also helped raise the building's temperature.

India, with its diverse geography and expanse, stands testimony to a plethora of traditional construction techniques that have adapted themselves to the various climatic conditions of the country. Use of passive cooling mechanisms and locally available materials in order to create comfortable living conditions without indulging in modern-day mechanisms. 

There are many examples of traditional architecture around the country that use materials and designs which help its residents deal with hot and cold weather.

In this article we cover POL Houses of Gujarat, Havelis of Rajasthan, Kerala's Nalukettu homes and Coastal West Bengal. Where possible a comparison with current homes is given. Based on editor’s travels are pictures of traditional homes in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Kutch and Marwar in Rajasthan. 

1. Gujarati POL houses

They are located in Ahmedabad and are part of the old city that lies within the boundaries of UNESCO World Heritage. They are renowned for their design features, which are tailored to the hot and dry climate of the region for both urban and rural dwellings.

The dense row house settlement consists of narrow streets that minimise direct sunlight exposure, reduce heat gain, and hence keep streets and interiors cooler. The individual dwellings were constructed with thick walls, especially on the lower floors; materials made of large bricks with lime surkhi and mud-cow dung mixture as binding materials; and the structural systems were mainly of timber with stone column bases.

These materials have a higher thermal mass, which helps maintain a constant indoor temperature. The houses also consisted of a central courtyard, or chowk, that acted as a vent shaft for hot air to escape. These dwellings also consist of balconies and projections, which act as a buffer against direct sunlight.

In today's scenario, a mix of materials in structures such as steel and cement in construction and the decay of timber members; installation of air conditioning units has become a requirement in urban homes. 

Pol Houses of Ahmedabad. Credit Author 

Interior of a Pol House: The Chowk. Credit: Architecture in Development.

Pol Houses of Ahmedabad. Credit by Author.

Pol Houses of Ahmedabad: A balcony. Credit: Architecture in Development

Credits - Pic 2 Source Link  Pic 4 Source Link

2. The HAVELIS of Rajasthan are palatial and heavily ornate mansions 

Havelis of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer. Source: Indian Travel.

Highly Ornate facade of a Haveli in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 

They stand today as a reflection of the opulence of the region's merchants and designers, as well as an example of clever architectural responses to the region's climatic conditions. 

Havelis of Rajasthan. Source: Naina Co

Credits for two above pics are Source Link and Source Link 

The Havelis are distinguished by features like jallis and jharokhas, or corbelled balconies that allow for proper ventilation. They often follow a square layout with the entrances facing north or east directions, with a single or double courtyard. The materials commonly used in its construction are bricks, stone, marble, wood, and granite.

Jharokha in a Haveli.

The layout of the Havelis, where an internal courtyard is situated amongst high building masses, helps induce ventilation and a reduction in temperature through convective cooling and natural lighting.

Rajasthan's modern architecture is influenced by traditional features. Screens, thoughtfully placed perforations in shear walls, blended building techniques and other features guarantee that the homes are relevant and adaptable enough to respond to changing social as well as architectural trends.

In Bikaner found that homes had a basement. It is an area where the family would spend most of their time during the hot summer months. In the north earlier homes had not Curtains but a Chattai – brown in colour to keep the sun away. 

Jharoka and Jhalli filled facade of a Jaisalmer haveli. 

Jharokhas overlooking a courtyard in Jaisalmer haveli. 

Jhalli and Ornamentation in a Jharokha in Jaisalmer haveli.

Jhalli and Ornate Fenestration in Jaisalmer haveli.

Intricate façade detail in Jaisalmer haveli. 

3. Kerala's Nalukettu homes 

They are designed to be sustainable and are founded on the ideas of Vaastu Shastra, the ancient Indian architectural system, and Thachu Shastra, the science of carpentry.  These traditional homes include an I-shaped, rectangular building mass with a single courtyard, or nadumuttom in the case of a nalukettu, that serves as a vent for hot air to escape, providing simple ventilation.

The region's traditional roofing system is made of wooden rafters covered in Mangalore tiles that are set over wooden ceilings. The enclosed attic space enhances the efficiency of the roof up to three times by acting as insulation on its own.

There are more openings in the courtyard and fewer outside, which allows for better air circulation and minimises radiation exposure. Roof pitches are 45 degrees, and gables are added to the ends of the roof to improve ventilation and let heated air escape. The porous laterite walls aid in the building's cooling process with their thickness, which keeps radiation from passing through ; additional insulation is provided by the clay plastering. The external verandah and courtyard also protect the building from rain and sun. 

Contemporary houses in Kerala have developed to incorporate features of modern architecture with traditional design concepts. More locally sourced materials, such as clay tiles and laterite, are increasingly being used in designs, that take a more minimalistic approach while maintaining traditional elements like courtyards and sloping roofs.

Nalukettu House:Nadumuttom. Credits: Kerala Tourism.

Nalukettu House. Credits: Muziris Heritage Project.

Nalukettu House-Verandah. Credits: Pepper Trail.

Nalukettu House-Roofing in Mangalore Tiles. Source: Pepper Trail.

Credit for pictures are Source Link , Source Link , Source Link and Source Link

The building techniques used in the coastal West Bengal homes are based on locally accessible materials and craftsmanship that has been passed down through the generations.  Entrance rooms, common verandahs and tiny rooms for livestock are situated around courtyards in typical coastal Bengali homes.

One of the main components created to be climate responsive is the curved roof, also referred to as the Bangla roof.

There are two techniques to create the roofs: the Kadi Barga roof, which uses timber beams and rafter, and the thatch roof with Attu (mud ceiling and timber rafter).To provide protection against the wind thrust, the roofs are thatched and steep. The projection of the roof is beyond the walls in order to provide additional shelter from rain direct solar radiation. Materials used are often locally available twigs, leaves; walls of mud and stone and lime wash.

Coastal Homes of West Bengal. 

Coastal Homes of West Bengal. Credit Telegraphindia.com 

Credit for pictures, Link 1 and Link 2

Traditional architecture in India across regions offers a rich repository for climate responsive sustainable solutions that are rooted in cultural traditions. Understanding the principles of such architecture and interpreting them into modern day design can lead to a higher degree of environmental harmony and a better living environment. Traditional architecture encapsulates wisdom that can result in more durable, conscious, and timeless living spaces.

Also read

1. Album Shrujan Kutch – their Learning and Designed Centre is designed to keep the building cool. See pics 2 to 7

2. Traditional Homes Bhungas (mud homes with thatched roofs) in Kutch keep home cool. Cow dung on wall helps resists cold in the winters   

3. Album of Courtyard in a typical house in Chettinad, Tamil Nadu. Pic 26

4. Album of Home near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Remains cools in summers and warm in winters 

5. Influence of Ancient Indian Architecture

6. Traditional Building techniques in Indian Architecture  

7. 8 ancient Indian building techniques we must bring back

Editors Notes – based on travels here are some pictures of traditional home design.

 Courtyard in a 19th century built Chettinad home (Tamil Nadu). 2016.

Homes at village outside Jodhpur. Room is warm during winters and cool during summers. 2013.

A traditional Kutchi home in circular shape.  

Ceiling of home in Kutch, Gujarat. Jodhpur home had similar ceiling. 2018.

A traditional home of one of the tribes near Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh. It has a tin top, home at a height. 

Inside traditional home. 2013.

Traditional home inside a village near Along in Arunachal. Home at a height. 2013.

On drive from Unakoti to Agartala, Tripura saw this traditional home. Has a tin sheet. 2014

Traditional cottages, again at a height, in the island town of Majuli, Assam. 2017.

Traditional home of Angam tribe, Kohima, Nagaland. Different tribe homes were displayed at Hornbill Festival 2014.