January 17, 2025

Designing Homes for Heatwave Resilience: How to Stay Cool Without ACs in India

Learn how to design homes in India that stay naturally cool during heatwaves. Architects share tips for building energy-efficient, AC-free homes to beat soaring temperatures.

"It is unbearable," says Vinaya K, a Bengaluru resident, expressing how the unrelenting heat has disrupted her daily life. Although a brief rainfall provided some respite, the city continues to face a dry spell lasting over 150 days, with the intense heat showing no signs of easing.

The Indian Meteorological Department defines a heatwave as occurring when the maximum temperature in the plains reaches 40°C or higher, and 30°C or more in hilly regions.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of rising temperatures across several states in the coming weeks. According to a report by The Times of India, temperatures in parts of Odisha surged between 40 to 45°C earlier this week. Similar extreme heat has been recorded in Gangetic West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, southwestern Madhya Pradesh, and other regions.

Rising temperatures drive up the use of air conditioners and electricity as people seek relief from the heat. "Working from home becomes more difficult as temperatures begin to rise as early as 7 am. Living in apartments doesnt offer much opportunity to naturally cool the space," Vinaya adds.

Despite the challenges, architects and designers recommend several strategies, tailored to your location, to help keep your home naturally cool.

Harnessing Natural Cooling: Samira Rathods "Cool House" in Gujarat

Looking back at the homes built by our ancestors, the design elements like open spaces, inward-facing layouts with courtyards, and large windows were key in keeping the interiors naturally cool.

Samira Rathod, an architect and designer, applied traditional cooling techniques in her creation of the "Cool House" in Gujarat. She focused on utilizing wind, design elements, and cooling materials to naturally cool the home.

The architect recommends harnessing the wind by designing spaces that allow it to flow through the house, making the interiors cooler. For the Cool House, Rathod implemented a "track-like design" with rooms on either side and a central courtyard, enabling the wind to circulate and regulate the temperature.

Sustainable Design with Natural Materials: Shipra Singhania Eco-Friendly Home

Shipra Singhania, the principal designer of Sketch Design Studio, collaborated with her mother to design their home using eco-friendly materials like neem, jaggery, and methi. The house features a thatch roof, which helps maintain breathability and keeps the interiors cooler during the summer months.

She explains, "Its valuable to draw inspiration from our ancestors and their methods of managing indoor heat. One such technique is evaporative cooling, where you incorporate an indoor water feature, like a fountain, to reduce the temperature inside the house."

"Having a water body in the home can work wonders. It not only cools the air passing through but is particularly effective in regions with lower humidity, such as the northern parts of the country," she adds.

The Power of Trees in Sustainable Home Design

Trees have been humanity trusted companions throughout history, providing food, shade, and shelter. Architects strongly recommend incorporating trees around your home for their numerous benefits.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of having trees around your home. They provide shade, encourage wind flow, and help moderate the temperature. Plant as many trees as possible and integrate existing ones into the design. Trust me, they will be a lifesaver during the heat,” says George Ramapuran, founder of the sustainable design firm Eartitects.

With a focus on sustainability and nature conservation, George has designed numerous estates following these principles.

Echoing Georges sentiments, Shipra also highlights the significance of greenery in maintaining a cool home. “When constructing your home, consider planting region-specific trees near verandas and windows. This will ensure ample shade and improve wind circulation in those areas,” she adds.

Designing Homes for Natural Cooling: The Importance of Wind, Sun, and Thoughtful Planning

Understanding the direction of the wind and sun is crucial when constructing a home. “Planning is key in home construction. The western sun can be intense, while southern exposure brings in heat. It is essential to incorporate verandas on these sides to filter sunlight and reduce heat entering the home,” advises George.

Architects also recommend adding features like jaalis (lattice) and smaller openings beyond just windows and verandas, as suggested by Shipra. Samira agrees, emphasizing the value of jaali structures for improving airflow and natural light.

Shipra further suggests, “For the roof, consider a slanted design. While modern architecture may not favor it, slanted roofs are beneficial for homes—they provide additional shade, have an authentic look, and ensure the sun does not strike the entire roof at once.”

Choosing Natural Materials for a Cooler Home: Expert Insights

The three architects agree that using natural materials can significantly reduce indoor temperatures.

“Before starting construction, it is important to study the area thoroughly. Understanding the local environment allows you to select natural and traditional materials for your home. I always recommend Mangalore tiles to my clients. These tiles are durable and breathable, and a Mangalore-tiled roof is not concrete—it allows for cross ventilation, letting the house breathe,” explains George.

Incorporating materials like wood and stone instead of cement can also greatly benefit the homes cooling.

Shipra adds, “I strongly advocate for the use of traditional materials like mud, straw, and lime in construction. Mud acts as a natural coolant, and many people are opting for mud homes. Additionally, using lime on floors or walls can drastically reduce the temperature inside the house.”

Quick Fixes for Cooling Your Home: Expert Tips for Existing Homes

If you have an existing home that cannot be reconstructed, there are still several quick fixes that these architects recommend to help cool the space.

  1. Create a Terrace Garden: George suggests adding a small terrace garden to introduce more greenery and provide shade, which helps cool the home.
  2. Paint the Roof White: To reflect heat, consider painting your roof white. "This is quite effective, and I have done it in my own home too," shares George.
  3. Use Khus or Dried Grass Sheets: Shipra recommends placing Khus (a traditional Indian grass) or dried grass sheets, typically used in coolers, on your windows. When watered, they can cool the wind that passes through.
  4. Terracotta Coolers: You can also use terracotta coolers, which have been innovated to keep homes cooler and are more sustainable.
  5. Embrace Traditional Cooling Techniques: Ayesha Jhunjhunwala, architect and director of Conoor Estates, emphasizes that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. She advises exploring traditional methods for passive cooling, which are often overlooked in modern architecture. For example, in hot, dry climates like Rajasthan, placing inverted mud pots on the roof can significantly reduce the buildings temperature, especially when painted white to reflect sunlight.

Edited by Gayathri

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