These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Given the scenario of climate change and unexpected weather patterns, adopting techniques that help a structure withstand bitter climatic conditions is becoming a crucial consideration while building a new home or refurbishing an existing one. Climate-responsive design practices not only let us avoid hassles in adverse hours, but can also help us save money on future repairs and renovations. Additionally, they could also help reduce the structure’s reliance on mechanical energy, making for a more sustainable, eco-conscious system.
It is good news that Indian designers are taking steps to tailor homes that are resilient and adaptive without compromising on aesthetics. Let us look at five such homes and snatch some inspiration from them.
It is good news that Indian designers are taking steps to tailor homes that are resilient and adaptive without compromising on aesthetics. Let us look at five such homes and snatch some inspiration from them.
Screens of thin timber verticals are a recurring passive design element in this home. They were installed on the compound wall, entrance canopy, windows and terrace lounge to not only aid privacy and ventilation but to limit the harsh glare and heat of the sun also.
Find an architect from among the Houzz professionals to design or remodel your home
Find an architect from among the Houzz professionals to design or remodel your home
The stairwell of this home is made to act as a sky courtyard that induces stack effect by eliminating the rising warmer indoor air. It makes way for fresh air coming in through the narrow windows at each level, thereby maintaining a natural air movement through the home.
Why & How Courtyards Work
Why & How Courtyards Work
The screened terrace lounge offers a cool and intimate spot to unwind comfortably right in the open, without having to worry about peering neighbours or piercing sun rays.
Take a full tour of this home and read more about it here
Take a full tour of this home and read more about it here
2. Location: Jaunapur, New Delhi
Architects and interior designers: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
Apart from organic farming and sustainable living, the architects aimed to achieve resilience in the design of this home by introducing architectural elements that induced cooling effects.
Architects and interior designers: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
Apart from organic farming and sustainable living, the architects aimed to achieve resilience in the design of this home by introducing architectural elements that induced cooling effects.
A courtyard-centric plan made sure the internal volumes remain sufficiently ventilated and naturally lit. Deep, shaded verandahs run along the courtyard and living spaces of the home to establish cross-ventilation and cool the breezes coming in from the courtyard.
Home Cooling Tips: 12 Ways to Shade Your Home From the Sun
Home Cooling Tips: 12 Ways to Shade Your Home From the Sun
Strategically placed, tactically shaded openings ensure capturing of air and light to allow the lofty and sprawling rooms to make best use of sun and wind and counter the harsh subtropical climate of New Delhi to a substantial degree.
3. Location: Malavli, Maharashtra
Designer: SPASM Design Architects
This second home was carefully crafted to stand strong against the heavy monsoons of the region.
The debris of the demolished pre-existing structure was retained to make an earth mound to create sheltered spaces. The partially underground rooms of the home stay cool in warmer seasons and effectively protected from the torrential rains.
4 Architecture Styles That Find Harmony With Nature
Designer: SPASM Design Architects
This second home was carefully crafted to stand strong against the heavy monsoons of the region.
The debris of the demolished pre-existing structure was retained to make an earth mound to create sheltered spaces. The partially underground rooms of the home stay cool in warmer seasons and effectively protected from the torrential rains.
4 Architecture Styles That Find Harmony With Nature
Daylight and air movement are established in the sheltered spaces by the strategic placement of courtyards. Additionally, the courtyards offer the much-needed openness and indoor-outdoor connection to the sunken zones.
Blue-grey Kota stone, a natural Indian stone, is predominantly used in the form of chips, strips, slabs and so on around the house. Its hard, non-porous and homogeneous make proves a solid resistance against severe humidity and rains.
How to Care for Your Stone Tiles
How to Care for Your Stone Tiles
Retaining maximum trees on the site, using it as it was, made the overall design eco-conscious apart from being climate-responsive.
Take a full tour of this home here
Take a full tour of this home here
4. Location: Vasad, Gujarat
Architectural and interior designer: JPLUSDARCHITECTS
This home’s climate-responsiveness is a result of the east-west axial orientation, reinforced by exposed brick exterior faces, shaded openings and plain white finishes.
6 Contemporary Indian Homes With Brick Facades
Architectural and interior designer: JPLUSDARCHITECTS
This home’s climate-responsiveness is a result of the east-west axial orientation, reinforced by exposed brick exterior faces, shaded openings and plain white finishes.
6 Contemporary Indian Homes With Brick Facades
The living area of the home opens out onto a shaded open courtyard that not only provides respite from the heat by producing a stack effect but also fills the interiors with diffused light.
While marble flooring and plain white surfaces keep the interiors cooler and visually light, shading treatments (like overhangs and perforated screens) on the openings help control the indoor temperature effectively.
You can take a complete tour of this home here
You can take a complete tour of this home here
5. Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Architectural designer: SPASM Design Architects
The design of this family home is an attempt to preserve the prevailing greenery while responding to the hot and dry climate of the locale.
Architectural designer: SPASM Design Architects
The design of this family home is an attempt to preserve the prevailing greenery while responding to the hot and dry climate of the locale.
Among the various strategies implemented to mitigate the brutal summer heat, courtyards and vegetation were pivotal. Courtyards were designed to let hot indoor air escape out of the home and direct fresh air inside, conditioned by the lush greenery.
Heat and glare from the sunlight is filtered out with the help of large vertical wooden pivoting louvred screens edging the courtyards.
However, on the upper levels, the designers installed perforated Corten jalis to protect the rooms from the strong sun.
6 Reasons to Bring Jalis Into Your Home
However, on the upper levels, the designers installed perforated Corten jalis to protect the rooms from the strong sun.
6 Reasons to Bring Jalis Into Your Home
Other than that, rammed earth walls were opted for to improve the thermal mass of the structure and maintain a steady and comfortable temperature inside at all times.
You can tour this home fully here
Read more:
Building Secrets to a Cool, Breezy Home for Hot Indian Summers
Protect the Exteriors of Your Home From Extreme Weather
Tell us:
Is your home climate-responsive? How? Share in Comments below.
You can tour this home fully here
Read more:
Building Secrets to a Cool, Breezy Home for Hot Indian Summers
Protect the Exteriors of Your Home From Extreme Weather
Tell us:
Is your home climate-responsive? How? Share in Comments below.
Architectural designer: SPASM Design Architects
The architects took into account the city’s tropical steppe climate and designed this home in an introverted fashion to let it be well-ventilated and well-lit throughout the year.