As India faces rising temperatures and soaring AC electricity bills, our ancestors’ architectural brilliance offers sustainable cooling solutions. Long before air conditioners existed, traditional Indian homes stayed cool naturally—using smart design, local materials, and passive cooling techniques.
From Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal to Kerala’s courtyard houses, these methods are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and energy-efficient. Let’s explore how reviving these age-old practices can help modern buildings beat the heat.
5 Traditional Cooling Techniques & Their Science
1. Jaalis (Lattice Screens) – Natural Air Conditioning
- How it works:
- Perforated stone/mud screens allow cross-ventilation while blocking direct sunlight.
- Creates a Venturi effect, accelerating breeze flow indoors.
- Modern application:
- Laser-cut jaali facades in offices (e.g., Hyderabad’s ITC Green Centre).
- Reduces AC dependency by 30-40%.
2. Courtyards – The Ultimate Climate Regulator
- How it works:
- Central open space acts as a heat sink, absorbing daytime heat.
- Night-time stack effect pulls cool air into surrounding rooms.
- Modern twist:
- Bangalore’s “Courtyard House” by Biome Solutions uses this in urban villas.
3. Stepwells & Water Bodies – Evaporative Cooling
- How it works:
- Water evaporation lowers ambient temperature (e.g., Rani ki Vav, Gujarat).
- Today’s use:
- Infinity pools in resorts, water walls in malls.
4. Thatched Roofs & Mud Walls – Natural Insulation
- Why it works:
- Mud’s high thermal mass absorbs heat slowly.
- Thatch provides shade + breathability.
- Contemporary version:
- Auroville’s Earth Institute builds modern stabilized mud homes.
*5. Orientation & Shading – Sunlight Management
- Traditional rule:
- North-South alignment minimizes direct sun exposure.
- Chajjas (overhangs) block summer sun but allow winter warmth.
- Modern example:
- Infosys Pune campus uses deep verandahs inspired by Wadas.
Case Studies from India: Tradition in Action
1. The Piramal Museum, Mumbai
Inspired by Mughal and temple architecture.
Uses jaalis, thermal mass walls, and internal courtyards for passive cooling.
2. Karigar House, Delhi (Studio Lotus)
Lime plaster walls, shaded verandahs, and cross-ventilation techniques reduce mechanical cooling by 50%.
3. NIFT Bhopal Campus
Uses sunken courtyards, wind towers, and passive air channels—design inspired by Rajputana architecture.
4. Vruksha Home, Hyderabad
Mud walls, lime plasters, and water features helped maintain up to 6°C cooler interiors year-round.
5. Aranya Housing, Indore (by BV Doshi)
Community design based on orientation, narrow shaded lanes, and open spaces—an urban example of passive planning.
Ancient Indian Buildings Famous for Natural Cooling
1. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
Built in 1799.
953 small windows (jaalis) allowed continuous airflow even in peak summer.
The Venturi effect created a cooling breeze inside.
2. Rani ki Vav, Patan (Gujarat)
11th-century stepwell.
Built deep underground with water bodies that cooled the surrounding air through evaporation.
Temperature inside remains 6–8°C cooler than outside even today.
3. Golconda Fort, (Telangana)
13th-century fort.
Complex ventilation system: cool air was funneled through passageways and domes.
Acoustic cooling and thick stone walls provided thermal comfort.
4. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
18th-century astronomical observatory.
Though primarily built for astronomical studies, its design incorporates solar movement understanding for shading and orientation.
5. Chettinad Mansions, Tamil Nadu
18th–19th-century homes.
Featured large central courtyards, thick lime-plastered walls, and shaded verandahs.
Internal airflow designs kept homes pleasant even in 45°C summers.
6. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Built by Emperor Akbar (1571–1585).
Deep verandahs, stone jaalis, ponds, and smart building orientation reduced heat gain.
Used water bodies (like Anoop Talao) for evaporative cooling.
7. Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi
Ancient stepwell dating back to the Mahabharata era, rebuilt in the 14th century.
Deep well design keeps the lower areas extremely cool, offering refuge during harsh Delhi summers.
8. Thanjavur Temples, Tamil Nadu
Built in 11th century under Chola dynasty.
Massive stone structures with high thermal mass helped regulate indoor temperatures naturally.
9. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
Built in 1570.
Combines Persian and Indian styles.
Features large gardens (charbagh layout), water channels, and thick masonry walls for cooling.
10. City Palace, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
Built over 400 years ago.
Designed with wind towers, water features, courtyards, and ventilated corridors to beat the intense desert heat.
Why Aren’t More Builders Adopting These Methods?
Challenges
- Misconception: “Old = Outdated” (though IIM Bangalore uses jaalis successfully).
- Skill Gap: Few masons know lime plaster or traditional joinery.
- Space Constraints: Urban plots too small for courtyards.
Solutions
✔ Hybrid Designs (e.g., jaali-inspired concrete screens)
✔ Govt Incentives (GRIHA ratings for passive cooling)
✔ Workshops by INTACH & COA on vernacular architecture
5 Ways to Incorporate Tradition in Modern Homes
- Replace AC with a “Solar Chimney” (like in Chettinad mansions).
- Use Athangudi tiles (natural coolers) instead of vitrified tiles.
- Install green roofs (modern take on thatch).
- Opt for lime plaster over cement (3x better insulation).
- Add indoor water features (urulis or small fountains).
The Future: Blending Old & New
With 40% of India’s energy going into buildings, traditional cooling isn’t just nostalgic—it’s necessary. Startups like Thannal Handmade Homes are reviving these techniques, proving sustainability needn’t sacrifice comfort.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just relearn it.”
— Revathi Kamath, Sustainable Architect
Conclusion🎯
As temperatures rise and energy costs soar, India stands at a crossroads—rely on power-hungry ACs or return to our roots for sustainable cooling solutions. Traditional Indian architecture isn’t just a relic of the past; it’s a blueprint for an eco-friendly, cost-effective future.
From jaalis that breathe like living skins to courtyards that act as natural climate controllers, these time-tested techniques prove that comfort doesn’t require massive carbon footprints. Modern adaptations—like solar chimneys in IT parks and mud walls in luxury villas—show that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.
The challenge now lies in reviving forgotten skills, updating building codes, and changing mindsets. If architects, homeowners, and policymakers collaborate, we can create buildings that are:
✔ Cooler without AC
✔ Cheaper to maintain
✔ Kinder to the planet