In August 2024, I was working for the WWF-India in Chug, Arunachal Pradesh, when I met Gangtok-based architects Kailash Pradhan and Upendra Gurung. I was in Chug to document the intangible cultural heritage of the Mon people who live in the valley, while Pradhan and Gurung were there to help the community conserve their traditional indigenous ‘wahm’ houses. During the short time all of us were there, we spoke briefly about the climate-responsiveness of these wahm houses and why they should be preserved for posterity. What followed was a fascinating conversation that led me to think about India's indigenous climate-responsive architecture, architecture as a response to climate change, and why we should look to our past to design for our future.
The wahm houses are an outstanding example of the indigenous, climate-responsive architectural knowledge system of the Mon people. Made with hyperlocal materials like sedimentary rocks, adhesive clay, and wood, these houses respond to the specific climate of the region. In the summer, the thick stone and clay walls of the houses keep the indoors cool and comfortable, while in monsoon and winter, the same thick walls provide shelter from the frigid rains and winds. In many ways, they were, and are, more suitable to the weather and climate conditions of the Chug Valley than most modern houses.
The wahm houses are only one example of climate-responsive architecture in India. Before globalisation and urbanisation led to a standardized Western-style approach to building construction, indigenous architecture which responded to and solved for regional weather extremes was the norm in India. From earthen walls and shady verandas of the humid southern peninsula, and the thick insulating walls and lattice-work 'jaali' windows of the warm, arid northwestern deserts, here are five examples of climate-responsive architecture in India.
Adalaj Ki Vav, or 'the Adalaj stepwell' — also known as 'Rudabai stepwell' — is a five-storeyed, octagonal stepwell constructed in Adalaj, Gujarat, in 1498. An excellent example of the Indo-Islamic fusion architecture of the Gujarat Sultanate period, one of the most fascinating features of this stepwell is the openings in the ceilings above the entrances which allow air and light into the well. However, direct sunlight never touches the steps except at noon, ensuring that the temperature inside the well remains as much as 6°C cooler than the outside. Stepwells like the one in Adalaj were once integral to the semi-arid regions of Gujarat, as they provided water for drinking, washing, and bathing, and also served as a place to socialize and mingle away from the sweltering summer sun.
Nalukettu, literally meaning 'four blocks/sides', is a single-story traditional homestead and a disappearing heritage in the Tharavadu region of Kerala. Nalukettu houses are typically constructed using local materials such as teak or wood from wild jackfruit trees, terracotta bricks, and mud. The walls are built with laterite stones held together by a combination of mud, cow dung, and straws which provides insulation and helps maintain a cool interior, while gabled windows on the top ensure cross-ventilation and allow sufficient light into the attic. The sloping roof — constructed with clay tiles supported by wooden beams and columns — feature extended rafters which provide adequate protection from Kerala's notoriously heavy rainfall. The overhanging eaves also shield the walls from direct sunlight, keeping the inner quarters of Nalukettu houses cooler in the summer.
Kath Kuni — from the Sanskrit words 'kastha', meaning 'wood', and 'kona', meaning 'corner' — is a style of construction indigenous to Himachal Pradesh which responds to the specific climate, topography, and ecology of the region. Easily recognisable by their characteristic inter-locking layers of deodar wood and grey stone blocks, Kath Kuni-style houses are remarkably earthquake resistant owing to their low centre of gravity and flexible, cementless walls that can absorb and dissipate shockwaves without collapsing. Additionally, the raised stone-block platforms these houses are built on keep snow and water from seeping into the house, while the layer of mud plaster on the walls trap heat and keep the interiors warm during the cold, harsh Himalayan winter.
The Hawa Mahal, or 'the palace of winds' is a palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Built from red and pink sandstone, it is on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the Zenana, or women's quarters. Commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 and designed by Ustad Lal Chand, the eastern façade of the structure consists of stone-carved screens, small casements, arched roofs, and delicately modelled hanging cornices that, together, resemble a pyramidal honeycomb because of its symmetric exterior and 953 jharokha windows decorated with intricate latticework.
Although the original intent and purpose of these jharokha windows was to allow the women of the royal court to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen, the feature also allows cool air from the Venturi effect to pass through, making the interior spaces cold and pleasant during the high temperatures in summer.
The traditional Dhajji Diwari houses found in Srinagar, particularly in the downtown area, are great examples of climate-responsive indigenous architecture. These homes, despite their age, remain warm and comfortable during the coldest of Kashmiri winters, demonstrating how traditional methods still hold relevance in modern times. The houses are typically made with cold and moisture resistant deodar wood which is a natural insulator; feature south-facing windows, verandas, and balconies; and utilize mud-plastering in the walls — all of which aid in trapping heat indoors and keeping the cold out.
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