Climate-smart design key to India’s housing future

Architects in India are reviving traditional building principles with modern engineering to create climate-responsive homes that reduce reliance on mechanical cooling. This approach, rooted in Critical Regionalism, combines contemporary design with local climate and cultural wisdom. Architects like Amrutha are incorporating features such as wind towers, shaded courtyards, and jalis, adapting them for modern lifestyles.

The philosophy focuses on preserving environmental wisdom from vernacular architecture rather than copying old structures. For instance, burnt clay bricks replace concrete, and white interiors maximize daylight without heat gain. Developers are also seeing a commercial advantage, with India now among the world's largest markets for LEED-certified buildings outside the United States.