Ancient Techniques We Must Bring Back to Build Sustainable Homes

In an era where sustainability is more critical than ever, ancient building techniques offer timeless solutions. Long before the invention of modern architecture, our ancestors designed homes that harmonized with nature, providing both comfort and functionality. These methods were rooted in deep respect for the environment and created spaces that stayed cool in summer, warm in winter, and required minimal resources to maintain. It’s time to revisit these architectural gems—like verandahs, courtyards, chhajjas, and jaalis—and see how they can inspire a sustainable future.

Verandahs: The Cool-Down Spaces

One of the most charming features of traditional Indian homes is the verandah—a semi-open space that creates a natural transition between indoors and outdoors. Verandahs were crafted to shield homes from the sun while allowing air to circulate, keeping the interiors cool and ventilated. During summers, they acted as cooling zones, making it easier for people to enjoy outdoor spaces without facing direct sunlight. This technique was not only functional but also enhanced the aesthetic appeal of homes.

Verandahs also served social purposes. Historical accounts, especially inscriptions from royal courts, show how they were places for gatherings, leisurely activities, and even business dealings. Embracing verandahs in modern homes means building spaces that are energy-efficient, community-oriented, and environmentally conscious.

Sloping Roofs: Inspired by Nature’s Logic

In regions with heavy rainfall, traditional Indian homes often featured sloping roofs to channel rainwater away from the building. Ancient records, like those in Kerala and parts of Northeast India, describe how kings would commission homes with sloping tile roofs to ensure durability during monsoon seasons.

These roofs weren’t just functional; they also provided aesthetic elegance. Moreover, with the addition of local tiles or thatched roofs, sloping roofs ensured homes stayed cool in the summer by reflecting heat. In our modern age, such roofs can be combined with rainwater harvesting systems to create a more sustainable way of handling rainwater, reducing dependence on external water sources.

Arches: Grace and Stability

Over the centuries, arches have become a simply beautiful feature in numerous Indian palaces, temples, and houses. They were built not only for the structural support but also to provide an aesthetic appeal. The shape of the arched structure is very natural because weight usually tends to be divided around the fabric of the structure, thus eliminating the need for heavy materials. This architectural feature often had delicate designs, showing the artistic expression of the time.

Arches in sustainable modern construction supply structural integrity with lower material usage. This feature can be revived to achieve elegant, durable, and resource-efficient designs that uphold time perspective requirements in architecture.

Chhajjas: Nature’s Own Shade Solution

Chhajjas are overhanging projections or covers meant to prevent shade and act as rainshelters. The feature was generally used in traditional Rajasthani palaces, as chhajjas were instrumental in keeping interiors cool by casting a shadow on windows that significantly reduced the amount of heat entering a room, thereby reducing the cooling requirement within that room.

In modern sustainable architecture, incorporating chhajjas means reducing the energy needed for air conditioning, particularly in hot climates. The clever use of chhajjas, combined with locally sourced materials, can result in elegant facades that enhance a building's environmental performance.

• Courtyards: Natural Ventilation and Green Living

Courtyards have been central to Indian home designs for thousands of years. Found in homes from Kerala to Rajasthan, these open-air spaces were integral for natural light, ventilation, and social gatherings. That was it—the design. Simple. The courtyard let in the breeze that cooled the inside rooms during the very hot days and let out the heat at night.

Indian palace inscriptions have clearly reflected how kings would order courtyards, which are obviously characterized by gardens and water fountains and even animals. These courtyards could be mini-ecosystems, rich in flora and fauna, thus supporting biodiversity within the walls of a palace. In the modern urban world, adoption of courtyards will enhance mini-green spaces that improve air quality, cool communities, and foster community interactions.

• Jaalis: Intricate Ventilation Systems

Jaalis, or lattice screens, are one of the most beautiful and functional contributions of traditional Indian architecture. These perforated screens allow air to circulate while diffusing sunlight, casting mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow. In regions with extreme heat, such as Rajasthan, jaalis became essential for reducing indoor temperatures without compromising on privacy or aesthetics.

Ancient royal courts, especially in places like Fatehpur Sikri, were adorned with jaalis that offered both visual beauty and environmental control. For modern sustainable homes, jaalis are a natural choice to allow ventilation, reduce heat, and bring in soft natural light—all while reducing the need for artificial cooling or lighting.

• Use of Local and Natural Materials

Traditionally, homes were constructed using materials drawn directly from the local environment. Mud and clay, bamboo, and stone were all readily available, which means low transportation costs, minimal environmental impact, and better adaptability to the local climate. Inscriptions from various regions highlight how kings and communities took pride in using indigenous materials that honored the land they occupied.

For example, mud houses in Gujarat stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter due to the natural insulation properties of clay. This principle can be extended to modern architecture by using locally sourced materials like adobe, compressed earth blocks, and rammed earth. Not only are these materials eco-friendly, but they also bring a unique, local charm to modern buildings.

• Built-In Furniture: Efficient Use of Space

Built-in furniture was common in Indian homes since it served two purposes: saving space and resources. The niches or benches in walls and storage space offered convenience without the need for excess furniture in these areas. In temples, palaces, and homes, built-in furniture made rooms multifunctional, practical, and clutter-free.

Inscriptions from palaces and temples depict how this furniture was often embellished, merging utility with art. In modern sustainable homes, built-in furniture offers a compact, eco-friendly way to maximize space and reduce waste by minimizing the need for standalone items.

Why Ancient Techniques Matter Today

The ancient Indian architecture expresses deep wisdom on how one should live sustainably and harmoniously within nature. Every style chosen for the design had some purpose, where aesthetics blended with practical needs, tending to minimize footprints as much as possible. That is precisely why reviving these techniques would not only help rebuild homes that respect the earth but also reconnect us to our rich cultural heritage.

As climate change intensifies, the push for sustainable housing grows stronger. Our ancestors were able to envision a future meant to ensure that structures satisfied human needs without ever consuming resources, creating comfortable spaces that go perfectly and harmoniously with the environment. If the old techniques and modern technology are to be integrated, we shall be creating houses that are at the same time strong and ecological, beautiful and sustainable.

Embracing these timeless techniques means going beyond all the modern conveniences to reach for a living space that honors the natural world. Be it a cool verandah, a shaded chhajja, or even a simple courtyard, these can make a house into a sanctuary. So, the next time you think of designing a home, remember: our ancestors knew how to build sustainably—and it is high time we do too.