Architects Turning to India’s Lattice Building Designs to Keep Buildings Cool Without Air Conditioning

India’s lattice buildings are both beautiful, unique, and efficient in keeping the building cool without the need for any air conditioner.

Source: UN Environment Programme/YouTube

There are small streams of light that shine through the jaali screens which both provide lights without the need for energy and keep the building’s carbon footprint low.

Jaali means net, and it is used in Central and South Asia. The cuts are made from marble and red sandstone and shaped into patterns. The Taj Mahal is perhaps one of the world’s most known buildings. The building constructed in the mid-17th century was created with carved jaalis to create a blend of lights and shadows.

The screens also allow for air to circulate in the building while also providing sunlight. Architects are now trying to recreate this architecture to help with the record-breaking heat waves that struck the world this summer. Cooling buildings is not only energy-intensive, but it is also expensive. Air conditioners are on the rise and are expected to triple by 2050.

In 2019, the Indian government launched the India Cooling Action Plan, which emphasized the importance of manipulating architectural elements to improve cooling. Architects are now turning to old solutions, including the jaali.

“[It] serves as an eco-friendly response to the issues of sustainable cooling and ventilation,” Sachin Rastogi, architect and founding director of ZED Lab in Delhi, who specializes in net-zero buildings, told BBC.

Cooling techniques can provide thermal comfort as well as reduce indoor temperature. Cutting out the need for air conditioners can result in saving up to 70 percent in energy.

Jaali cuts out the direct heat from coming into the building and also leaves enough room for natural ventilation and airflow.

“When air passes through holes, it picks up velocity and penetrates afar. Due to the small apertures, air gets compressed and when released it gets cooler,” Yatin Pandya, an architect specializing in heritage Conservation and sustainable design, told BBC.

While it is often not something that people think about while considering how to cut down energy, focusing on the construction of buildings might be a great idea. Check out how to survive heat waves without air conditioning and why experts are warning against our increased use of cooling machines.

Cooling the house naturally is a great thing to do. It saves you money, protects the environment, and can legitimately keep the house comfortable in most situations. So, maybe we can survive the heat waves without air conditioning.

Related Content:

• How to Survive Heat Waves Without Air Conditioning
• Experts Warn Against Using Air Conditioners Because They Are Horrible For the Environment
• How to Cool a Space without Air Conditioning
• Ultimate Pet Parent Builds a DIY Air-Conditioned Bed For His Dog
• Air Conditioning is a Modern Luxury, but is it Costing the Planet More Than We Realize?

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