{"id":2859,"date":"2026-10-22T08:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T08:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/2026\/10\/22\/bhuj-home-rammed-earth-courtyard-cooling\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T08:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T08:35:15","slug":"bhuj-home-rammed-earth-courtyard-cooling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/2026\/10\/22\/bhuj-home-rammed-earth-courtyard-cooling\/","title":{"rendered":"Bhuj Home Uses Rammed Earth and Courtyard to Beat 40\u00b0C Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Quick Adsense WordPress Plugin: http:\/\/quickadsense.com\/ -->\n<div class=\"9fece8afa224fd09e54b043d0febfb58\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- NR ATF -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8898941184964366\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4839033563\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>Architect Hiten\u202fKakadiya of Aayam Architects designed a 6,300\u2011square\u2011foot home on a 22,500\u2011square\u2011foot triangular plot in Bhuj that seeks to stay naturally cool even when temperatures soar above 40\u202f\u00b0C. The project, built for a Jain family, integrates traditional construction methods, locally sourced materials and a layout that maximizes daylight and airflow while respecting the occupants\u2019 religious customs.<\/p>\n<h2>Design philosophy and site constraints<\/h2>\n<p>The unusual shape of the site required the design to treat every fa\u00e7ade with equal attention. \u201cAll the sides of the elevation are visible \u2013 we couldn\u2019t get away with lavishing attention on just the front,\u201d Kakadiya explained. To respond, the bungalow wraps around three sides of a central courtyard, creating a protected interior space that draws in natural light and promotes cross\u2011ventilation. The design does not attempt to frame distant vistas; instead, it engages directly with the immediate surroundings, allowing the house to remain in constant dialogue with its environment.<\/p>\n<p>While the client requested a contemporary residence, they also rejected opulent finishes such as Italian marble. The brief called for a home that could harmonise modern education with ancient Jain values, a balance that shaped material choices and spatial organization throughout the project.<\/p>\n<h2>Passive cooling strategies and materials<\/h2>\n<p>Even with careful planning, the architects acknowledge that passive measures alone cannot defeat extreme heat. \u201cWhen the ambient temperatures hit 40 degrees and more, passive cooling fights a losing battle,\u201d Kakadiya said, noting that air\u2011conditioners are still installed for the hottest days.<\/p>\n<p>Key to the house\u2019s climate response are its openings and shading devices. Wooden louvered windows, positioned to filter both light and breeze, keep interiors shaded while allowing a steady flow of air. The louvers are mounted horizontally, enabling the breeze to be directed upward when a direct draft is undesirable. Overhangs extending 30\u202finches further shield the walls from direct solar gain, reducing heat buildup.<\/p>\n<p>The building envelope relies heavily on earth\u2011based construction. Nine\u2011inch\u2011thick rammed\u2011earth walls were cast using soil sourced from Morbi, giving the walls a distinctive red hue that ties the structure to the regional terrain. Complementary walls employ Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB), which are formed by compressing earth without firing them in a kiln. This method saves energy and curtails air\u2011pollution compared with conventional fired bricks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBrick construction using earth blocks reinforces the connection to the soil, while natural stone used in outdoor areas adds weight and permanence to the ground plane,\u201d Kakadiya noted. The tactile quality of these materials creates a sensory experience underfoot and visually, reinforcing the house\u2019s grounding in its locale.<\/p>\n<h2>Cultural influences and interior details<\/h2>\n<p>Jain religious practices subtly shape several design elements. In the sister\u2019s bedroom, a ledge near the window serves as a designated sleeping spot, a feature that \u201cholds deep meaning for the initiated, who instantly comprehend its purpose,\u201d according to the architect. The bedroom also includes a bed sized to accommodate guests, reflecting hospitality values.<\/p>\n<p>A paved walking track encircles the residence, deliberately avoiding grass, which is discouraged in Jain tradition. This pathway allows residents to move around the property without stepping on living ground, aligning daily routines with spiritual guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>Handcrafted wooden furniture supplied by Alankaram, a collective of female artisans, populates the interior spaces. Each piece is unique, emphasizing craftsmanship over uniformity and adding warmth to the rooms. The wood\u2019s natural tones complement the earth walls, creating an environment described as \u201csimple and deeply comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A short distance from the main bungalow, a glass\u2011walled gazebo situated in the garden functions as a family sitting area and a waiting room for visitors linked to the client\u2019s professional activities. The landscape, designed by Tattva Designs, uses only native tree species; no exotic or imported trees were added for aesthetic reasons. The designers view the planting not as decorative garnish but as an integral part of everyday living.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Kakadiya summarises the project\u2019s ethos: \u201cOur design for this Bhuj home does not try to impress. It chooses instead to belong \u2014 to the soil it rises from, to the climate it responds to, and to the lifestyle it quietly nurtures within.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 6,300\u2011sq\u2011ft residence in Bhuj blends Jain traditions with eco\u2011friendly construction, using rammed\u2011earth walls, a central courtyard and careful ventilation to stay cool in extreme heat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[299],"tags":[3180,3183,3184,3182,3181,1810],"class_list":["post-2859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-architecture","tag-bhuj","tag-climate-responsive","tag-jainism","tag-rammed-earth","tag-sustainable-design","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}