8 sustainable homes that are built with climate-responsive materials

A family of four possessing an expansive plot of over 17,000 square feet came to Srijit Srinivas, the chief architect and owner of his eponymous firm, to design their new residence in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. What used to be a small, flat roof house surrounded by a few, old trees, was transformed into an 8,000-square-foot exposed brick wonder with the addition of 400 new plants on the plot, whilst retaining the older ones. “Brick is a beautiful material which has amazing properties to help bring the heat down. Exposed brick architecture possesses a distinctive aesthetic quality to it, invoking a feeling of familiarity and warmth. Rather than covering up its imperfections with primer and paint, we wanted the house to become a piece of art in brick,” he adds.

Justin Sebastian

Justin Sebastian

The play of light and shadow is created with lattice-like perforations at intervals, adding intricacy to the facade’s design and creating ample ventilation in the interiors. “The slanting roof further emphasises the climate-friendly architecture as it reduces heat and drains water swiftly during the heavy monsoon months,” says Srinivas. The addition of solar panels on the slope of the roof helps generate electricity while biogas produced from house waste is used for cooking in their outhouse. Other thoughtful interventions such as energy-efficient appliances, passive cooling systems like the louvres, solar water heating, and green cover in the courtyards and waterbodies insulate the house from the intense Kerala heat, and help make it a net-zero residence.

Original text by Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy, edited for context.

Flora That Is Adapted To The Region

Yadnyesh Joshi

Set on a lush expanse overlooking the backwaters of Lake Beze in the wine capital of India, a weekend home in Nashik radiates that effortlessly charming vibe that only comes from a place of true comfort. “With a brief centered around creating a modern oasis for restful off-days, we drew inspiration from prairie-style, low-lying homes—crafting a structure that seamlessly blends steel, glass, and organic design elements,” says Manasvi Bachhav, principal architect, TAC. “The house is carefully positioned to maximise the breathtaking views, embracing a form that enhances its relationship with the outdoors,” she adds.

Yadnyesh Joshi

Yadnyesh Joshi

Making a point beyond its aesthetic value, Pavilion House integrates practical, climate-responsive design solutions. Constructed with a composite of concrete and steel, the structure incorporates ceramic tile cladding on its façade to provide insulation against Nashik’s intense summer heat, where temperatures can soar to 40°C. Additionally, the strategic zoning of the home ensures both, natural lighting and ventilation. The desert-inspired landscape design, featuring flora adapted to the region’s dry climate, blends seamlessly with the wild grasslands while retaining a sense of playfulness—just what the home owners wanted.