How 5 Indian Homes Keep Cool Without Worrying About ACs & Electricity Costs

By Raajwrita Dutta 23 April 2025

From mud walls to bamboo roofs, these five Indian homes beat the heat naturally — built smartly to stay cool, without harming the planet.

1. Dhruvang & Priyanka’s mud home Dhruvang Hingmire and Priyanka Gunjikar built a cement-free home in Kamshet using mud, stone, and lime. It stays cool even when it’s 38°C outside.

Thanks to lime plaster and thick mud walls, the home maintains a temperature of around 25°C — even during peak Maharashtra summers. Read full story.

2. Manoj and Nithin’s recycled house Architect Nithin MS and Manoj Badkillaya used 95% recycled materials — lime mortar, reclaimed wood, and laterite stone — to build his five-bedroom home in Udupi.

The breathable walls and concrete-free construction keep the house naturally about 4°C cooler, making it both eco-friendly and airy. Read full story.

3. Samira’s lime-cooled home In Gujarat’s Bharuch, architect Samira Rathod designed a home with thick external walls and lime-plastered interiors.

Using cross-ventilation, shaded spaces, and thermal mass, the house stays cool even when outdoor temperatures reach 40°C. Read full story.

4. Shreya’s earth-cooled farmhouse Architect Shreya Srivastava built a 5,500-sq-ft mud-lime farmhouse in Chittorgarh using passive design and local materials. She blends luxury with tradition.

Thick walls, thatched roofs, and clerestory windows regulate heat, while Araish plaster and stone floors keep it naturally cool in the dry Rajasthan heat. Read full story.

5. Reva & Ranjan’s solar mud home Reva and Ranjan Malik’s 770-sq-ft home is built with stabilised mud, terracotta tiles, and recycled debris. It has no cement and is connected to nature.

Their home has no bulbs or fans because it is solar-powered and naturally lit. Terracotta floors, porous tiles, and ventilation keep their home cool at all times. Read full story.