generally traditional construction was based on energy efficient concept.

1. TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION – AN ENERGY
EFFICIENTCONSTRUCTION
Dr K M SONI, CHIEF ENGINEER, WZ-I,
CPWD, MUMBAI

2. TRADITIONAL CONCEPT
• Site selection and orientation of the building
• Floor height
• Verandah/balcony
• Courtyard and plants/trees
• Concept of bungalow
• Design of doors/windows
• Concept of sunshade/chajjas
• Roof slope and water proofing treatment
• Wall thickness
• Lakes/ponds/wells/water channels
• Use of locally available materials
• Concept of Dome
• Dressing pattern
• No Concept of air conditioning

3. Site selection and orientation of the Building
• Forts, palaces, religious structures and
community structures were constructed at
places safe from soil stability, floods,
foundation stability, low energy
requirements, safety considerations etc
• Orientation of buildings and entrance taken
special care
• Water bodies were part of important
structures

4. Floor height
• For comfortable conditions inside homes
• Not less than 3.5m
• Energy efficient
• Greater insulation
• Mostly no artificial cooling or heating

5. Verandah/balcony
• Verandah, jharokhas and balcony were part of
buildings as per requirement
• Verendah cut off direct sun and rains
• Verendah were useful for comfortable
conditions
• Corridors
• Walls had small openings so that due to Ventury
effect, air on entering small holes in walls
produced high velocity of wind (Hawa Mahal).

6. HAWA MAHAL, JAIPUR (jaipurhub.com)

7. Corridor of FRI,
Dehradun (Source:
oktatabyebye.com)

8. COURTYARDS
• Courtyards were part of houses
• Used for religious, social functions and
gatherings
• They works as entry place for sun hence
helped in healthy environment
• Energy efficient as external lighting was not
required

9. Concept of bungalow
• “Bungalow” derived from Bengal
• Bengal hut had openings on top just below
roof level on both sides. This led to air
circulation from one side to other in both
directions as per the direction of the wind.
This kept the hut cool. Tiles or thatch on the
roof provided the insulation effect
• This local concept was adopted by the British
in Bungalow construction

10. Bengal hut

11. Doors/windows
• Concept of energy efficiency was adopted in the
design of windows also. Window shutters had
many small openings. These small apertures
provided cooling due to Ventury effect and also
stopped one to see through. These windows
were wooden windows and had no glass. Even
when they were closed, air came in with high
velocity while sun was prevented. This provided
air cooling without air conditioners. Later the
design was changed and louvers were provided
in doors and windows for such purposes.

13. Sunshade/chajja
• Sunshade is essential in our climate and therefore was an
essential part of the traditional construction also. The moist
conditions of the windows with temperature suitable for growing
insects become favourable conditions for the insects and thus
windows are damaged. Sunshades prevented rain water and thus
helped in preventing damage to windows. They also prevented
sun from getting in which was increasing the temperature inside.
The sunshades were essential not only for window shutters but
also for interiors of the buildings and energy efficiency as this
acted as a barrier for the sun to come in through windows.
Though sunshades are provided now also, some of the architects
prefer buildings without sun shade which make building energy
inefficient and prone to damage. Normally, these sunshades were
earlier provided with stones so that they do not get damaged or
the window was provided in the recessed portion.

14. Roof slope and water proofing treatment
• In traditional construction roof was provided with the slope
required to drain out the water or with a dome. With the concept
of flat roof, traditionally slope was provided so as to drain water
from the projected slab by providing slope in the roof. Thereafter
slope was provided not in the roof material but in the water
proofing materials which also acted as insulation materials. For
example mud phuska was provided on the roof which was
prepared locally with the soil having largely clay, an impervious
material, locally available and economic. Since cracks develop in
clay, “bhusa” was added in the clay and mixed properly to avoid
cracks as it provided reinforcing effect to the clay. Bhusa was also
available locally. Slope was therefore provided in the roof with
mud phuska, an economic material than RCC or reinforced brick
(RB) which also acted as water proofing and insulating material
making buildings energy efficient.

15. Wall thickness
• Traditionally wall thickness of outer walls was
provided with more than one and half brick wall. This
was highly energy efficient as it provided insulation
effect from the sun and cold. Additionally, during
rains, it prevented water to ingress through as joints
were cut off through brick, additionally required in
one and half brick thick wall and thus no moisture
was passing inside making rooms moist free which
prevented algae/fungi to grow. Thus it helped in the
occupational health of the occupants. In the areas
where pipes were embedded or taken out, it was very
efficient to prevent seepage as whole section was not
disturbed.

16. Lakes/Ponds/Wells/moats/Water channels
• Traditionally, lakes/ponds/wells were part of
the development which acted as ground
water recharging, as well water source for
the public and cattle. These were also the
source of providing water to the trees
planted near them. These lakes and ponds
were thus also helpful in lowering the
temperature of the surroundings thus
construction near them was energy efficient
as it provided cooling effect.

17. Use of locally available materials
• Locally available materials are always
economic and energy efficient as they require
minimum energy in transportation and are
generally made from low energy required
materials. Mostly they were used in
traditional construction except in royal
palaces

18. Concept of dome
• Dome was an integral part of the
construction of religious structures and even
of other buildings. Dome had high roof and
was energy efficient as it provided cooling
effect. Also, in other buildings, traditionally
top floor was having sloped or domed roof
which helped in minimizing the temperature
inside building due to its insulation effect.
This also avoided the cost of water proofing.

19. Dressing pattern
• Traditional dressing helped in low energy
requirements. Generally, people used to
wear dresses and shirts/kurtas according to
atmospheric requirements and comforts.It
required no external source of energy either
for cooling or heating.