Tribe Verified

The Craft of Sustainable Building

byAshok B LallTakes projects across India; Visit office at Civil Lines, New DelhiStarts from₹100 per sq. ft. of Built-up AreaView full gallery

I do not believe in fighting against nature to build. My work focuses on working with the earth beneath us and the climate around us to create spaces that breathe, cool themselves, and tell a story through the materials they are made of.

I believe the most sustainable material is the one you find on site. Here, I explain how we used the earth from the basement excavation at the Butterflies project to create over 70% of the building's walls, a truly circular approach to construction.

This video shows two key construction techniques from the Butterflies Centre. First, the on-site production of cement-stabilized earth blocks, and second, the use of a Bubble Deck slab, which uses recycled plastic balls to reduce concrete and lighten the structure.

A view through an arched opening framed by walls made of stabilized earth blocks. The soil was excavated directly from the basement, making it the primary, hyper-local building material for the project.

A hallway at the Butterflies Centre, showcasing the texture and warmth of the earth block walls. This material is not only sustainable but also provides excellent thermal insulation, keeping the interiors comfortable.

The process of creating precast wall storage units, also known as an *Aala*. This small alcove is a traditional design element we have modernized to add utility and character to a wall, serving as a small shelf for everyday items or a space for prayer.

About The Craft of Sustainable Building

Take a look at the 'Aala' or alcove units shown here. We precast these on-site to replace standard hollow blocks, which saves on material costs while adding a functional, personal touch to the wall. It is a small detail, but these are the decisions that make a building cost-effective and human-friendly without relying on complex, expensive machinery.

Over 40 years of sustainable building experience — Approved by the tribe
A

Ashok B Lall

Takes projects across India; Visit office at Civil Lines, New DelhiStarts from ₹100 per sq. ft. of Built-up Area

I am Ashok Lall. I have spent decades questioning how we build, searching for ways to create spaces that do not just stand, but live in harmony with our climate. For me, architecture is about providing khushali—real well-being—through design that uses the earth, the sun, and the wind to do the hard work.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe

This aerial view of a factory extension shows my commitment to energy efficiency, with integrated solar panels and a green roof. The central courtyard is a landscaped breakout space, improving the indoor environment for workers.9
At Symbiosis International University, I used a combination of stone retaining walls, green spaces, and shaded walkways. This approach demonstrates a commitment to water preservation, healthy living, and creating a high-quality indoor-outdoor environment.
The campus at Symbiosis International University in Pune is a showcase of sustainable design. Features like green roofs, eco-friendly construction materials, and efficient water management systems are integral to the project.
This image highlights the use of indigenous materials in my projects. The image shows a detail of a brick jali, or screen, which allows for natural ventilation while creating a beautiful play of light and shadow.

Sustainable Architecture and Materiality for Modern Spaces

I
IMK ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit office in Worli, Mumbai
The completed bamboo roof of a yoga hall, seen from below. The intricate spiral weave is not just beautiful but also structurally sound, creating a breathtaking canopy with a central oculus that lets in natural light.12
The interior of the completed yoga hall, showing how the bamboo roof structure meets the mud-plastered walls. This combination of earth and bamboo creates a space that feels organic, calming, and deeply connected to nature.
A scaled maquette of the spiral bamboo roof. I created this model to study the complex joinery and geometry, a process that honors the hands-on, craft-based approach of my inspiration, architect Revathi Kamath.
A section drawing of the yoga hall, illustrating how the bamboo roof structure allows for a wide, open-span interior. The design lets light filter through the bamboo, creating a serene, dappled effect perfect for a meditative space.

Material Craft: Bamboo, Stone & Upcycled Elements

S
SAFE Design StudioTakes projects in Shillong, Guwahati & Delhi NCR; Studios in Shillong & New Delhi
6

Sustainable Building Techniques and Construction

K
Kham DesignProjects across India; Visit Studio in Chamrajpet
We are always exploring ways to use waste materials. Here, we are testing a new type of wall cast using wood waste from a furniture factory, with wood chips substituting for aggregate.14
The process of grinding down the surface of our experimental wood-waste concrete block to expose the wood chips embedded within. This creates a unique, terrazzo-like finish.
A close-up of the finished wood-waste concrete. The random pattern of wood chips creates a warm and tactile surface, turning a waste product into a beautiful architectural material.
The outer face of the experimental block is cast against formwork made of waste wood strips, creating a ribbed texture. This exploration allows for different finishes on the interior and exterior of a single wall.

The Art of Materiality

C
CollectiveProjectStudio in Indiranagar; Projects across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad & India
A mason skillfully constructing a circular brick dome for the Professor's Residence. This showcases the high level of craftsmanship involved in our projects and our use of traditional building techniques like domes and vaults.6
A mason skillfully constructing a circular brick dome for the Professor's Residence. This showcases the high level of craftsmanship involved in our projects and our use of traditional building techniques like domes and vaults.
The Gamaya villas under construction, with walls of exposed brick and local stone. The building is nestled among existing trees, which we always strive to preserve as part of the site's natural heritage.

Ecological Architecture: Our Hands-On Construction Process

B
Biome Environmental SolutionsBased in Vidyaranyapura; serves Bengaluru & India
A feature in Ideal Home and Garden magazine that focused on my role in "sowing the seeds of a green environment." The article highlights the use of hand-made materials and bioclimatic design principles to create sustainable homes.4
This spread from GoodHomes magazine showcases the home's entrance, built with locally sourced Delhi quartzite stone. It details how using natural materials provides better thermal capacity and requires less long-term maintenance.
An interior view featured in GoodHomes, highlighting the "Hand Made" philosophy of the project. The image shows the raw texture of the quartzite stone walls contrasted with modern glass elements, a core part of my design language.
This article clipping shows the basement lounge, an earth-sheltered space designed for natural thermal comfort. It discusses how the design conserves energy and uses a glass-panelled well to bring natural light deep into the home.

Sustainable Architecture Features in Design Magazines

V
Vinit KhannaTakes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram

More from Commercial & Institutional Architecture by Ashok B Lall

FeaturedButterflies Resilience Centre: A Home with HeartIIHMR University, Jaipur: Learning with NatureLEED Platinum Office, Noida: The Breathing WorkplaceFuture Visions & Design ConceptsConversations on Architecture

More services by Ashok B Lall

Sustainable Residential ArchitectureGreen Building Consulting & Research
  1. Home
  2. Ashok B Lall
  3. Commercial & Institutional Architecture
  4. The Craft of Sustainable Building