--- title: "Sustainable Residential Architecture for Eco-Friendly Homes in India - mytribe" description: "Looking for sustainable residential architecture? Hire Ashok B Lall to design your future-proof, eco-friendly home. We specialize in net-zero energy design and passive cooling architecture to create comfortable, low-cost living spaces. Build a home that's good for you and the planet." canonical: https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture last_updated: 2025-09-25 --- # Sustainable Residential Architecture in New Delhi By [Ashok B Lall](https://mytribe.in/ablarch) · I design homes that use local materials, passive cooling, and courtyard layouts to keep your space naturally cool, well-lit, and low on energy bills. ## Locations Takes projects across India; Visit office at Civil Lines, New Delhi ### Travels to - Takes projects across India (India, India) ### Visit at - Office at Civil Lines, New Delhi (architects near Delhi University North Campus, Kashmiri Gate, Kamla Nagar, Vidhan Sabha, Tis Hazari, Majnu Ka Tila) ## Pricing guide (estimates) These are indicative prices based on provider's past work. Enquire now to find out final quote. ### Eco-Retrofit & Adaptive Reuse Deep renovation design for existing buildings to cut thermal heat gain using facade insulation, double glazing, and shading devices. Typically ₹350-550 ₹ per sq. ft. of Built-up Area (estimate) #### **Thermal Envelope Upgrades** * **Insulation Retrofit:** Detailed drawings for external wall cladding or cavity injection and reflective roof screeds to stop heat gain. * **High-Performance Glazing:** Replacement strategy swapping single-panes for Double Glazed Units (DGU) to seal thermal leaks. #### **Facade & Roof Transformation** * **External Shading:** Installation of fixed pergolas or sliding screens to block direct solar radiation before it hits the glass. * **Terrace Redesign:** Converting unused roofs into accessible gardens with integrated solar canopies and water-proofing. * **Daylight Optimization:** Modification of internal partitions to allow natural light penetration into deep floor plates. #### **Eco-Interior Systems** * **Healthy Finishes:** Specification of non-toxic natural plasters (lime/mud) and low-VOC finishes to improve indoor air quality. * **Solar Integration:** Structural assessment for mounting PV panels on existing roof structures. ### Net-Zero Sustainable Home Design Full-service architectural planning targeting 70-100% grid independence via bio-climatic engineering, bubble deck slabs, and earth-block construction. Typically ₹450-650 ₹ per sq. ft. of Built-up Area (estimate) #### **Bio-Climatic Architecture** * **Site Engineering:** Detailed orientation study with sun-path analysis and wind tunnel simulation to maximize winter sun and block summer heat. * **Structural Tech:** Integration of Bubble Deck Slab technology (hollow plastic balls in concrete) to reduce dead weight and cement usage. * **Signature Ventilation:** Design of central "breathing" courtyards (Aakash Chowk) acting as lungs for cross-ventilation in every room. #### **Custom Materials & Skins** * **Earth Construction:** Specs for converting excavated soil into Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) for natural thermal cooling. * **Kinetic Facades:** Design of manually sliding metal Jaalis or rotating louvers that filter light without blocking air. * **Heritage Upcycling:** Curation plan for sourcing reclaimed doors and Jharokha shutters from havelis to reduce carbon footprint. #### **Net-Zero MEP Systems** * **Passive Cooling:** Human-centric cooling via trickle fountains, roof misting systems, and heat-sink ponds rather than central AC. * **Water Loops:** Closed-loop systems including aquifer recharge and greywater recycling for roof gardens. * **Certification:** Documentation support for achieving EDGE Advanced or LEED Platinum ratings. ## About Sustainable Residential Architecture Building homes isn’t just about walls and roofs for me – it’s about memories, discovery, and places where kids can go a little wild and find their own nooks. I still remember my own bachpan ka ghar (childhood home) – big, open, full of stories. ### How I Think About Homes - I design with both old-school Indian wisdom and new sustainability tech. The idea is to make each house comfy, practical, and ready for anything the future throws at us. - Climate change is real, and bijli ki killat (electricity shortage) is always on our minds. My aim is to build net-zero energy homes that are almost free to run and stay cool without blasting the AC all day. ### My Approach in Action - Courtyard-centric homes are my jam. They pull in light and hawa (air), making every room feel alive. - Whenever possible, I use recycled building materials – like making bricks from the basement’s own mitti (earth) and finding old haveli doors and jharokha (balcony) shutters to give them new life. - I mess with light and shade using passive cooling techniques, like jaali (screen) panels and classic overhangs, so the sun behaves itself but you still get plenty of light. ### What You Get - A home that breathes – lots of natural light and ventilation, so you feel good and the bills stay low. - Spaces that just work, whether it’s a big bungalow, duplex, or something totally unique. - At the end of the day, I want you to have a house that’s beautiful, practical, and full of khushali (well-being and joy). ## Highlights Browse through Ashok B Lall's best work. ### [Featured](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/featured) - [Video: Namaskar. I'm Ashok Lall. I believe a home should provide khushali for a long time, especially with our changing climate. Here is a look at a net-zero duplex project in Mohali, designed to be future proof. We used rooftop solar PV to make the electricity bill nearly zero, and special insulated walls and roofs to keep the home comfortable year-round with very little need for an AC.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7aee35e3-883a-47d6-bbb8-d4c81ae50444) - [Video: True sustainability means using what is already there. For the Butterflies Children's Home, we sourced beautiful second-hand doors and windows from the area. More importantly, we excavated a basement and used the mitti, the earth from the site itself, to create 70% of the bricks for the building. It is a simple, powerful way to build with respect for our resources.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/521d952e-4d70-4fc3-8e28-025581ef6c2e) - ![The courtyard is the heart of a home. This architectural section drawing shows how a central open space can bring natural light and hawa deep into every room. It creates a shared space for families to connect and ensures the home feels alive and ventilated, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/57b9a115-7686-4b54-a91d-6d42e9ece4e9) - [Video: I often think of my own bachpan ka ghar, a big, rambling house full of places to explore. I brought that memory into the design for the Butterflies Children's Home. I wanted to create a place where children could find their own corners, from the ground floor to the courtyards and all the way up to the rooftop, to look out at the world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f3c7b99-10c5-43b3-977f-c8d8a93345da) - ![We blend traditional wisdom with modern solutions. For this home in Defence Colony, we designed these movable, perforated metal screens. They function like a modern jaali, blocking the harsh sun while allowing diffused light and air to pass through, keeping the home cool and reducing energy consumption.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/637495ad-c23d-49f9-9c3c-cba6d1c49b2d) - ![This is a view looking up from within one of our courtyard designs. You can see how the architecture is designed to embrace the open sky, pulling light down into the living spaces. These central courtyards are fundamental to creating homes that breathe and feel connected to nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1c060bff-cdae-4af4-a4cd-7584009c8343) - [Video: In dense urban villages where open ground is scarce, we must think differently. For the Butterflies Children's Home in Delhi, we treated the rooftop as the new ground. It became a space for solar panels to generate electricity, for solar heaters, and most importantly, a safe, open area for the children to enjoy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1b7aebe-9ff0-4129-bbe4-5116f96951ce) ### [Homes for Life: My Guiding Principles](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/homes-for-life-my-guiding-principles) - [Video: I often think of my own bachpan ka ghar, a big, rambling house full of places to explore. I brought that memory into the design for the Butterflies Children's Home. I wanted to create a place where children could find their own corners, from the ground floor to the courtyards and all the way up to the rooftop, to look out at the world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f3c7b99-10c5-43b3-977f-c8d8a93345da) - [Video: In dense urban villages where open ground is scarce, we must think differently. For the Butterflies Children's Home in Delhi, we treated the rooftop as the new ground. It became a space for solar panels to generate electricity, for solar heaters, and most importantly, a safe, open area for the children to enjoy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1b7aebe-9ff0-4129-bbe4-5116f96951ce) - ![This article explains the concept behind the Butterflies Resilience Centre, a home we designed for children rescued from crisis situations. My goal was to create a temporary home that felt like a place of discovery, where kids could explore and find their own nooks, from the courtyard to the rooftop.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3bbd22ba-94fc-44eb-b931-182a00eaad9e) ### [Courtyards: Homes that Breathe](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/courtyards-homes-that-breathe) - ![The courtyard is the heart of a home. This architectural section drawing shows how a central open space can bring natural light and hawa deep into every room. It creates a shared space for families to connect and ensures the home feels alive and ventilated, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/57b9a115-7686-4b54-a91d-6d42e9ece4e9) - ![This is a view looking up from within one of our courtyard designs. You can see how the architecture is designed to embrace the open sky, pulling light down into the living spaces. These central courtyards are fundamental to creating homes that breathe and feel connected to nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1c060bff-cdae-4af4-a4cd-7584009c8343) - ![This newspaper feature highlights one of our projects, the Buddharaja Garden House. The design revolves around a central courtyard that acts as a natural cooler for the entire building, a principle that is essential for comfortable living in the Delhi climate.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab92b028-2916-4c8a-9619-c10312b886fc) ### [Building with Nature: Materials & Methods](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/building-with-nature-materials-methods) - [Video: True sustainability means using what is already there. For the Butterflies Children's Home, we sourced beautiful second-hand doors and windows from the area. More importantly, we excavated a basement and used the mitti, the earth from the site itself, to create 70% of the bricks for the building. It is a simple, powerful way to build with respect for our resources.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/521d952e-4d70-4fc3-8e28-025581ef6c2e) - [Video: This video shows the making of a precast wall storage unit, known as an Aala. This small alcove is a traditional design element we integrate for utility, to hold small items or serve as a prayer nook. It is a thoughtful detail that also helps reduce material usage in the walls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b104a129-f187-4a69-a6bf-ee284881f164) - ![This is a close-up of the movable perforated metal screens on our Defence Colony residence. The design allows them to slide, giving residents control over sunlight and privacy. This is a modern interpretation of the traditional jaali, a key element of passive cooling design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8a2c4d5d-11df-4fc1-93e5-facee8164315) - ![A view looking up at the facade, showing how the perforated screens create a dynamic and functional exterior. These shading devices are crucial for managing heat gain from the sun, which is a core principle of energy-efficient building design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd93076c-5ce3-4ef3-9b77-5d85305fa365) - [Video: Innovation in construction is key to making sustainable homes affordable. This animation shows how we design and assemble building components to be economical with materials. We test these methods at full scale to ensure they are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/deef4867-f851-420e-bcd5-f1880220c760) ### [Sustainable Living for All](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/sustainable-living-for-all) - ![An aerial view of the Happinest project in Avadi, Chennai. The layout of the buildings is designed to create green, shaded walkways in between, fostering a sense of community and ensuring that each home has good access to light and air.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ebc24e41-d76a-44dc-953b-007d2e489a2e) - ![This ground-level view of the Happinest affordable housing project shows the relaxed, countryside lifestyle we aimed to create. The green spaces between buildings provide a natural buffer and a pleasant environment for residents.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8253df5a-55ac-463e-9d56-c551fd4bc58c) - ![The facade design for the Happinest buildings incorporates simple yet effective shading devices over windows and balconies. These overhangs are a passive cooling strategy that helps keep the apartments comfortable without relying heavily on air conditioning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3cb10093-d766-4c2e-9a3a-ec47aac56c24) ### [Sharing the Knowledge: Research & Publications](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/sharing-the-knowledge-research-publications) - ![This is the "Handbook of Replicable Designs for Energy Efficient Residential Buildings," a project we were commissioned for by GIZ. It serves as a practical guide for creating sustainable homes across all of India's climate zones.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/567aae0d-e41b-4c8e-8c87-8edc1be27c75) - ![This diagram from the handbook illustrates various housing typologies, from single-family homes to multi-family developments. The goal was to provide a clear framework for applying energy-efficient design principles to different scales of residential architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2d9aaa3a-b0c4-4b27-8212-4c3944bf2ade) - ![A sample page from the design catalogue, showing a detailed floor plan and site plan for a 2BHK low-rise row house. Each design in the catalogue includes performance results and simulations to demonstrate its energy efficiency.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8cfff1e7-d0ac-4b36-987a-ad9dfda82adf) - ![More examples from the replicable design catalogue, showing different configurations for 2BHK and 3BHK apartments. These templates provide a solid starting point for developers and architects looking to build more sustainably.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d1a41dc5-571e-4848-b1f0-1d13a4dfc6bf) - ![I also authored the "Building Green" guide for IIFL Home Loans. This handbook was created to promote and simplify the concepts of sustainable and affordable housing for a wider audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51fd16f4-6cfa-4267-9212-f5f9af1063d2) - ![It is always an honor to share my experience. This was from the Liveable Cities Conclave, where I spoke about the importance of designing environmentally sustainable buildings for our future.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e4a788a5-cfc0-4d71-b9ce-8402fbfa286d) - ![I had a wonderful conversation with Nirmal Kishnani on the Ecogradia podcast, where we discussed how architectural design can bridge social and environmental challenges. Sharing these ideas is a crucial part of my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e71cbde-567c-41dd-83b6-48f48bb35971) ### [A Lifelong Journey in Architecture](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/sustainable-residential-architecture/a-lifelong-journey-in-architecture) - ![A look back at my journey in architecture. On the left is a photo from my convocation, and on the right, a more recent picture. It has been a privilege to spend the last 50 years dedicated to designing and advocating for sustainable architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/59c783d9-b781-45af-a196-41fe08b8010b) ## Meet your expert [Ashok B Lall](https://mytribe.in/ablarch) ### My story We’ve been at this since 1980, but really, the roots go way back. I grew up in a big, wild house – always climbing, always discovering new corners. That’s what I want for others too. Whether it’s a home for street kids or a sprawling university, it’s got to feel alive, in sync with nature. Cities keep getting tighter, so we started treating rooftops as new ground – gardens, solar panels, places to meet. It’s about comfort, and building something that lasts. ### My work - **Sustainable and Passive Architecture**: We design low-energy buildings for homes, campuses, and city projects using passive cooling architecture. - **Local Materials and Recycled Elements**: We use site soil for walls, recycled jharokha windows, and always ask—what’s more sustainable than this? - **Future-Proof Homes**: With insulated walls, solar panels, and smart ventilation, our future-proof homes keep your bijli ka bill (electricity bill) super low. - **Courtyard House Design**: Courtyards bring in light and air, inspired by havelis, making spaces cooler and more connected to nature. - **Art in Architecture**: Hand-painted louvers, custom jaalis, and artful touches make our buildings joyful, not just functional. ## More services from Ashok B Lall - [Commercial & Institutional Architecture](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/commercial-institutional-architecture) · ₹100-250 per sq.ft (estimate) - [Green Building Consulting & Research](https://mytribe.in/ablarch/green-building-consulting-research) · ₹2.5-20L per project (estimate) ## Book To book Ashok B Lall, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Sustainable%20Residential%20Architecture%20by%20Ashok%20B%20Lall.)