--- title: "Natural Light Architecture: Sustainable Home Design by Chetan Shivprasad" description: "Discover sustainable architecture with Chetan Shivprasad. See how natural light, terracotta, and clever design create healthy, energy-efficient homes in Bengaluru." canonical: https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/mastering-light-materials last_updated: 2025-09-04 --- # Mastering Light and Natural Materials Tribe Verified · Sustainable home designs across India By [Kham Design](https://mytribe.in/kham_design) · Projects across India; Visit Studio in Chamrajpet · ₹350 per sq.ft (estimate) Part of [Sustainable Residential Architecture](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/gallery) I do not just build roofs; I sculpt with sunlight. By using local terracotta and thoughtful skylights, we create homes that breathe, cool naturally, and change character with the rhythm of the day. ## Photos and videos - ![This graphic explains my approach to lighting design. By prioritizing natural light and using it intelligently, we create healthier living environments and reduce electricity bills for our clients.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/82506901-6496-4abf-a199-795f2e543bc6) - ![A perfect example of my philosophy in action at the Shashidhar Residence. The combination of a terracotta jali screen and a skylight naturally cools and illuminates the interior, reducing the need for artificial lights and air conditioning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a779cbea-55b8-4251-a26b-2931aaee1f2c) - ![A skylight is more than just a window on the roof. When designed correctly, it becomes a source of natural light, a mood enhancer, and a tool for passive cooling by allowing hot air to escape. This image shows a creative skylight design that doubles as a sculptural element.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d969e5d9-0d19-4221-8c37-7c627b8d6943) - ![This graphic explains the benefits of using terracotta. It's a natural, local, and breathable material that helps stabilize temperature by absorbing and slowly releasing heat, and it gives a warm, soft glow to natural light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6f14288a-9dc0-4479-b0db-fe81d14d8965) - ![A beautiful terracotta jali screen at the Gifty Residence, viewed from below. This traditional element is used to create privacy, allow for cross-ventilation, and cast intricate patterns of light and shadow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/69984bb3-4228-4702-be80-6a6942ac5eb7) - ![A stunning view of the sun shining through a patterned skylight at the Raghavendra Residence. This is a perfect illustration of how a structural element can become a primary source of beauty and dynamism in a space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cb23cffa-391c-41f7-bc5b-728530932730) - ![The play of sunlight through a terracotta jali screen at the Shashidhar Residence. The combination of the patterned screen, glass blocks, and stone-finished ceiling creates a rich and textured interior space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7c4b3b84-5cb9-43ab-9303-056f5b1766e2) - ![This image highlights the use of skylights to bring natural light into interior spaces that have limited access to windows. The circular colored glass adds an artistic touch to the light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d849152-6961-4478-8068-db0e35a9935b) - ![A quote that perfectly captures my belief about sustainable design. It's not just about minimizing our negative impact, but about actively creating buildings that do more good for the environment and for the people who inhabit them.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/031b22c0-0b9d-4857-9045-ec64629f5529) - ![The sun peeking through a terracotta jali screen. This simple yet effective technique allows for natural light and ventilation while maintaining a degree of privacy, a key feature of climate-responsive architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e37548d-fd2c-4f61-ac29-65cdd6cb61d0) - ![An artistic skylight installation that acts as a centerpiece for the room. The suspended colored discs interact with the sunlight, creating a constantly changing light installation below.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8336b5cc-9ee8-4b22-b998-dcae91f1611d) - ![A view of a mezzanine level illuminated by skylights set into a ceiling with exposed terracotta filler slabs. This combination of techniques creates a space that is both structurally efficient and aesthetically warm.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b0b34b4a-b789-47fa-a753-5e20bc260bd3) ## About Mastering Light & Materials Instead of just placing windows, we use terracotta jali screens and strategically positioned skylights to control how light enters your home. This does more than illuminate; it creates a passive cooling system that naturally keeps your interiors several degrees cooler than the outside temperature, significantly lowering your electricity usage. ### Architecture as a Sensory Experience When we talk about 'Arivu'—my approach to sensing a space—light is the primary tool. It is not just about brightness; it is about rhythm. A static room feels dead. A room where the light shifts, dances, and changes intensity as the sun moves across the sky feels alive. ### The Mechanics of Natural Light We achieve this through specific, technical interventions: * **Skylights & Light Wells:** By cutting through the roof, we draw light into deep, interior rooms that would otherwise be dark. These aren't just glass panels; they are designed to exhaust hot air, turning the ceiling into a ventilation engine. * **Terracotta Jali Screens:** These are functional filters. They break harsh direct sunlight into a soft, diffused glow while maintaining privacy. Because terracotta has high thermal mass, these screens also absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, regulating the temperature. * **Material Texture:** We avoid materials that create glare. Rough-cut stone, exposed brick, and terracotta flooring absorb light rather than bouncing it back in harsh reflections. This texture adds depth to the light patterns on the walls. ### Why This Matters for Your Home Most modern city homes rely on artificial light throughout the day, which creates a 'closed' living environment. By incorporating these techniques, we reconnect your home to the outside. You wake up with the sun and wind down as the light fades. This is not just a design aesthetic—it is a fundamental shift in how you inhabit your space. Whether we are working on a dense urban plot in Bengaluru or a remote farmhouse, the goal remains the same: a home that works with the sun, not against it. ## About Kham Design I am Chetan, and for me, architecture is about listening—to the site, to the sun, and to your story. When we talk about light and materials, we are not just selecting finishes; we are crafting the sensory experience of your daily life. [See all of Kham Design's services](https://mytribe.in/kham_design) ## More from Sustainable Residential Architecture by Kham Design - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/featured) - [The Architect's Vision](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/the-architect-s-vision) - [Client Conversations](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/client-conversations) - [Raghunath Farmhouse, Kotagiri](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/raghunath-farmhouse-kotagiri) - [Urban Residences](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/urban-residences) - [From Sketch to Structure](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/from-sketch-to-structure) - [Aurinko Academy: Architecture for Learning](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/aurinko-academy-architecture-for-learning) - [Future Visions & Inspirations](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/future-visions-inspirations) ## More services by Kham Design - [Residential Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/residential-interior-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Homes That Breathe: Sustainable Design in Bangalore](https://mytribe.in/absolutearchitectsdesigners/architectural-design/homes-that-breathe) by Absolute Architects & Designers · Architectural Design · Projects across Bengaluru; Visit Studio at Banaswadi - [Architecture Defined by Light and Shadow](https://mytribe.in/maya_architects_bangalore/residential-architecture-interior-design/details-in-light-shadow) by Maya Architects · Residential Architecture & Interior Design · Visit Studio in Mahalakshmi Puram; Projects across Karnataka - [The Art of Light & Material](https://mytribe.in/collage_architecture_studio/interior-design/the-art-of-light-material) by Collage Architecture Studio · Interior Design · Visit Design Studio in Kasturi Nagar; Projects across Bengaluru & Hyderabad - [Climate-Responsive Home Designs and Sustainable Architecture](https://mytribe.in/studio.naadi/architectural-design/climate-responsive-homes) by Studio Naadi · Architectural Design · Studio in Kasturi Nagar; Projects across Karnataka & Kochi - [Weaving Light and Shadow: Sustainable Home Design](https://mytribe.in/sathyaconsultants/sustainable-educational-community-architecture/weaving-light-and-shadow) by Sathya Consultants · Sustainable Educational & Community Architecture · Projects across Bengaluru & Hyderabad; Visit Studio in Banashankari - [Natural Light Architecture and Design in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/studio.bhoomi/sustainable-architectural-design/sculpting-with-light) by Studio Bhoomi · Sustainable Architectural Design · Takes projects across Bengaluru; Visit Design Studio in Narayana Nagar ## Book To book Kham Design, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Chetan%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20'Mastering%20Light%20%26%20Materials'%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20how%20to%20bring%20similar%20natural%20lighting%20into%20my%20home.)