The Clay House
Location
Patna, Bihar
Area
2,400 sq ft
Year
2024
Status
Completed
Passive Strategies
- Cross-ventilation corridors aligned with prevailing winds
- Thick earthen walls for thermal mass
- Overhanging chajjas reducing solar heat gain by 40%
- Internal courtyard acting as thermal chimney
Materials
Story of the Home
The Problem
A family of four living in Patna's extreme summers faced electricity bills exceeding ₹8,000/month for cooling alone. Their concrete apartment offered no respite from the 45°C peak temperatures.
Design Approach
We designed a home using compressed earth blocks with high thermal mass, oriented to capture the dominant southeast winds. Deep verandas and chajjas shade the walls during peak sun hours, while an internal courtyard creates a stack effect for natural cooling.
Outcome
The family now enjoys a consistently 6–8°C cooler interior without AC during most months. Their cooling bills dropped by 40%, and the home has become a neighborhood landmark for sustainable living in Bihar.
Want a similar home?
Let's discuss how to bring this kind of design thinking to your plot in Bihar.
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