studio aashraya
Residential

The Veranda Villa

Location

Gaya, Bihar

Area

3,200 sq ft

Year

2024

Status

Completed

8°C cooler indoors

Passive Strategies

  • Wrap-around veranda acting as thermal buffer zone
  • High ceilings (14ft) with clerestory windows
  • Green roof insulation reducing heat gain
  • Rainwater harvesting integrated into design

Materials

Local SandstoneReclaimed TeakClay TilesLime MortarJute Fiber Insulation

Story of the Home

The Problem

A retired professor wanted a home that honored Gaya's architectural heritage while providing modern comfort. Conventional builders proposed generic RCC structures that ignored the region's climate.

Design Approach

Drawing from Gaya's historic havelis, we designed deep wraparound verandas that create shaded transition spaces. Local sandstone walls provide massive thermal inertia, while high clerestory windows enable hot air to escape naturally.

Outcome

The home has become a model for climate-responsive living in Gaya. Indoor temperatures stay below 32°C even during peak summer, and the professor hosts architecture students eager to study vernacular adaptation.

Want a similar home?

Let's discuss how to bring this kind of design thinking to your plot in Bihar.

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