In recent years, India has seen a resurgence of interest in natural building materials, a movement driven by escalating environmental concerns and a growing desire to revive traditional lifestyles. From the busy streets of Mumbai to the serene villages of Kerala, architects, builders, and communities are coming together to experiment with the potential of earth, bamboo, lime, and other organic materials in shaping contextually relevant structures that also embody India’s contemporary ideals. The shift towards using natural materials and other vernacular resources reflects a movement towards sustainability and a deeper connection with nature.

Traditionally, vernacular Indian construction practices were circular and highly in tune with the local climate and ecosystems. A desire to emulate Western countries drove these practices to near extinction, with occasional cases being witnessed in rural regions of the country. Cities cropped up bearing industrially constructed structures that could house the nation’s burgeoning urban populations. As the pendulum swings back from this extreme shift in the built landscape, motivated by global green goals, a desire to return to their roots has invited a renaissance of natural construction in the country.

India’s diverse geography, climate, and cultural practices have given rise to a wide array of natural building materials and methodologies specific to different regions. From adobe and thatching in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana to bamboo construction in the northeast states of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, each region showcases a unique blend of tradition and sustainability. Other methods like rammed earth in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, stone with mud mortar in Uttarakhand, and cob construction in Madhya Pradesh exemplify the rich tapestry of natural building practices in India.

While a renewed interest has been observed in the country’s builtscape, the Indian architecture community is far from seeing widespread adoption and acceptance of natural construction, especially in its urban areas. Despite their long-standing history in the country, natural building materials have faced societal stigma due to misconceptions about their durability, maintenance requirements, and affordability. “Building with natural materials such as earth, lime, wood, and bamboo has been a practical choice for rural India for centuries”, shares Raghav Kumar of Tiny Farm Lab – a rural circular design, research, build, and innovation studio in the woods in Rishikesh, India, “The key obstacle to working with natural materials is its societal image linked to poverty”. Government policies echo this language, initiating affordable housing schemes as the transformation of “Kutcha” houses to “Pucca” – or strong, durable – houses, the latter usually indicating construction in concrete and steel. “Kutcha” houses are characteristic of transient settlements or rural life, something to be left behind in pursuit of a “dignified city life”.

Indian architecture is inherently contextual, reflecting the essence of its surroundings. “Through my extensive travels across India, I’ve realized that vernacular architecture truly embodies the essence of the country’s design language. One cannot help but notice the dynamic changes in architecture, cuisine, culture, people, and climate every few kilometers traversed in India”, shares Areen Attari, co-founder of the Mumbai-based bio-architecture practice Put Your Hands Together. Traditionally, houses were perceived as extensions of individuals themselves. However, with industrialization came a rapid adoption of Western influences, with Mumbai often likened to New York.