Our climate, craft traditions and way of living should shape the materials we build with. A short guide to the palette we return to.
Materials set the mood of a home long before furniture arrives. In India's climate they also decide how hot a room gets, how it weathers in the monsoon and how much maintenance it will demand.
We often pair exposed or textured concrete with warm timber. Concrete brings thermal mass that keeps interiors cooler through the day; timber brings warmth to the touch and the eye.
Natural stones such as Kota, Jaisalmer and granite are local, durable and beautiful when honed rather than polished. Lime plaster lets walls breathe and ages with a soft patina.
Above all, we let daylight do the work. Deep overhangs, jaalis and courtyards temper the harsh sun so that simple, honest materials can glow.
