Juxtaposed against the Rajasthan skies is a beautiful farmhouse in the Bhilwara region. Originally envisioned as a mud structure, the building was designed by architect Shreya Srivastava, who decided to wield the region’s abundance of local stone to her advantage. As you can see, its pastel palette complements the surrounding earthiness.

This wasn’t the first time ‘Studio Shunya’ — a firm focusing on zero-energy building designs — defied convention. Shreya points to how there is no dearth of materials to challenge oneself with when you set out with a sustainable vision.

Is it time to do away with fossilised mindsets that once put cement on a pedestal? We showcase some projects that piqued our interest.

1. Stone

Shreya managed to crack the code for keeping the farmhouse cool despite the scorching Rajasthan sun. The answer lay in stone. “Stone walls have high thermal mass, meaning they can absorb, store, and slowly release heat. This property helps in maintaining a stable indoor temperature, reducing heating and cooling costs,” Shreya explains.

You’ll see the farmhouse is a pretty place, hugged by a cool breeze. The source of ventilation lies in the openings around the living area, dining, kitchen, study, and four rooms.

As you move through the property, it becomes evident that sustainability progressively increases in the details. Take, for instance, the Bijolia stone eave that runs along the exterior of the house. “This is supported by refurbished stone brackets taken from a house which was being demolished around the site,” Shreya shares.

About the material: Aside from being a robust material, stone is also cost-effective. “Its local availability eliminates transportation costs,” Shreya says, adding that the material’s tensile strength made cement and reinforcement bars unnecessary. Additionally, stone’s insulation properties make it a good fit for buildings.

Architects, take notes: While lauding it for its perks, Shreya urges architects to refrain from excavating the stone. Instead, she says, superficial stone makes for a good bet. Another thing........

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