A nearly four-decade-old home in Delhi designed by Vijay’s father stays remarkably cooler than the city’s intense summer heat without relying on air conditioning. Sharing their story brought widespread attention to simple, climate-conscious building methods and sustainable lifestyle choices.
- Home remains over 10°C cooler without AC
- Built with climate-smart design nearly 40 years ago
- Couple grows 200+ plants, composts waste, uses solar power
What happened
Anita and Vijay’s home in Delhi, constructed using natural cooling principles by Vijay’s father nearly 40 years ago, gained public attention after being featured by The Better India. Unlike typical urban residences relying on air conditioning, this house uses an open central courtyard, cross ventilation, insulated ceilings, air ducts, and cool Kota stone flooring to reduce indoor temperatures significantly.
The viral story sparked widespread curiosity, leading to numerous messages and conversations about sustainable living. Media coverage from leading outlets further amplified their message, transforming the couple’s personal choices into a national dialogue on climate-sensitive housing solutions.
Why it feels good
The story resonates because it offers practical hope amid rising temperatures and energy consumption concerns. Instead of expensive, energy-heavy technologies, simple architecture choices aligned with nature’s patterns demonstrate we can create comfortable homes while respecting the environment.
Anita and Vijay’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the building itself. Their terrace garden, which includes over 200 plants producing herbs, fruits, and vegetables, fosters a self-reliant lifestyle. Their approach to composting kitchen waste, harvesting rainwater, and using solar panels shows that small, intentional habits can collectively build a healthier planet.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore how Anita’s terrace kitchen studio, Khwabghar, brings harvested garden ingredients into cooking workshops that connect sustainable food growing with meal preparation. These experiences can inspire more people to integrate gardening and healthy eating into their daily routines.
For those curious about creating climate-smart homes, consider researching design elements like open courtyards, cross ventilation, and natural materials tailored to your local environment. Anita and Vijay’s story invites everyone to rethink their living spaces, balancing comfort with environmental responsibility.