Designing for Ahmedabad’s heat

Ahmedabad summers regularly cross 44 degrees, and many new flats in Bopal, South Bopal and along SG Highway have large west-facing glass that turns living rooms into ovens after 2 pm. The old pol houses of the walled city handled this well, with thick walls, courtyards and jaalis. Some of their ideas still work inside modern apartments.

Start with the windows. Lined curtains in a light colour, hung from the ceiling rather than the top of the window, cut a lot of heat. Better still, fit exterior bamboo chiks or sunscreen roller blinds on west-facing balconies, which stop the sun before it reaches the glass. Inside, a timber or MDF jaali screen in front of a balcony door lets air through while softening the light.

Choose cooler materials for surfaces. Light-coloured vitrified tiles or kota stone stay cooler underfoot than dark wood-look floors. Avoid heavy upholstery in synthetic fabrics in the living room; cotton and linen covers can be washed and are cooler to sit on. Keep the false ceiling simple and leave enough height, at least 9 feet, for ceiling fans to move air well.

Plan for dust too. The city’s fine dust settles fast, so fewer open shelves and more closed storage make daily cleaning easier. Glass-fronted cabinets look lovely but need wiping every week. Finally, plan the electrical points with summer in mind: a dedicated circuit for each air conditioner, provision for a cooler near the balcony door, and a fan in the kitchen in addition to the chimney.