How to design-build an eco-friendly and low-cost urban mud house

It is easy to design and build an eco-friendly and low-cost mud house. Cost of mud house was less than Rs 17 lacs in 2007.

This video is about Veena Lal's house built within her organic farm. She is a firm believer in sustainable architecture and designing habitats for optimum use. She has applied the same for her own house and went ahead with the decision to build with mud. After years of research, travel, and a global pandemic, the house was finally complete in 2021. It is built from 70% sun-dried mud bricks (adobe bricks) and 30% fired bricks, cement, and stone.

Architect designed the house in a 'plus' shape to open each space to at least 2-3 open sides and allow maximum ventilation in the house. The house was supposed to be built completely in mud but due to maintenance issues, one leg (comprising all the utility spaces such as toilets, staircase, bathroom and wash area) was built in fired bricks and cement. The whole house is designed to keep water consumption and water flow in mind. Hence, all the water is channeled naturally towards 2 sets of banana trees that soak up the water and its nutrients.

Air conditioning is not required as the house is well ventilated and maintains the temperature inside the house. This is also because of the thick mud walls and mud floors that insulate the house well too. The backside faces the north and is used in summers, while the front side faces the south and is thus used in winters.

According to Contractor of house, "The house should be like a set, where life can take place. It should blend as much as possible. It shouldn't stand out. The house shouldn't be an identity in itself. It should just provide a space for that person's life to happen." Also, for her sustainability meant, "you do whatever is possible from your side and then a little more. There is no 1 end goal. There is always a spectrum."