Ancient Indian Construction Techniques Make a Modern Comeback for Safer, Sustainable Homes
India boasts some of the world's oldest structures, including the iconic Charminar, Ajmer Fort, and numerous temples that have stood tall for centuries. These historical marvels were constructed using organic materials such as lime mortar, burnt clay bricks or terracotta, jaggery, black gram, fruit pulp, sand, and water. These ingredients not only provided immense strength but also acted as natural waterproofing agents, while enhancing plasticity and binding capabilities.
Blending Old and New for Enhanced Safety and Durability
Today, these ancient building methods are experiencing a resurgence in India's real estate industry. Developers are increasingly incorporating mud and rammed earth, clay tiles, and locally sourced materials into construction projects, combining them with modern innovations. This judicious mix of ancient and new-age techniques is proving vital for improving the safety, durability, and strength of residential developments.
This trend gains urgency as nearly 61% of India's landmass is now classified as moderate to high seismic hazard zones, up from 59% previously, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards. Simultaneously, 75% of India's population resides in seismically active regions, as per the country's new seismic map, underscoring the need for stronger, more resilient structures.
Neelu Jain, Director at SNN Raj Corp, emphasizes the importance of durability and the necessity of reviving these traditional construction techniques. The movement is also driven by rising construction costs, climate change concerns, and evolving government policies focused on sustainability and long-lasting builds.
Luxury Homebuyers Lead the Charge
Luxury homebuyers are at the forefront of demanding robust structures built in harmony with nature. From stone walls to fly ash bricks and thick walls with clay tile roofing, developers are exploring every avenue to meet this demand. This represents a critical juncture for the industry, where the growing adoption of these blended materials and techniques serves as a proof point for their broader application across projects of all price ranges.
India adds 300,000 to 400,000 apartment units annually across its top seven cities, with demand continually expanding. This necessitates sustainable and durable construction methods to ensure quality builds. Additionally, Indian cities have warmed by approximately 0.53°C per decade on average over the past two decades (2003–2020), according to a study titled "Urbanisation and regional climate change-linked warming of Indian cities." This trend encourages developers to innovate, keeping homes sustainably sound, structurally robust, and cost-effective.
Global property consultant JLL, in its "Construction Cost Guide, India 2025" report, highlights the increasing contribution of premium (apartments priced between Rs 1.5–3 crore) and luxury (apartments priced above Rs 3 crore) segments to overall sales. Together, these two segments account for over one-third of total sales, reflecting a shift toward higher-quality, durable housing.
Innovation and Partnerships on the Rise
The Indian real estate sector is witnessing a surge in industry-academia collaborations. A growing number of developers are partnering with educational institutions such as:
- TERI School of Advanced Studies, Delhi
- Department of Civil Engineering and the Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia University
- National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR)
These partnerships aim to develop sustainable construction materials, create high-performance nano-enhanced concrete, and support startups in this domain. These initiatives are particularly significant given India's commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2070 and the evolving preferences of homebuyers.
As India aspires to build metropolises on par with New York, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, these innovative approaches—melding ancient and modern construction techniques—play a pivotal role in erecting structures that will power the growth of future cities. They offer long-term benefits to homebuyers, developers, and investors, including accelerated property and rental values, along with low maintenance costs, creating a win-win scenario for all stakeholders.
