Written by: Saram Maqbool
Posted on: September 21, 2023 | 
| 中文
Haveli Nehru Laal Singh in Lahore
Standing in a haveli's (a traditional house in the Indian subcontinent, often with a courtyard) delicately ornamented courtyard surrounded by carved woodwork and arches that have seen countless seasons, inspires a feeling of awe. What makes entering such a Mughal masterpiece pleasant, even though it's something intangible that many people wouldn't notice at first, is the sharp difference in temperature from the outside world. The cool breeze that never seems to stop even when there is no breeze outside, is not out of coincidence but a result of ingenuous planning. It stems from a marvel of architectural ingenuity that transcends time and captivates the soul, a result of the passive cooling architecture of the enchanting havelis of the Mughal era.
Mughal era haveli restored and converted into Vivaana Culture Hotel, Rajasthan
Heating or cooling a space passively means not relying on electromechanical or active solutions like using air conditioners (AC), heaters or fans. Passive temperature control methods make use of materials and geometry, among other aspects of design, to maximize and/or minimize natural elements like wind and sunlight, as needed. This leads to longer-lasting structures that have a lower carbon footprint over their lifetime and rely on less electricity. It’s a win-win situation, really, but the sad thing is we’d rather put an AC in our home than invest in good passive design solutions.
Courtyard of Haveli Mubarak Begum in Lahore
Imagine a world where air conditioning was but a distant dream, where combating the relentless heat and searing sun required more than just technology, it demanded innovation and a profound understanding of nature. The Mughal architects, with their visionary brilliance, conjured structures that stood as a testament to their mastery over the art of passive cooling. The Mughal Empire, renowned for its opulent monuments, brought forth architectural marvels such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. These edifices, in addition to their grandeur, were designed with the wisdom of passive cooling in mind. The terraced layouts of the magnificent gardens were not mere decorative elements but rather a strategic means to harness the cooling power of earth and water. The water channels of the Chaar Bagh design philosophy facilitated evaporative cooling, offering refuge from the sweltering heat. The white marble so prevalent on the floors of such sites, reflected light and kept itself cool to the touch.
Taj Mahal in Agra, India
While arches and domes are symbolic of their architectural beauty and prowess, they too had a crucial role in passive cooling. Every architect is taught in a sustainability class that hot air rises due to a lower density than cooler air. The high ceilings and strategically placed openings allowed this hot air to rise and escape, drawing in cooler air from lower levels, hence creating a slow breeze so closely associated with courtyard spaces. Speaking of courtyards, one cannot help but be enchanted by the havelis built around them. These stately mansions embody the essence of passive cooling in domestic architecture. The central courtyard of a haveli, often surrounded by rooms on all sides, became the epicenter of coolness. The surrounding rooms acted as insulation, preventing the scorching sun from penetrating the core of the building. Water features and fountains adorned these courtyards, their shimmering waves serving as both ornamentation and natural coolants.
Haveli Barood Khana in Lahore
The havelis’ architecture also featured wooden jharokhas, window or door with overhanging enclosed balconies, with delicate latticework, serving as climate control devices. They allowed inhabitants to enjoy the outdoors while remaining sheltered from the sun's harsh rays. The latticework, with its intricate patterns, filtered sunlight, casting enchanting patterns on the floors and walls. But it goes beyond even that. The latticework also helped air enter the rooms at a higher speed than the outside, which would explain the magic of feeling a sudden burst of air as one passes by a traditional wall with holes or latticework, especially when there's no discernable breeze outside.
The Mughal style traditional wall with holes or latticework
The architecture of the Mughal Era also relied on very thick walls. One would imagine this was for structural integrity, and they would be partly right. However, the lesser-known use of such structures is two-fold. During hot summers, thick brick walls help keep heat at bay. The same walls help keep the internal heat trapped inside too, creating warmer spaces during winters. Now, take all of that information and compare it with today’s architecture. We’ve wrapped ourselves so tightly around modernity that we’ve forgotten how to design buildings for our climate. Large glass walls and low roofs have become a norm at this point, heating up our homes and necessitating the use of air conditioners.
Conversely, the passive heating and cooling design of Mughal-era architecture and havelis reminds us of the wisdom that our ancestors possessed. In a world that grapples with climate change and environmental concerns, it serves as an inspiration, beckoning us to revisit the wisdom of the past and incorporate it into our future. These architectural wonders are not just relics of history, they are living embodiments of sustainable design and timeless beauty.
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