Beyond Cement: How Indian Architecture is Embracing Sustainable Materials

Business Remedies | Charu Bhatia |  Urban India is slowly but steadily turning towards sustainable architecture. Architects are experimenting with eco-friendly alternatives to cement, aiming to reduce environmental impact, enhance energy efficiency, and support local craftsmanship. These projects show how traditional materials like stone, wood, bamboo, and recycled plastics can combine aesthetic appeal with functional durability, while promoting local skills and reducing carbon footprints.

Stone: Timeless Sustainability
The Lala Kamalapat Singhania Public School (LKSPS) in Nimbahera, Rajasthan, is a perfect example of preservation meeting innovation. Built in the 1970s, the school recently saw the construction of a new primary wing by Gurugram-based R+D Studio. The architects retained the essence of the original stone masonry, using local Nimbahera stone and stucco to seamlessly connect the new structure with the 65-year-old blocks.
Shridhar Rao, the architect, explains, “Stone masonry is highly sustainable because it can be reused without losing integrity. Unlike concrete or synthetic materials that degrade or require energy-intensive recycling, stone blocks can be repurposed with minimal processing.” Stone also serves as a natural climate regulator, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.

Stylistically, stone offers incredible versatility. Raw, rugged stone celebrates rustic authenticity, while finely dressed stone can create precision and elegance. Patterns such as random rubble, ashlar, or composite masonry allow architects to craft visually striking designs. Importantly, stone construction also generates employment for local communities, preserving traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.

Architects’ Tip: Not all stones are equal. Granite, porphyry, marble, limestone, sandstone, and slate each have distinct technical properties, hardness, density, porosity, which determine strength, weather resistance, and maintenance. While stone is sustainable, extraction and transport methods define its true environmental footprint.

Recycled Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Panels
EPS panels are a lightweight, cellular plastic material composed of 98% air, offering excellent thermal insulation. At the Unity Mall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, architect Nilofer J of U-Sphere used recycled EPS to create a lightweight, thermally efficient building envelope.
The EPS panels were reinforced with welded wire mesh and finished with shotcrete on both sides, producing a durable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient wall system. “EPS panels resist moisture, maintain indoor coolness, and perform reliably in humid conditions,” Nilofer notes. They also enable faster construction and lower structural loads compared to traditional walls.

Architects’ Tip: When using EPS, careful attention must be paid to panel joints to avoid thermal bridging, air leakage, or water ingress. Proper detailing ensures long-term performance.

Wood, Bamboo, and Local Stone: Supporting Communities
The Market Plaza in Champawat, Uttarakhand, designed by Compartment S4, celebrates sustainability while supporting registered self-help groups (SHGs) and local artisans. Using wood, bamboo, and stone sourced within a 50 km radius, the project minimizes transportation-related carbon emissions.

Architect Monik Shah highlights additional benefits: “Using traditional techniques and local materials addresses issues like youth migration, declining crafts, and the vulnerability of poorly constructed buildings to natural disasters.” The structure integrates passive strategies such as natural ventilation and insulation, reducing external energy demands. Its pinned joints also enhance seismic resilience, demonstrating how sustainable architecture can be both eco-friendly and structurally sound.

A Shift in Urban Design Philosophy
These examples underscore a broader trend: urban India is increasingly open to materials beyond cement. From the timeless durability of stone to innovative recycled plastics, and the local relevance of wood and bamboo, architects are finding ways to merge environmental consciousness with design excellence.

By embracing these materials, projects not only reduce carbon footprints but also create livelihoods, revive traditional craftsmanship, and showcase the aesthetic possibilities of sustainable architecture. For Indian cities striving for resilience and sustainability, these projects offer a roadmap, one where innovation, culture, and ecology coexist harmoniously.
Source: The Better India