9 Practical Tips For Achieving Energy Efficient Construction

Did you know? According to India’s Ministry of Power, buildings account for nearly 40% of the country's total energy consumption. The need for energy efficient construction has never been more urgent. As climate change accelerates, responsible architecture isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. At Auroma Architecture, our visionary Principal Architect, Trupti Doshi, has dedicated over 25 years to pioneering design that merges ecology, culture, and human comfort. Based in Pondicherry, Architect Trupti Doshi has redefined how we perceive buildings — not as lifeless shelters, but as living, breathing organisms. Here’s how you can make your next project a beacon of sustainability.

1. Passive Solar Design: Let Nature Do The Work

Before investing in gadgets and green labels, start with something profoundly simple — the sun. Orientation, shading, and window placement can reduce heat gain by over 70%. Architect Trupti Doshi leverages climate-responsive planning, using courtyards, overhangs, and thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures. This allows homes like Gratitude EcoVilla to remain cool without depending on artificial air conditioning. This is where clean energy construction begins — by not needing energy in the first place.

2. Harness Cross Ventilation

In many of our projects, including the Auroma French Villaments, we orient buildings to harness natural wind currents. Cross ventilation isn’t just about placing windows opposite each other — it involves understanding local wind patterns, adjusting the building footprint, and using porous materials. It's a passive way to cool the building and improve indoor air quality.

3. Choose Energy Efficient Building Materials

Material choice defines a building’s carbon footprint. We’ve found that local, low-embodied-energy materials like lime, earth, fly ash bricks, and reclaimed wood outperform industrial materials in both sustainability and aesthetics. For example, the Sharanam Convention Centre uses bricks made from excavated pond soil — eliminating the need for fired bricks. The use of energy efficient building materials doesn’t compromise elegance; it amplifies it.

4. Minimize Artificial Lighting Through Daylight Optimization

Natural light enhances mood, reduces energy bills, and elevates spatial quality. Our designs optimize daylight through skylights, reflective surfaces, and architectural elements like jaalis (perforated stone screens). Why use electricity when the sun is free?

5. Water Is Energy Too

Few realize that water pumping, heating, and purification consume significant energy. Our designs integrate rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and bio-digesters. Projects like the School for Integral Education use calibrated tanks to show children the impact of each drop — merging education with conservation.

6. Insulation Doesn’t Mean Western Methods

In tropical climates like Pondicherry, insulation needs are different. Thick earthen walls, shaded verandahs, lime plaster, and Mangalore tiles perform better than synthetic insulation. Our work shows how traditional methods can meet modern expectations. This is true energy efficient construction — inspired by culture, not corporations.

7. Reduce and Replace Cement

Cement is one of the highest CO₂ emitters. Architect Trupti Doshi has consistently reduced its use across projects. In Sharanam’s 4,500 sq. ft. roof, only 33 bags of cement were used — compared to several hundred in conventional construction. Alternative methods like lime, rammed earth, and CSEB blocks (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks) are not just substitutes; they are superior in thermal and ecological performance.

8. Integrate Clean Energy Systems

Once you’ve optimized the building envelope, supplement with solar energy. At Auroma French Villaments, rooftop solar panels power lights and fans while solar water heaters reduce heating demands. Combined with passive design, this defines the soul of clean energy construction.

9. Design for Disassembly

True sustainability goes beyond use — it considers end-of-life. Trupti Doshi’s projects use joinery that can be dismantled, recycled, or returned to the earth without waste. Even our flooring uses natural oxides and lime, eliminating toxic adhesives. A well-designed building becomes a gift to future generations.

The Trupti Doshi Difference

Why choose Architect Trupti Doshi?

• Recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme
  

• Awarded the Woman of Pondicherry by Dr. Kiran Bedi
  

• TEDx Speaker and India’s global voice for sustainable design
  

• Over 25 years of pioneering energy-responsible architecture
  

• Hands-on collaboration with clients and communities
  

Whether it’s an eco-resort, institutional campus, or a soulful home, her work regenerates ecosystems, elevates the human spirit, and fosters community — not just construction.

Ready To Build Intelligently?

Don’t settle for buildings that cost the earth — literally and metaphorically. If you're considering a new project or retrofitting an old one, we invite you to experience the Auroma Architecture philosophy. To book a personal consultation with Architect Trupti Doshi, please visit our contact page and fill out the form. Our team will connect with you to schedule an appointment and discuss how we can co-create your vision.

This article is brought to you by Auroma Architecture — specialists in energy efficient construction, clean energy construction, and energy efficient building materials — under the leadership of Architect Trupti Doshi, Pondicherry.