India Today features how landscape and design can keep homes cooler through the perspective of ZHCollective | Habitat Architects. The discussion centres on cooler home sustainable design. The coverage considers climate-responsive residential design and water-conscious landscape planning.

Design perspective

India Today examines how landscape and design can keep homes cooler. Monika Choudhary highlights planting, shade, soil health and careful water management. Together, these measures can improve comfort around a home and reduce heat gain.

Practical considerations

Trees and layered planting intercept harsh sun before it reaches external walls. Shaded courtyards and verandas create cooler transition zones. Permeable ground surfaces can also reduce reflected heat compared with large paved areas.

A wider practice context

Water-conscious landscape planning remains essential. Compost improves soil structure and moisture retention. Efficient irrigation directs water where plants need it, while suitable species reduce unnecessary demand during hotter months. These strategies work best when architecture and landscape are planned together. Orientation, openings and shaded outdoor rooms can support natural comfort. ZHCollective | Habitat Architects treats the landscape as environmental infrastructure and lived space.

What the feature adds

The advice is useful because it connects cooler home sustainable design with decisions people can evaluate in real spaces. Climate, daylight, scale and daily routines change what works. A strong solution therefore begins with observation, then combines technical needs with atmosphere and personal comfort.

How the thinking continues

These principles can guide both new projects and careful improvements to existing homes. Not every change needs to be large. Better placement, material selection or lighting can transform experience. The priority is coherence, so each intervention strengthens the room instead of adding visual noise.

Read the original feature

Read the original India Today feature for the complete original published editorial context. Explore related work by ZHCollective | Habitat Architects, or contact the practice about a relevant project. The official project and practice pages provide further detail on the team’s work. Together, these sources show the design approach, its built application and the wider portfolio across architecture, interiors and landscape.