The document describes design strategies for buildings in semi-arid regions with scarce water resources, high temperatures, low humidity, and sparse vegetation. Key strategies include using courtyards to promote cross ventilation and cool interiors; buffer spaces along the south and west facing walls to shelter living areas from heat; minimizing street frontage to reduce surface heating; and using jharokhas, thick mud walls, ventilators, jalis, flat roofs, water features, light colors, and compact neighborhoods to moderate interior temperatures. Local materials like mud blocks, stone, and timber are best suited for construction.

1. Semi Arid Region
scarce water sources
constant hot & dusty winds
harsh sun
high daytime temperatures
low humidity
sparse vegetation
Sandy & rocky savannas
Best suited local construction materials: Mud
blocks, stone, and timber.

3. courtyard
Rooms placed
around a central
courtyard ensure
good cross
ventilation &
natural cooling of
interiors.
Buffer space
Using buffer spaces
like corridors or
storage spaces
towards South and
West faces shelters
livable areas from
maximum heat
load.
exposure
Less street frontage
minimizes surface
heat gain.
jharokhas
Windows shaded
with Jharokhas
prevent direct
sunlight from
heating interior
surfaces. Exterior
windows are small
and window facing
courtyard works
better.
mud
Thicker walls made
of earth bricks,
which are poor
conductors of
heat, provide
insulation from
heat.
Local design

4. planning methods
Ventilators at higher levels allow hot
upper air to escape
Jalis in semi-open areas like balconies
and passages block heat while allowing
light and air to filter in.
Flat roofs finished with white broken tiles
reflect heat and at the same time offer
ample surface area for terrace activities.
Water bodies & greenery in and around
the building are excellent solutions for
passive cooling.
Exterior surfaces of the building are
painted in light colors that reflect light.
Dark colors are avoided due to their
absorbent nature.
Neighborhood buildings benefit from
being closely packed as they can shade
each other