It would be useful to adapt the design of the housing structure so that it is cooler in high temperatures than it is at present, without resorting to the use of electricity. The design should be low-cost, sustainable and utilise locally available materials and skills. The new design should not reduce the functionality of the existing structure or increase its cost greatly. The potential for application to similar designs of structures should also be investigated.

The electricity supply to Pabal and Vigyan Ashram is erratic. Daily 8 hour power cuts tend to occur in two 4-hour blocks during the day but additional cuts are common; for example bad weather has caused a 15-day power outage in the recent past. Vigyan Ashram have noticed that power cuts in general conform to a regular pattern. The general pattern is:

Monday 0900 - 1300, 1700 - 2100
Tuesday 1100 - 1500, 1900 - 2300
Wednesday 0500 - 0900, 1300 - 1700
Thursday 0700 - 1100, 1500 - 1900
Friday 0900 - 1300, 1700 - 2100
Saturday 1100 - 1500, 1900 - 2300
Sunday 0700 - 1100, 1500 - 2100

There are also occasional power surges.

When electricity is available, ceiling fans and office-style fans are commonly used to cool the house. Homes normally have at least one ceiling fan, approaching one per room if the family is more affluent. When electricity is not available people use hand-fans or seek shade to rest, as it is too hot to work.

The styles of housing in Pabal are varied and display a progression away from traditional methods involving the use of ceramics, wood, lime, mud and stone towards the more recent concrete and steel construction. Cheaper concrete houses have corrugated metal roofing; more expensive constructions have a concrete ceiling.

Low-cost house/shop

Low-cost roof design (from inside)

Building materials and other resources available in the area are detailed in the engINdia Final Report.