As climate change continues to challenge construction practices worldwide, Sikkim, a northeastern state in India, offers innovative solutions for sustainable building in cold climates. These solutions are particularly relevant to the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, where temperatures can drop below freezing, and terrain conditions challenge conventional construction methods.

Design for Cold Climates

The Himalayan region poses unique challenges for architects and builders, especially in areas where the weather is harsh, and the terrain is rugged. Two significant projects in Sikkim — Khangchendzonga State University and the Vrindavan Dham eco-tourism complex — showcase how thoughtful design can create comfortable, energy-efficient buildings that blend traditional wisdom with modern technology.

Innovative Building Features

The buildings incorporate several key features that work with natural conditions rather than against them.

Heat-Smart Surfaces: Roads and pathways are paved with black tar felt, which absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. Similarly, thick concrete walls with gravel panels act as thermal batteries, storing warmth for later use.

Windows Designed for Efficiency: A carefully designed window-to-wall ratio of 20–30 per cent ensures natural light without excessive heat loss. The special glass chosen for windows balances light transmission and heat retention.

Water Management: Leveraging glacier water and utilizing small canals around buildings to manage water flow, these projects combine modern water treatment systems with traditional water management techniques.

Technology Meets Tradition

These projects seamlessly integrate traditional knowledge with modern technologies. Heat pumps replace conventional heaters, and ventilation systems have been designed to provide fresh air while minimizing heat loss. The use of local materials further supports sustainability.

The lessons from Sikkim’s sustainable building practices are not just relevant for India but for other regions worldwide facing similar challenges. The approaches used in these projects could be especially beneficial for neighbouring countries like Bhutan, which shares similar geographical and climatic conditions.

Policy Pathways for Sustainable Building

To scale these sustainable building solutions across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, several key policy recommendations can be looked at.

Building Codes and Standards: Region-specific building codes should be developed that focus on thermal performance and passive solar design for cold climates.

Material Standards: Guidelines for locally sourced materials and thermal insulation should be established.

Financial Incentives: Tax incentives, subsidies for green heating/cooling systems, and financing schemes for mountain regions can help promote sustainable building practices.

Capacity Building: Training programmes for architects and builders on cold-climate design and sustainable building practices should be implemented.

The success of these projects proves that sustainable buildings in cold climates are both technically feasible and economically viable. By adopting supportive policies and practices, governments can accelerate the transition to energy-efficient, climate-resilient infrastructure in mountain regions.

Key Takeaways

There are several takeaways from building sustainably in the region. These include focusing on passive design elements that reduce energy needs. Locally available materials can be utilized in innovative way along with implementation of water management systems. Amalgamation of traditional knowledge and modern technology and designing buildings for year-round comfort can be the key. Creation of supportive policy frameworks for sustainable building practices and investment in capacity building and knowledge sharing is another important enabler for sustainable building.These insights from Sikkim offer a roadmap for sustainable infrastructure development in challenging environments. They demonstrate that with appropriate policies, careful planning, and innovative design, we can create buildings that are both comfortable and environmentally responsible.

The success of these projects, supported by enabling policies, suggests a promising path forward for sustainable development in mountainous regions. As climate change continues to pose new challenges, such adaptive and resourceful approaches to building design become increasingly vital. #

Priyanka Kochhar is the Chief Executive Officer of The Habitat Emprise. This article is based on implementation data from projects by The Habitat Emprise in Sikkim, India.