Why some in Himachal are returning to traditional Kath-Kuni homes | Building For A Warmer World

As temperatures rise across the Himalaya, how well can traditional homes protect people from the heat?

In Himachal Pradesh, some families, builders and architects are returning to Kath-Kuni, a traditional construction technique that uses interlocking layers of timber and stone. These thick walls and locally adapted building methods have long been associated with the region’s seismic resilience.

Now, their performance in a warming climate is attracting renewed interest. For Asha Thakur, living in both a traditional Kath-Kuni and a concrete house has shaped her decision to rebuild her home differently with master mason Bhagat Ram, who has spent 25 years learning and practicing the craft.

Can this old building tradition offer solutions as Himachal gets warmer?

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