Jali walls have been part of Indian architecture for centuries, and they are showing up in fresh ways in today’s residential design. Architectural Digest India highlights nine homes where these lattice-like screens do more than look good. They reduce harsh sun, encourage cross-ventilation, and help interiors feel comfortable with less reliance on air conditioning.
Several of the featured projects lean on traditional masonry mass and smart openings. In Delhi’s Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, one home pairs thick masonry, grand arches, and jalis to bring in air while keeping the building’s presence solid and private. In Kerala, another bungalow uses jali walls alongside locally quarried laterite blocks, a material choice that also contributes to insulation, while clay tile roof layers help handle heavy monsoon conditions.
For mason contractors, the details in these homes are the real story. One Gujarat house uses 18-inch-thick brick cavity walls and a jali pattern that required extra on-site guidance, including hands-on demonstration of the brick bond technique. The architect also introduced concrete bands at window sills and lintels to stabilize and strengthen the brickwork. Elsewhere, a family home relies on tall brick jalis that rise about four metres, with interlocking standard brick and jali brick used to reinforce stability.
Other examples show how jalis can solve practical problems without defaulting to metal grills. A home designed for privacy uses multiple rectangular jali variations in brick and occasional metal to control views while letting daylight in. In Goa, a brick jali and central stair help drive passive cooling through cross-ventilation, including the Venturi effect.
Across all nine homes, the takeaway is clear. When the masonry layout, bond pattern, and reinforcement strategy are coordinated early, jali work can deliver comfort, durability, and standout craftsmanship.
Read the full, original article from Architectural Digest India (subscription required at source) here.