Hawa Mahal: Palace of Winds

• Hawa Mahal is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• It is one of India's most recognizable architectural marvels.
• The five-story palace was built in 1799.
• Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh commissioned the building.
• Lal Chand Ustad designed it.
• Hawa Mahal is also known as the "Palace of Winds."
• It was constructed to allow the royal ladies of the court to observe street festivals and daily life while remaining unseen.
• This adhered to the traditions of purdah.
• The honeycomb-like facade features intricately designed jharokhas (windows).
• Hawa Mahal is a significant landmark in Indian architecture.
• The overall layout is a well-planned structure based on Rajputana architectural principles, blended with Mughal influences.
• The palace sits at the edge of the City Palace, extending to the women’s chambers or Zenana.
• Rising five stories tall, it comprises over 953 small, meticulously carved jharokhas and windows.
• The narrow passageways, arched corridors, and small chambers were designed with a clear focus on privacy and ventilation.
• Despite its grand appearance, Hawa Mahal is a rather narrow building, just one room deep in most parts.
• The unique design ensures cross-ventilation, providing a cool breeze through its windows, which is essential during Jaipur’s hot summers.
• The facade resembles the crown of Lord Krishna.
• It exemplifies how functional planning can be seamlessly combined with aesthetic principles.
• The structure is built with pink and red sandstones outlined with white borders.
• The windows are constructed for air circulation, preventing inner heat dissipation and maintaining comfortable room temperatures.
• It is a five-story building with a pyramidal shape.
• The height is 15 m (50 ft) from the base.
• The top three floors are of one room dimension width.
• The first and second floors have patios.
• There are 953 windows.
• The structure looks like the honeycomb web of a beehive when viewed from the street.
• Small windows are constructed for perfect airflow.
• Hawa Mahal uses passive cooling techniques, though it requires regular maintenance,
• Wind energy is used to keep the palace cool from the inside.
• Airflow and ventilation are well-adjusted to circulate air throughout the palace.
• Wind energy is recognized as a renewable resource.
• The venture effect and the path of air are critical features of passive cooling.
• The entering and exiting positions of the wind should be well-established for proper air circulation. Hawa Mahal serves as an excellent example.
• Warmed air rises, while cool air descends, maximizing the phenomenon within Hawa Mahal.
• There is a large open area at the back, provides an exit for air. Jantar Mantar can be seen from here.
• The wind cycle contributes to the lower temperatures of Hawa Mahal.
• Entry and exit points for air should be organized both cleverly and technically to maintain this cycle.

Methods of passive cooling

• Aperture involves managing sunlight radiation, beneficial in winter but very uncomfortable in summer, by adjusting the size, position, and dimensions of doors/windows.
• Reflective Surfaces involves painting or attaching a reflective surface to the structure. Sunlight is reflected , keeping the interior cooler.

Passive cooling Techniques

• Vegetation implementations on the walls cause thermal insulation
• Planting vegetation such as plants and trees near or on the building is a passive cooling technique.
• Vegetation can increase airflow and humidity, resulting in a cooler effect.
• Shading devices are adjusted to restrict sunlight in summer and allow it in winter.

Solar Control

• Solar control is achieved by decreasing the temperature of the inner house, it is essential to control the sunlight which is entering the house.
• The position and size of doors and windows should be adjusted according to the sun's orientation.
• Glazing affects the penetration of sunlight, potentially reducing heat entry by 11–17%.
• Insulating the inner wall with south-facing glazing can prevent heating.
• A microclimate refers to the climate of a limited area.
• It is influenced by its surroundings, nearby objects, and natural activities.
• Concrete, brick, cement, and sand absorb heat which causes reflection and temperature increases, which is undesirable in summer.