This bricks is specially made for , new purpose. Salvaged country bricks are transformed into a sloped roof designed to fight the heat and follow the wind — a roof that doesn’t just shelter, it responds to where it stands.
Project Name: Brick Roof Residence
Studio Name: Kogis Architecture
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Client Brief & Challenges
The client wanted a traditional-style home with a Madras terrace roof — naturally cool in summer, no air conditioning, completed in just seven months. Rather than a standard flat terrace, we developed an experimental sloped brick roof.
A physical demo model was built to test and finalize the concept with the client. Salvaged bricks, mud, and oxide finishes were chosen for their natural cooling properties, though long curing times made the tight timeline demanding.
Design Approach
The building’s form and massing follow sun and wind analysis. Openings are minimized on the east toward the taller neighboring building and enlarged on the opposite side. A tunnel-like high-level air inlet and sloped roof work together through the stack effect to push heat out and draw cool air in. Mud and reclaimed fire bricks reinterpret the Madras terrace for better thermal performance. Inside, walls are reduced to columns and built-in seating, with a linear courtyard and steel staircase keeping the space open and air moving freely.
Impact & Conclusion
The Brick Roof Residence proves that thoughtful design can outperform mechanical cooling — even in one of Tamil Nadu’s hottest cities. Rooted in tradition, tested by experiment, and built with salvaged materials — it stands as a quiet but confident alternative to the air conditioner, and a model worth repeating.
