Chhajja
Projecting eave / sunshade
Born in Across India.
How it works
A cantilevered ledge over windows cuts high summer sun while admitting low winter sun, and throws monsoon rain clear of the wall. A passive, geometry-tuned sunshade.
In a modern home
Calculated horizontal overhangs and 'eyebrows' sized to latitude and sun angle; balcony slabs doubling as shades.
What it answers
Source
Paul Oliver, Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World (1997); Vinod Gupta on climate-responsive Indian vernacular.
Follow the threads
Overhanging balcony & deep verandahshares overheating, no shading, west wall heat→Wetted vetiver screenshares overheating, no shading, glare→Buffer & transition spacesshares overheating, no shading, heavy rain→Narrow shaded streets & self-shading massshares overheating, no shading, block & filter the sun→Orientation & inward-facing plansshares overheating, west wall heat, block & filter the sun→Broken-tile reflective roofshares overheating, block & filter the sun, cool→