Amid severe pollution, this Delhi home maintains AQI of 10-15 with 15,000 plants

Unlike typical homes, the property does not rely on paint or plaster. Traditional construction methods have been used, with bricks bound together by lime mortar instead of cement, and lime is employed in place of modern paints.

In Short

• Eco-friendly design excludes paint, plaster, and concrete
• Home operates off-grid with solar power and rainwater collection
• House grows organic food using compost from stubble

Amid the smog-choked streets of Delhi, where the air quality index (AQI) frequently crosses the 300 mark, one home stands as a beacon of environmental sustainability.

Located in the locality of Sainik Farms in South Delhi, the residence of Peter Singh and Nino Kaur has managed to maintain an astonishingly low AQI of just 10-15, thanks to an unconventional yet ingenious design that incorporates over 15,000 plants and advanced self-sustaining techniques.

In a city grappling with severe pollution, this home is a rarity. Unlike typical homes, the property does not rely on paint or plaster. Traditional construction methods have been used, with bricks bound together by lime mortar instead of cement, and lime is employed in place of modern paints.

Even the roof, rather than a concrete slab, is covered with stone tiles. This environmentally friendly approach helps regulate the temperature inside, making the house significantly cooler during the scorching Delhi summer months.

The presence of so many plants - each one contributing to cleaner air - ensures that the indoor air quality remains pristine, with the AQI inside the home consistently below 15.

The couple's dedication to self-sufficiency goes beyond just clean air. Powered by solar energy, their home operates entirely off-grid, reducing their reliance on external power sources.

Water conservation is another key feature, with the house collecting rainwater in a 15,000-litre tank for plant irrigation. Water is carefully recycled, ensuring that no drop goes to waste.

What's truly remarkable, however, is the home's ability to produce its own food. Peter and Nino don't need to buy vegetables from the market.

They grow their own, organically and sustainably, year-round, and this is a practice that they hold dear. Even in a city plagued by stubble burning from neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, which contributes significantly to Delhi's air pollution, the couple has found a way to utilise this stubble.

By mixing it with organic compost, they create fertiliser to grow mushrooms within the house.

The story of this unique home is rooted in a personal struggle. Peter recalls how his wife, Nino, was diagnosed with blood cancer, and after undergoing chemotherapy, her weakened lungs were struggling to cope with the city's toxic air.

One doctor advised them to leave Delhi, but another, an Ayurvedic specialist, urged them to adopt a completely organic lifestyle. After a brief stay in Goa, where their son had purchased a house for them, they returned to Delhi with a new resolve - to transform their own home into a healthy, self-sustaining sanctuary.

Today, the couple's home stands as a living testament to the power of green living, combining ancient techniques and modern sustainability to create an oasis in the heart of one of the world's most polluted cities.