Best Architect in Nepalgunj | Vastuveda Designs

Designing for Nepalgunj's heat

Nepalgunj regularly records some of the highest summer temperatures in Nepal, with pre-monsoon days well above 40°C. In a city like this, the way a building handles the sun decides whether it is comfortable, and the electricity bill follows. Vastu and good climate design point the same way here, and we use both.

Let the south and west take the heat

Vastu asks for the heaviest, most solid part of the house in the south-west. In Nepalgunj we turn that into a thermal buffer: the staircase, stores, toilets and the overhead water tank line the south and west walls, with small, deeply shaded openings. The living room, puja room and main windows face north and east, where the light is softer.

Roof, shade and air

• A ventilated or insulated roof, light-coloured roofing and a shaded terrace stop the top floor from overheating.
• Deep chhajjas (sunshades) and verandas protect walls and windows.
• Cross-ventilation through every main room, with a stair void or skylight that draws hot air up and out — which also keeps the Brahmasthan, the centre of the house, open as Vastu prefers.
• Thicker or cavity walls on the west, where the afternoon sun is strongest.

Monsoon and ground conditions

Low-lying parts of Banke can flood in heavy monsoons, so we check the plot's history and set the plinth above the highest water level. The soils are alluvial and the water table may be shallow, so a soil test comes before the foundation design. Every building is engineered to the Nepal National Building Code, including NBC 105 for earthquake resistance.

A trading and transport hub

Nepalgunj is the commercial centre of Banke and the gateway for flights into Karnali, so much of the city builds for business: shops with homes above, hotels and guest houses, offices and warehouses. We separate the business and family entrances, place the cash counter in the south-west facing north or east, and plan hotel reception and arrival to the north or east with the kitchen block in the south-east.

Permits and costs

We prepare the drawings for the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City building permit as part of the design, with setbacks and height worked out for your road width. For construction rates, see the house construction cost guide and the Banke construction cost page.

Working with us from Nepalgunj

Our studio is in Chabahil, Kathmandu, a short flight away. We visit for the on-site orientation reading and at the key stages of design and construction, and work by video call and WhatsApp in between. Start with the free online Vastu check, or send us your plot details.