We don’t often feature residential projects, but for Cielo we’re making an exception. Located in the heart of Nagpur, Maharashtra, Sanjay Puri Architects‘ almighty Cielo rises as a compact, climate-conscious building. Designed on a modest 900 square metre site, the 12 storey structure delivers a total buildable area of 3,600 square metres, shaped by local regulations and client requirements. Mandatory open spaces on all sides limit each floor to 270 square metres, creating an intimate footprint that maximises both comfort and efficiency.
Each floor houses a single four bedroom apartment, with three bedrooms positioned on three corners and the kitchen occupying the fourth. This layout encourages cross ventilation in every room, while the central living spaces become the natural hub for social interaction. Balconies extend from each main room — one open, one screened — mitigating heat gain in Nagpur’s punishing summers; where temperatures routinely soar above 40°C for eight months of the year.
The building’s signature feature is its sectionally curved screens, which alternate horizontally and vertically across the façade. These screens provide shaded outdoor spaces, reduce heat exposure, and form a sculptural rhythm along the elevation. They also reference the region’s architectural heritage, where screens have been used since the 17th century to control light, airflow, and privacy.
Cielo is conceived as a naturally ventilated, energy-conscious home. The solar panel roof, water-harvesting systems, and screened envelope work together to reduce the building’s lifecycle carbon footprint and lessen air-conditioning demand. The design transforms environmental challenges into opportunities for comfort, sustainability, and visual drama.
Construction commenced in August 2021 and, after nearly four and a half years, Prestige Builders completed the project in January 2026. Spanning 38,750 square feet, Cielo exemplifies how careful planning, climatic responsiveness, and architectural craft can coexist in a densely urban setting.
Here, sustainability meets sculptural elegance to create a residence that balances privacy, comfort, and energy efficiency, while celebrating local architectural heritage in a distinctly contemporary form.
Cielo Nagpur Photography, Mr. Vinay Panjwani via v2com.
