The strongest trend in Kathmandu residential design right now is a return to the courtyard. Architects are planning homes around a small central light well that cools the interior and brings daylight to circulation spaces.
Exposed dachi appa brick is being used as a rainscreen over insulated concrete, giving the warmth of traditional facades with far better thermal behaviour.
Carved timber lattice is reappearing as sliding privacy screens on balconies rather than fixed windows, so owners keep the view when they want it.
Rooftop use is now a design brief, not an afterthought — solar arrays, water tanks and a terrace garden are being planned together to keep the roofline usable.