As air quality across Indian cities continues to deteriorate, “clean air” has emerged as the new benchmark of luxury living. Beyond amenities and architecture, homebuyers today are evaluating properties through the lens of health, wellness, and sustainability. Developers, in response, are reimagining how buildings breathe literally.
“Air quality has become an especially important talking point for wellness-oriented citizens,” says Hardik Pandit, Director of APICES Studio Pvt. Ltd.
“From a design perspective, factors such as a building’s orientation, window placement, and features that optimise natural airflow—including courtyards, atriums, and wind-catchers are being increasingly considered during the planning and commissioning stages.”
Pandit also points to demand-controlled ventilation systems that harness CO₂ and VO₂ sensors to automatically adjust air circulation in real time. “The use of low-VOC materials, integrated green spaces like green walls and roofs, and smart building systems with air quality monitors are transforming how healthy design is being embedded right into the structure itself,” he adds.
“Homebuyers are particularly concerned about clean air and certified indoor air quality today,” notes Aditya Shah, Director of Mayfair Housing.
“This stems from worsening AQI levels and rising pollution in our cities. Developers are integrating air purification systems, low-VOC materials, and advanced ventilation as standard practice to ensure healthier living environments. At Mayfair Housing, we treat this as a fundamental design element clean indoor air is now a pivotal value proposition shaping buyer preference.”
Shah believes this shift is especially visible in Mumbai, where “certified air quality standards resonate deeply with buyers seeking sustainable, future-ready homes.”
According to Ruchit Mehta, Partner at Mehta Realty, the premium and luxury housing segment is taking this transformation a step further.
“Rising AQI levels have made better air quality non-negotiable. Green spaces are no longer optional they’re must-haves. Some developers are incorporating AQI-controlled recreational areas, barring vehicular traffic at ground level, and even using H14-grade HEPA filters, ion generators, and airlock entryways to guarantee cleaner air.”
Projects certified by green rating systems like LEED, GRIHA, and IGBC are increasingly seen as more desirable investments, he adds.
The appeal of greenery and clean air is no longer about beautification it’s about necessity.
“Homebuyers today are far more conscious of the environments they live in, not just in terms of design and space, but the overall quality of life their surroundings offer,” says Gaurav Mavi, Co-founder of BOP.in.
“With air quality crossing 500 marks in many cities, developers are realising that green design is not an add-on it’s a responsibility.”
A gentle shift is reshaping how communities are built. “Homes are no longer judged only by size or luxury amenities,” says Janardhan Kompally, Founder & CEO of Makuta Developers, Hyderabad.
“Families want living environments that feel peaceful, green, and healthy. Clean air and nature have become powerful reasons to choose a home. Developers are integrating wide green pathways, shaded gardens, plantation zones, and certified indoor air quality standards offering documented assurance of what residents breathe every day.”
The next frontier, experts believe, lies at the intersection of wellness and technology.
“We’re witnessing a larger transformation toward data-driven, connected real estate,” explains Salil Ahuja, Chief Strategy Officer at Shaurrya Teleservices.
“With IoT-based air quality sensors, automated ventilation, and connected monitoring systems, developers can now enhance wellness and transparency—enabled by strong digital backbones. As India moves toward a ‘Digital-First Real Estate’ era, intelligent and healthy buildings will be the true differentiators.”
The Future of Urban Living
As pollution and urban stress reshape buyer priorities, the conversation around real estate has moved beyond luxury to livability. Developers across India are aligning design, technology, and sustainability to ensure every breath indoors feels as clean and safe as it should be. In this new age of “wellness real estate,” clean air isn’t just a feature it’s the foundation of modern living.
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