# Jali Screen in Indian Construction

> A jali screen is a carved or perforated screen that cools and shades a building. See its origins, a Rajasthan office example and how an RFP prices a package.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/jali-latticework/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

A carved or perforated screen, traditionally of stone or wood, that ventilates and shades a building while keeping privacy.

## What is Jali (Latticework / Perforated Screen)?

A jali is a carved or perforated screen, traditionally made of stone or wood, with roots in Indo-Islamic architecture. Modern Indian construction recreates it in precast concrete, [brickwork](https://superwise.site/glossary/brickwork/), terracotta or CNC-cut metal. A jali lowers indoor temperatures by compressing the air that passes through its holes (the Venturi effect), and it filters harsh sunlight while keeping privacy.

## Practical example

An architect designing an office building in Rajasthan wants to cut air conditioning loads. Instead of flat glass facades, the architect specifies a secondary facade of Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) jali screens. The screens cool the skin of the building and throw patterned shadows indoors.

## In SuperWise

In SuperWise a team can send an [RFP](https://superwise.site/glossary/request-for-proposal/) for a jali package to several contractors, with the drawings and specifications attached. Contractors open the RFP in the vendor portal with an access code and price each [BOQ](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/) item in a proposal. The proposal comparison view lists the rates side by side, and awarding one proposal fills the [work order](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/) lines with its rates.

[For contracts and purchase](https://superwise.site/professions/construction-contracts-and-purchase/)

## Related terms

- [Brickwork (Chinai)](https://superwise.site/glossary/brickwork/)
- [Request for Proposal (RFP)](https://superwise.site/glossary/request-for-proposal/)

## Related
- [Brickwork (Chinai)](https://superwise.site/glossary/brickwork/)
- [Request for Proposal (RFP)](https://superwise.site/glossary/request-for-proposal/)
- [For contracts and purchase](https://superwise.site/professions/construction-contracts-and-purchase/)