Wadas are the traditional residence in Maharashtra and the Wada architecture evolve under the reign of Peshwas. The style has a mix of Mughal, Rajasthan, and Gujarat architecture combined with local construction techniques.

A wada was typically a large building of two or more floors with groups of rooms arranged around open courtyards. Many middle class families lived in one wada whereas richer people built one wada for their own family.

The design of a wada was influenced by the social and cultural norms prevailing at the time than the climatic factors.