Feel the breeze
There are more ways to keep cool than cranking up
the air conditioning, as architects in more temperate climes have been discovering for years. From naturally cool materials to clever ways to harness wind and shade,
here are 10 shortcuts to a breezier building.
By
Nolan Giles
The world is getting warmer and ever more urban, so the heat is on to build cities in smarter and more sustainable ways. But how can you create infrastructure that keeps people cool, even in the tropics, without relying on energy-hungry air conditioning?
Thankfully, there are plenty of proven design ideas out there to help. Developed by pioneering architects in steamy places across the world, these cool designs work with mother nature rather than against her. It’s architecture that channels the breeze, offers room for greenery and encourages us to live outdoors as much as possible. And it is available to admire in places as disparate as Hawaii and Milan, as our round-up of rules for keeping cities cool highlights.