Tempering Temperatures

Dear FuturArc readers,

In some warm-weather countries, taking a siesta or nap in the midday or early afternoon is a common tradition.

“In places such as Spain or Mexico, people traditionally didn’t work during the hottest part of the day. Instead, they were more active at night when it was cooler… this is where the idea of the siesta comes from.”

Philippe Rahm mentioned this in his conversation with us on the topic of climatic architecture. He also said that as the South’s climate is moving to the North, parts of the world could become uninhabitable because it will be too hot and perhaps too humid for humans to survive.

A viable way forward, Rahm suggested, could be to look at how to use certain aspects of weather conditions to shape our living and working spaces, as well as learning how to use certain spaces according to changes in the elements and data from real-time environmental monitoring.

In line with this issue’s theme, this topic is on point with what Ian Tan gathered from four experts in the built environment field who shared with him about how design practice, technology, academia, financial sector and also the larger community can contribute—and have done so—to mitigate climate change impacts, specifically urban heat island effect. Collaboration and clear practical steps are key.

As the heat has been turning up everywhere, what is 31 degrees Celsius on a thermometer could feel like 35 or even 38 degrees Celsius—meteorological reports have begun to state what certain temperatures feel like in addition to what the mercury is indicating.

This feeling like something is the essential point—we do not carry an instrument nor do we need one to tell us how a space, airflow, heat or humidity is making us feel. In matters of human comfort, the direct experience takes precedence. The projects featured in this issue explore how architecture makes occupants feel cooler, more comfortable or at ease, with and/or without mechanical means. They highlight the sensible use of shading, greenery, orientation, cross ventilation, natural building materials and so on.

Speaking of how it feels like, we feel great gratitude to Didi Contractor’s family and Lakshmi Swaminathan for sharing with Nipun Prabhakar glimpses into Didi’s life and architectural wisdom that have touched many lives—and through The FuturArc Interview, we hope to pass on her legacy and message of what it means to live sustainably to future generations of designers and natural builders.