| From the OP "Historically, a cool building in a hot climate implied thick walls, high ceilings, balconies, courtyards and windows facing away from the sun." New Orleans is one of the clearest examples of this hot and humid specific architecture[0]. In that picture the second floor balcony represents roughly the height of the 1st floor ceiling. The many doors like porticos, can be opened on the shaded side of the building allowing for air flow. You see this style all over the city. Apart from reflective coatings on glass in high rises and office buildings and the occasional Leed certified building trying to save on energy usage, you don't see much architectural consideration for the climate. This is especially true in office buildings (in the U.S. anyways) built 1900-1950 or so with blocky brick buildings in which the central rooms have little natural ventilation[1] [0]https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9459548,-90.0658908,3a,75y,2... [1] http://forgotten-ny.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/01/e149stbus... |
