Designing for a hotter future

Be honest about uncertainty

No one can say exactly how the climate will change in a given place. What we can do is look at the risks that are most likely and most serious, test the design against them and leave room to adapt. We rely on climate data and specialists, and we say plainly when the evidence is uncertain.

Heat first

Overheating is one of the most common risks, in hot climates and, increasingly, in cool ones. We deal with it in this order.

1. Shade. Keep the sun off glass and walls with overhangs, fins, trees and screens. See also Designing for the desert.
2. Mass and insulation. Use thermal mass and good insulation to smooth temperature swings.
3. Natural ventilation. Allow cool night air to flow through, where the climate allows.
4. Outdoor rooms. Provide shaded courtyards, terraces and planting. See also Courtyards.
5. Efficient cooling. Where machines are needed, make them efficient and sized sensibly, on a building that already needs little.

A building that stays comfortable with little help is also safer when the power fails.

No one can say exactly how the climate will change in a given place.

Water: too much and too little

• Flooding. We study flood and drainage risk early, raise key rooms and equipment, and use planting, permeable surfaces and storage to hold rainwater. See also Building on the sea.
• Drought. We choose drought-tolerant planting, collect and reuse water and use fixtures that save it.

Storms, wind, dust and sand

We design structures and façades for the wind loads of the place and for stronger storms. In dusty areas we protect air intakes, seals and equipment.

Keep the lights and water on

Buildings should stay safe and useful when networks fail. We plan backup power for essential services, water storage, natural light and ventilation that do not rely on electricity, and routes and rooms that can serve as shelter. For hospitals, schools and community buildings this matters most.

Choose materials for the long run

Materials will face more heat, sun, moisture and temperature change than they used to. We choose ones that stay stable and can be maintained. See also Choosing materials.

Leave room to adapt

The best design for an uncertain future is one that can change. We use simple structures with spare capacity, space for extra plant and solar panels, and layouts that can be altered. If shade or cooling needs to be added later, the building should accept it.

And do our part

Designing for a hotter future must go together with reducing our contribution to it: lower embodied carbon, efficient operation and reuse. See also Embodied carbon in plain language.

In short

• Be honest about uncertainty.
• Deal with heat by shade, mass, ventilation and outdoor rooms.
• Plan for floods and droughts.
• Keep buildings safe when networks fail.
• Leave room to change.

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