Long before air-conditioning, builders in the tropics knew how to keep a room cool. Their strategies were never lost — just overlooked.

Shade first

Deep eaves and verandas keep the sun off walls and glass. In a hot, humid climate, the cheapest unit of cooling is the one you never need.

Let the air move

Cross-ventilation needs openings on two sides of a room and a clear path between them. It sounds obvious, yet most modern floor plans make it impossible.

We test every plan for airflow early, while walls can still move. It is the single decision that most affects how a building feels — and what it costs to run.