Sustaining comfort practices 25more socially progressive architecture. Designers such as Jason Pomeroy are
among those that have embraced vertical and rooftop gardens as an integral
feature of high-rise construction (Pomeroy 2014). As a passive cooling method,
the implementation of a green roof can absorb large quantities of solar energy,
with the majority being soaked up by the plants and layers of substrate below
(Kamarulzaman et al. 2014, p. 2). The aim is to lower the surface temperature
of buildings and reduce the load on HVAC systems and thus the energy required
to keep occupants cool and comfortable. Targeting both large-scale commercial
architecture and domestic environments, heavy investments are also being made
into the development of an infrastructure of indoor-comfort-smart technologies.
As part of the emergent economy of the “internet of things” products such as
“Nest”, “Tado”, and the “Ambiclimate” all promise to offer users a more fine-
grained control of their thermal surroundings, and incorporate features that
respond to the daily rhythms of occupants and the external weather (see Ambi
Climate 2015). Interestingly, the home has become a key site of innovation for this
bourgeoning sector. By tying into smartphones and “smart” control panels, these
devices allow home owners to access usage information, change temperatures
of different rooms, set location sensors to turn the device on or off, and create
opportunities for energy savings (Nest 2015; Tado 2015).
Many further examples of innovative architectural design and air-conditioning
technologies could be cited here, but in the limited space available, the themes of
“green architecture” and smart technologies are noted to illustrate and acknowledge
some key initiatives that will have a positive contribution in countering the energy
consumed from electronic air conditioning in Asia in the coming years. In what
Figure 2.3 Urban Greening, Singapore
Photo by Tim Winter