In the sprint toward modernization,developing countries in the hot and humid tropical regions are producing "glass box" buildings at a remarkable rate.Rarely mentioned in this quest is the loss of vernacular design and associated passive strategies.Changing expectations about air-conditioning and comfort as well as a lack of information about successful design strategies may explain part of this trend.An example countering this trend is the Davidow House,located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.It was widely published in the architectural press as an "airy pavilion" - but how does this house actually perform? Almost 15 years later,is the house still naturally ventilated? Are the occupants indeed comfortable? Can we predict comfort using scale models?
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