Cool Designs for Hot Climates: The Latest Trends in Desert Architecture

Deserts don't seem like logical places to build homes and lives. The image of a person trudging through the sand, looking for water, comes to mind.

That’s not what most desert conditions are like. They are habitable but not always ideal.

The good news is that today, it's possible for architecture to make even those harsh spaces a bit more enjoyable to live in – without having to turn the air conditioning up.

Think more of a design and style that can reduce the impact of the desert on the internal climate of the home or business. 

The desert landscape is stunning in its simplicity and beauty. Architects have mastered methods for creating desert homes that push the boundaries of these environments It’s possible to live and thrive in challenging settings. It may even be stunning to do so.

Consider traditional desert house design

Traditional desert house design focuses heavily on the use of protection. It’s the shade factor. 

Stone, thick walls, and tile floors all create a sense of cooling in a very hot and dry environment. Covered patios and modern air conditioning systems pumping cool air into spaces. 

Before the days of air conditioners, people were dealing with high temperatures in other ways. We see this significantly in Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. They used wind towers to control temperatures within spaces. Covered patios and courtyards created important shade. Marble and other stone tiles helped to minimize heat passing into homes from the outdoors.

No technology needed. Just great architects who used structure to shade properties. 

Photo by Ernest Brillo

Modern desert home designs

Desert modern architecture has transformed the way people live in these environments. It is not simply about using more air conditioning to make these environments more enjoyable. 

Instead, consider the use of other strategies that create incredible improvements to quality of life. They don’t hurt the environment in the process easier. Here’s what we’re seeing in desert architecture.

Transitional spaces

Hot, sweety people walking into a cool space isn’t ideal. Instead, think transition, the movement from high heat to cooler temperatures in a more stepped down fashion.

The use of better insulative windows, perhaps floor to ceiling in their expansiveness, enables a transition from the heat of the desert to the more relaxing indoors. 

The inclusion of exterior corridors helps to improve air circulation throughout the space. 

Then, when temperatures fall at night, stargazing on rooftop terraces makes it possible. 

This exact structure was built in Reno, Nevada, by OPA. It pays homage to the desire to enjoy modern, contemporary architecture with all of the frills of incredible views and climate control. This design trend relies heavily on the use of modern technologies and materials. These materials transfer heat. 

African and South American desert structures

Desert building is rather new in the U.S.   But it's been the way of life in many areas of South America and Africa. Today’s modern desert home adds in the technology. 

Don’t forget about what worked the best in areas where tech isn’t as accessible. Functional simplicity is a catchphrase that applies here. 

That, along with a modern approach, creates stunning spaces that make the best use of these arid climates.

Properties Around the World Utilizing Modern Desert Landscaping and Architecture at the Best

There are many examples of how desert climates can limit people and their quality of life. But you also have some amazing spaces built to modern standards that make the outdoors in these environments more enjoyable. 

Here are some examples.

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center

Located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this marvel was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. It’s a very geometric, modular structure designed to allow for further expansion over time. It mitigates the heat through its unique patterns and structural shapes, which naturally improve circulation of air. 

What’s fascinating about this property is that it’s built specifically to require less energy demands than typical European homes. It achieves this with its angular prows that make a structural statement in the otherwise flat landscape. The patterns are beautiful. At the same time, they incorporate Islamic culture into the space. 

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture 

Located in Gharb Al Dhahran, Az Zahran, Saudi Arabia, in the heart of one of the most prominent deserts, is the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. This space looks as if an ancient rock structure suddenly appeared from the ground. 

It’s definitely a visual statement. But it uses that stone as a natural way to reduce heat. 

Made of concrete and stainless steel, it has five "pebbles", or objects that glisten in the sun. They’re not just there to catch your eye. They are reflecting away heat. With a number of individual buildings linked together, this property captures a stunning, sleek look while also working to make the habitat far more enjoyable.

Butterfly Pavilion 

Quite the spectacle for all of the right reasons, the Butterfly Pavilion in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, provides a transformational experience. It actually involves the creation of a butterfly conservatory. For people, it’s a recreational space. 

The style and green benefits come from its brightly coloured roof. The roof is not just designed for beauty but also to provide important shade and funnel hot air over the building's edifice. 

The property also uses water to help cool air flowing into the space. It also was designed to withstand the high winds. With the high-gloss gold paint on the exterior, it can handle salty air, sandstorms, and very high heat. It also reflects away the heat.

Zain Tower 

Located in Sudan, the Zain Tower has an intricate design that is specifically capable of reducing heat and improving temperatures within. Its design creates impressive results. 

As it climbs into the sky, it twists, creating a very distinctive look. This multi-layered exterior helps to regulate the temperatures within the building. The twist and multiple layers also help the property manage the high risk of windstorms in the area. It’s a marvel to see and feel as you walk through the area.

The property has other impressive features, including transparent laminated louvres. These help to form a barrier from the sun's rays. It also features brass mesh with arabesque motifs. This adds to the durability of the structure while adding visual value to the space at the same time.

ReYard House

Located in Ben Guerir, Morocco, the ReYard House was designed to not only temper the intense climate here, but also to do so in an energy efficient and environmentally friendly manner. 

Air conditioning is anything but environmentally friendly. At this location, it's not even something to worry about. 

Designed by Turkish design students, the space uses local materials and a micro-algae technology to develop a structure that’s both beautiful and incredibly effective at mastering the environment’s rough conditions.

The Rules for Modern Desert Building Design

Desert modern architecture can be an exceptional challenge but also an invigorating opportunity to incorporate technology and modern resources into projects of all types. 

It’s not like you’ll build a towering spiral building in your next project. There are practical ways to make desert architecture work.

There are a few “rules” to follow to ensure modern desert home architecture resonates.

1. Make the environment the highlight

Desert modernism does not hide the desert but instead allows for unobstructed views of it. A popular strategy to do this, especially in the U.S. and other modern regions, is to incorporate glass walls and windows. This enables exteriors to come into the space while still providing effective climate control. 

2. Incorporate outdoor aesthetics within the space

To create a true modern desert home, architects need to bring the earthy tones and colours of the outdoors into the space. Use natural materials, including granite and wood, to mimic the exterior surrounding spaces. Orange, yellow, and pink are all fantastic colour choices because of their presence within the local environment.

3. Utilize natural materials 

Though manufacturer materials are beneficial, especially if they offer a way to reduce overall energy consumption, natural materials fit the environment the best. Look to steel, plastics, and moulded plywood to be more of the less-modern elements in these spaces. Couple that with natural stones and wood to create a beautiful space.

4. Utilize modern technology to enhance outcomes

Modern technology and energy-efficient systems help contribute to the desirability of any arid environment. Utilizing materials that have been enhanced and refined to be less energy-driven can help offset the need for air conditioning systems. 

5. Design for the environmental complexity

In all of the examples of homes and buildings built in desert conditions, the style and function of the building revolve around the area's conditions. From towering structures that allow for ample airflow to the use of shade structures that do not detract from the beauty of the area, it's possible to utilize architectural design methods to transform spaces.

The modern desert home is one that creates the ideal environment for thriving within this arid space. No matter the location around the world, architects and designers have the opportunity to transform spaces to make the desert not only a livable space but one that people want to be a part of and live in the long term.