Perhaps the most famous example of the influence of termite mounds in architecture is the Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is the country’s largest commercial and shopping complex, and yet it uses less than 10 percent of the energy consumed by a conventional building of its size because there is no central air conditioning and only a minimal heating system.
Interestingly, if you try to look this building up, there's a lot of information about its design but basically none about how well it works. But at least two Foursquare reviews mention it being cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
So yeah, I'm not fucking surprised that the building with little climate control uses far less energy.
Interestingly, if you try to look this building up, there's a lot of information about its design but basically none about how well it works. But at least two Foursquare reviews mention it being cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
So yeah, I'm not fucking surprised that the building with little climate control uses far less energy.