Passive Cooling Strategies for Power Outages in Architecture
With rising power outages attributed to severe heat and pressure on the electrical grid, architects are revisiting passive cooling methods to maintain livable environments without reliance on electricity. The idea of 'passive survivability' is becoming increasingly popular. According to a 2022 analysis by Applied Energy, employing integrated shading and natural ventilation can lower indoor temperatures by 14°C and decrease cooling demands by 80%. A review from 2026 highlights the importance of climate-adapted passive techniques. Significant projects include Jalmanjar Farmhouse (Ahmedabad, India, PYHT—BioArchitects, 2025), Nedarag Guesthouse (Iran, NextOffice, 2026), House of Solid Stone (Jaipur, Malik Architecture), Breathing House (Marsa Alam, Egypt, Karm Architecture Lab, 2023), and Bat Trang House (Hanoi, VTN Architects, 2021). A 2026 study revealed that all apartment designs surpassed thermal-safety limits within 36 hours during power failures.
Key facts
- Passive survivability is the ability of a building to maintain tolerable conditions when systems fail.
- A 2022 Applied Energy study found passive strategies could lower peak indoor temps by ~14°C in Portland during the 2021 heat wave.
- The same study showed up to 80% reduction in active cooling loads.
- A 2026 review of 197 residential studies found passive cooling strategies are climate-specific.
- Jalmanjar Farmhouse (2025) in Ahmedabad uses compressed-earth jali and windcatchers.
- Nedarag Guesthouse (2026) in Iran uses a palm canopy over stone rooms.
- Breathing House (2023) in Marsa Alam has coral-limestone walls 45–60 cm thick.
- Bat Trang House (2021) in Hanoi uses a ceramic facade to avoid AC.
- A 2026 Energy and Buildings study analyzed 6,931 apartment plans and found all crossed thermal-safety thresholds within 36 hours during outages.
- City Park Residence (2025) in Austin responds to Texas power-grid instability.
Entities
Artists
- PYHT — BioArchitects
- NextOffice
- Malik Architecture
- Karm Architecture Lab
- VTN Architects
- Vo Trong Nghia
- Kaushal Tatiya Architects
- HARQUITECTES
- Zyme Studios
- Alterstudio
Institutions
- designboom
- Applied Energy
- Energy and Buildings
Locations
- Ahmedabad
- India
- Iran
- Jaipur
- Marsa Alam
- Egypt
- Hanoi
- Vietnam
- Ahilyanagar
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Yucca Valley
- California
- USA
- Austin
- Texas
- Portland
- Pacific Northwest