Understanding the temperature gradient in a building is essential in cold or temperate climates, where airtight enclosures and continuous insulation are used to prevent heat loss. However, this approach is not suitable for tropical areas like Central America, where the climate is marked by a consistent alternation between wet and dry seasons rather than four distinct ones. Factors such as proximity to the sea, elevation, and local topography influence microclimates across short distances, but high humidity remains a common challenge. Sealed, airtight walls with no ventilation can quickly become breeding grounds for mold, making the thermal strategies of temperate climates problematic. In response, local designers have developed alternative approaches that embrace, rather than resist, the outdoor environment, allowing airflow and evaporation to manage interior comfort.
These designs create deliberate thermal gradients through spatial transitions. According to research, gradual thermal transitions from the exterior to the interior can improve a subject's thermal comfort in a space. For the houses presented in this article, that principle is usually translated into bioclimatic façade strategies such as shaded terraces, deep overhangs, and balconies that mediate between hot exteriors and cooler interiors. In some of these projects, terraces are placed at the building's core, allowing airflow through multiple facades and under upper floors. Others incorporate shaded, plant-lined entry paths to cool occupants before entering the main living areas. In some cases, rather than relying on insulation alone, some designers used vegetation and elevated structures to minimize solar heat gain and facilitate air circulation. In this way, they sought to encourage natural ventilation and passive cooling to achieve spaces that cool the user down gradually, ensuring thermal comfort with minimal to no mechanical equipment.
