Heat Waves Drive Sustainable Architecture and Rising AC Demand

Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy pioneered climate‑responsive building in the 1940s, using adobe walls, courtyards, narrow streets and wind‑catchers to keep interiors cool without electricity. His New Gourna village near Luxor demonstrated how orientation, natural ventilation and evaporative cooling could replace mechanical air‑conditioning, though later modifications by residents reduced its effectiveness.

In Europe, extreme heatwaves are prompting a sharp increase in air‑conditioning purchases. Spanish firm Satelca reports growing demand across homes, offices, hospitality venues and industrial facilities, emphasizing the need for energy‑efficient cooling and refrigeration systems to maintain comfort, productivity and product quality during longer, hotter summers.