Climate-Responsive Architecture and Passive Design

For the Indian Oil Tanking Ltd. office in Sohar, Oman, I used a simple palette of stucco and wooden screens to respond to the desert climate. The design balances the need for shade with the desire for natural light and views.

This facade features operable wooden louvers and concrete forms, allowing users to modulate sunlight and airflow. This is a low-tech, high-impact strategy I use to create comfortable and energy-efficient buildings.

The shadow of a palm tree plays across the facade of the Sohar office. The wooden screen, or 'mashrabiya', is a modern interpretation of a traditional Islamic architectural element, providing privacy and shade while allowing ventilation.

This facade in a hot climate uses a combination of deep-set arched openings and vertical concrete fins. These elements create a shaded arcade at ground level and filter the high-angle sun on the upper floors, demonstrating a layered approach to climate modulation.

Fine horizontal louvers provide a delicate screen against the sun while preserving the view out to the landscape. The reflection on the polished floor doubles the perception of the lush greenery outside.

This building uses vertical wooden slats for both the facade and the boundary fence. This creates a unified architectural language and acts as a continuous screen that filters light and views, providing privacy from the street.

A carefully composed window at the Sohar office frames a view of the industrial landscape. This act of framing creates a deliberate connection to the building's context and purpose.

A combination of glass, bamboo screens, and wooden louvers creates a rich, layered facade. This approach allows for maximum flexibility, giving users control over their immediate environment.

The facade of this building is animated by adjustable wooden shutters. This dynamic system allows the building's skin to change throughout the day in response to the sun's path and the needs of the occupants.