Passive Buildings, Active People

Interior design and architecture are converging as issues of climate change and dwindling natural resources increasingly call for integrated design solutions. At the first Metropolis Tropical Green conference Bruno Stagno, principal of Bruno Stagno Architect in Costa Rica, a firm specializing in bioclimatic and tropical architecture gave the speech “Passive Buildings, Active People,” which explores the values and urgencies of building in tropical zones. Local values, balancing consumption, and active user participation are aspects of building that come in at every level of the design process. Add to this specific interior considerations such as blinds that promote cooling and the architect’s speech takes on even greater resonance.

Bruno Stagno is the principal of Bruno Stagno Architect in Costa Rica, a firm specializing in bioclimatic and tropical architecture. His work focuses on bringing new typologies and technology to environmental and community planning. He is the author of several books and the recipient of many awards including six Biennale Principal Claus Award for Culture and Development (Holland). He is the founder and director of the Institute for Tropical Architecture.

To download the full transcript in PDF format, click here.

To download the Metropolis CE Participant Exercise for 0.2 credits, click here.