... a modern Western home, which is "contained". Another very evident aspect of design is the use of local materials. Adobe is the primary method of construction for every building type. The lack of trees and large stone quarries makes this choice quite obvious. The added bonus for this material is its ability to work as thermal massing: insulating and storing heat during the day and releasing heat and blocking cold at night. This comes into play because of the lack of moisture and humidity; where in the days reach 120 degrees and at nights the temperatures plunge to 40. Small window openings also help in this task. Another feature not noticeable from the outside are the one to two level basement areas of the buildings. These underground places remain at an almost constant sixty to seventy degrees. Sometimes "wind catchers" aid in this cooling. These towering forms aren't in every ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now