Climate Centred Design for Desert Environments Series: Vernacular building techniques for low energy climate control

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Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026 Time: 10 to 11 am / 2 to 3 pm GSTThe built environment in the Gulf faces increasing challenges due to environmental changes, from significant annual te mperature increases to rising sea levels in coastal regions. In response to these climate changes, the architecture of the region must respond and adapt through climate-sensitive design. This webinar explores how vernacular architecture in the region responds to arid environmental conditions—solutions which are increasingly relevant today. We’ll analyse the restoration and creative reuse of traditional features, integration of local materials, and ways to harmonise these elements with contemporary design. Explore how reimagining time-tested methods can inspire sustainable architecture for the future, and functional applications for your practice. This course forms part of the wider Climate Centred Design for Desert Environments Series. For more information about the series, click learn more.Learning OutcomesBy the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Understand vernacular building features and how to utilise them in modern design to address climate challenges Recognise how traditional building materials can support climate control in contemporary building design Understand how best to implement these vernacular features in contemporary designs Translate vernacular climate-responsive principles into scalable, repeatable design strategies for contemporary application SpeakerSandra Woodall, tangramGULF, Director Sandra is a Fellow of the RIBA who has lived and worked in the Gulf for over 30 years. She is the Design Principal of tangram's MENA region studio, who delivered their first KSA project in 1995. She co-founded the RIBA GULF Chapter’s Sustainable Development Series to empower and better equip us all to meet the challenges faced in delivering locally grounded solutions to the UN’s SDGs.Please noteEach recording will expire 12 months after enrolling onto the module For more information on this course, or if there are no places available, please email us, or call +44 (0)20 7307 5355 to talk to a member of the team. Please view the Terms and Conditions for more information. Show more