The short version
- The terminal uses a unique roof design to funnel breezes into the building, reducing perceived temperature by several degrees without mechanical cooling.
- Annual energy savings are estimated at €150,000, with carbon emissions reduced by a factor of eight compared to conventional air-conditioned structures.
- Officials note that this model is difficult to replicate in polluted urban centers or regions requiring strict temperature control during extreme heatwaves.
A new arrivals terminal at Roland Garros airport on the French island of Réunion has opened without any air conditioning systems, relying instead on a sophisticated natural ventilation design. The project, which began planning in 2016, was driven by airport management’s goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Marc Delanoë, who led the environmental and energy team at the time, viewed the elimination of mechanical cooling as a necessary risk to prove that comfort could be achieved through architectural innovation rather than energy-intensive technology.
The building’s structure is engineered to capture and direct local wind patterns. The roof curves upward from the long sides of the rectangular terminal but does not meet in the center, creating an open canyon-like space. This gap generates a low-pressure area that draws air into the building through adjustable vents on either side. Large ceiling fans, each with a diameter of 7.5 meters, help circulate this incoming air throughout the spacious interior.
During the humid summer months, when temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius, the airflow reduces the perceived temperature by four to five degrees. This drop brings the comfort level close to what is typically achieved with standard air conditioning settings. In the drier winter months, when coastal daytime temperatures fall to 25 degrees or lower, less air is allowed into the building. During cyclones, the entire structure is sealed shut to protect passengers and staff.
The design philosophy challenges the conventional assumption that indoor temperature control is the only way to manage heat. Éric Bussolino of AIA Life Designers, the lead architect, stated that the goal was to dismantle the idea that air conditioning is the sole solution for comfort. The objective is to maintain an indoor temperature identical to the outdoors while generating a steady airflow of one meter per second to enhance passenger comfort through movement rather than cooling.
AIA partnered with local architect Olivier Brabant, who brought expertise in designing for Réunion’s tropical maritime climate. Natural ventilation techniques are already used in various local buildings, including offices and university facilities. Delanoë noted that the airport project simply scaled up these traditional methods, drawing inspiration from ancestral building practices on the island that utilized central corridors and adjustable windows to manage airflow based on weather conditions.
The financial impact of this design choice has been significant. The total cost for the arrivals terminal was €75 million, with €60 million allocated to the building itself and €15 million to a new baggage sorting system. Since opening two years ago, the airport has reported annual energy savings of €150,000. AIA estimates that this represents a 60 percent reduction in energy costs compared to a similarly sized air-conditioned building, while carbon emissions have been lowered by a factor of eight.
Staff members working in the terminal have reported positive experiences with the environment. Delphine Robert, who leads the local tourism board’s welcome team, works in the building once a week and prefers it to other offices. She cited the airy atmosphere and optimal ventilation as beneficial for her health, noting that she often falls ill in strongly air-conditioned office environments. The natural circulation of air has made the workspace more pleasant for her.
Despite its success on Réunion, experts caution that this model may not be easily transferable to other regions. Delanoë pointed out that large, polluted cities in mainland Europe would face challenges with natural ventilation, as it could concentrate pollutants inside buildings. Additionally, continental Europe is struggling with increasingly severe heatwaves driven by the climate crisis, which may require more robust cooling solutions than natural airflow can provide. The project remains a specific solution for an island environment with clean air and moderate tropical temperatures.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗‘We wanted to prove we didn’t need air conditioning’: the airport cooled by natural ventilation
