Common logic would hold that Townsville born and bred architects would have the clearest insights into building design that makes the most of the Coastal Tropical climate. However, Swiss-born Architect, Felix Riedweg, has a wall in his studio crammed with Climate Sensitive Design Awards.

"I did my architectural training in Switzerland", says Felix, "and this has greatly helped me understand tropical design.

This is because, when I first arrived in Townsville in 1989 and started designing for Townsville conditions, I was forced to question the logic of every single line I drew.

I quickly realised that the entire world of climate sensitive building design was turned on its head in Townsville compared to Switzerland.

"For example, in Switzerland, good design lets the weak northern hemisphere sunlight in and keeps freezing wind out. On the other hand good tropical design keeps the sun out and lets the breeze cool the house.

"However, while these design principles are simple and intuitive and cost no more than the more common designs, they are very rarely seen in Townsville", says Felix.

"This means people pay more to power uncomfortable, inappropriately designed houses and greenhouse emissions go up because of increased coal fired energy consumption", he says.

3 Key Design Elements for the Coastal Dry Tropics