At the arrivals terminal at Roland Garros airport on Réunion island, visitors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows framing the lush green mountains. Instead of air conditioning, the terminal is cooled by a light tropical breeze, the result of natural ventilation built into its unique design.

The genesis of the project was in 2016, as part of a wider effort by airport management to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. Marc Delanoë, the airport’s sustainable development director, was determined from the beginning that the new arrivals terminal would not use air conditioning. "I took on the responsibility to prove to my management that not using air conditioning was feasible," said Delanoë.

The roof curves upwards from each side in gentle waves, ending abruptly to form a "canyon". The creation of an area of low pressure funnels wind into the building through vents. Ceiling fans with a 7.5-metre diameter help circulate the air. In the 30C humid heat of Réunion’s wet summers, the resulting breeze reduces the perceived temperature by four to five degrees.

Since opening two years ago, the airport has saved €150,000 a year in energy bills. The building’s lead architect, AIA Life Designers, said it wanted to challenge the assumption that adjusting temperature was the only way for humans to cope with heat.