Cooling Cities, Rethinking Futures

As cities confront intensifying heat and escalating climate pressures, cooling is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. But in this moment of urgency, the question isn’t just how we cool, but what kind of urban life we make possible in doing so. Curated under the theme Cooling Cities, this conversation brings three forward-thinking studios who are reimagining the built environment as a tool for restoration and resilience. From passive cooling systems and autonomous energy strategies to materials rooted in place and tradition, their work champions solutions that are low-impact, high-performance, and community-driven. This isn’t just about temperature, it’s about rethinking the relationship between people, place, and climate. With a focus on shaded courtyards, breathable façades, and shared green spaces, these practices offer models for livable cities that prioritise wellbeing without compromising density or design. In doing so, this conversation reclaims cool as a deeper pursuit, one that lies not in aesthetics alone, but in designing cities that care, respond, and endure.