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Short abstract:

This paper analyses two DFG-funded research projects on climatic conditions in West African courtyard houses from the 1970s, exploring thermal imaginaries. It studies how on-the-ground data interacted with models in wind tunnels to construct (and counter) an objectifiable notion of comfort.

Long abstract:

The research projects, “Climatic conditions in West African courtyard houses” (1973–75) and “Microclimatic and climate-psychological effects, as well as constructive requirements of added storeys to West African courtyard houses” (1976–79), involved collaboration between the Institute for Tropical Building at TH Darmstadt, the Institute of Aerodynamic Studies at TU Munich, and the Faculty of Architecture at UST Kumasi. The test field was in Nima, a densely populated neighbourhood of Accra. Researchers proposed a ventilation apparatus to improve comfort inside the houses, and specific second-story patterns to increase density while maintaining proper courtyard ventilation. Models in 1:100 and 1:30 simulated the situation in a Munich university wind tunnel. The distribution of tasks reflected neo-colonial epistemological hierarchies: the researchers in Kumasi retrieved the data on the ground and constructed the mock-up second storey; models served Munich researchers for testing; both ground measurements and simulations were analysed in Darmstadt and Munich. Inhabitants were mostly seen as disturbances, impacting data collection by opening doors or switching measuring devices off. The assumption that these houses needed climatic improvements is questionable. A 1970 survey in Nima, undertaken by Darmstadt students, revealed most respondents found the houses “comfortable” or didn’t respond to questions of comfort. The survey’s failure was attributed to unclear questions or “non-objectifiable answers”. In summary, the project appears to have been based on imaginaries of thermal comfort that were challenged by the residents. Ultimately, as the proposed “enhancements” were not embraced by development stakeholders, the projects predominantly served the academic community in Germany.