Homes across Myanmar were built using traditional tricks to stay cool: thin walls, raised floors, and big windows that catch the breeze. But my PhD research shows these old methods can’t keep up with today’s weather, let alone the hotter future ahead.
To figure out what’s happening, I tracked the temperature and humidity inside and outside a modern home in Mandalay every 30 minutes for a whole year. Then, I ran those numbers through building simulation software. I compared the real 2019 data against the standard “typical year” weather files designers normally use. I also tested how the house would handle future warming.
Here is what the data showed.
- Article title: The vulnerability of homes to overheating in Myanmar today and in the future: A heat index analysis of measured and simulated data
- Published via: Energy and Buildings, 223, (2020) 110201
- Project: PhD research at the University of Nottingham
- Authors: May Zune, Lucelia Rodrigues, Mark Gillott
- Link (if E&B is not working): Google Drive
The Weather Data We Use Is Out of Date
The standard weather file used to design buildings in Myanmar relies on data collected between 2005 and 2013. But in 2019, the number of outdoor hours above 30°C nearly doubled compared to that baseline. Designers are planning for a climate that doesn’t exist anymore.
High Humidity Makes the Heat Dangerous
Air temperature is only part of the story. High humidity traps heat and stops sweat from evaporating, making it harder for the human body to cool down.
When you factor in humidity:
- Outdoor danger: Dangerous heat levels occurred roughly 14% of the year in 2019, compared to just 5.5% in the older baseline data.
- Indoor discomfort: Inside the home, temperatures stayed above 30°C for more than half the year. The house barely shielded the inside from the heat outside.
Traditional vs. Modern Materials: Both Have Flaws
I tested two different building styles to see how materials affect indoor heat:
- Brick and concrete (Modern): Blocks sharp temperature spikes during the day, but traps heat overnight, keeping the house warm for longer periods.
- Timber and thatch (Traditional): Cools off quickly at night, but lets in far too much daytime heat, leading to longer stretches of extreme indoor temperatures.
Neither style works well on its own. Simple fixes like adding window shades helped both options, but only slightly.
The Bottom Line
As climate change drives temperatures higher, building heat-resistant homes isn’t just an architectural choice—it is a health issue.
While this study focused on one house in one city, it provides rare real-world data in a country short on climate records. Without intentional changes—like smarter ventilation, better shading, and insulation chosen for high heat and humidity—Myanmar’s homes will become increasingly unsafe to live in.
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