In the search for sustainable architecture there is growing interest amongst architects, designers and engineers in the relationship between nature and design. The term , traditionally relating to the dynamic between climate and living organisms, is applied by the authors in focusing on countries where housing requires cooling for a significant part of the year and presenting both the theory and practice of innovative, low-energy architecture. Having set out new definitions of bioclimatic housing, the book interweaves the themes of social progress, technological solutions and industry developments within a discussion of global and country trends. With case studies from Iran, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and Italy, this is a truly international and authoritative work, prepared under the auspices of a 5-year International Energy Agency (IEA) project.