The neighbourhood was also designed to mitigate heat and curb air-conditioning use. That’s essential in a city that last year sweated through 143 days at or above 100F (38C). To make Culdesac cooler, Parolek and his team at Opticos Design took their cue from sun-soaked locales like Italy, Greece and Mexico. They painted the buildings’ walls and roofs as white as the towns on Mykonos. White paint reflects the sun much better than Phoenix’s typical sand-hued homes, helping reduce the urban heat island effect.
Because no space is needed for driving and parking, the architects could also employ another classic cooling strategy in Mediterranean towns: setting buildings close together. Consequently, Culdesac’s structures almost constantly shade each other, as well as the paved or earthen “paseos” (Spanish for walkways) that connect them. These narrow paseos also act like funnels that draw in breezes. Similarly, all apartments have windows on opposite sides, allowing for cross ventilation.
The shade, airflow, desert-friendly landscaping and absence of asphalt create a microclimate. As a result, in 2023, Harvard University researchers determined that the ground surface temperature within Culdesac was 30-40F (17-22C) cooler than the pavements in the surrounding area.
Pedestrian-only pathways are lined with apartments, greenery and public art, creating a community-focused environment.
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