Buildings for extreme environments. Arid

CIBSE's TM04: Design notes for the Middle East was published in 1990. With the effects of climate change becoming better understood and the need to embrace relevant engineering solutions more necessary, the review became long overdue.In examining what would be appropriate to our members, a publication that embraced the world and environments beyond the confines of the Middle East became an obvious step forward. Instead of generating a document that had a geographical base as before, it seemed more relevant to create one that was climate zone driven, which could be applied to different parts of the world as appropriate.This document on arid zones is the first of a three-part series that will reflect different climate zones; the others representing polar and tropical climates. With an ever-increasing number of our members working on international projects, or being based in locations unfamiliar to them, these documents have been designed to provide an introduction to topics that might be unfamiliar and to provide information upon which reasoned judgements may be made or lead to further research to be undertaken in support of their professional duties.