Climate Responsive Design and Features Explore of Paul Rudolph’s Light Wood Residences

In the middle of the 20th century, Paul Rudolph’s design practice of light wood residences in Sarasota area was well adapted to the local hot and humid subtropical climate. By tracing the origin of Paul Rudolph’s thought of climate responsive design, it’s possible to realize the design features of Paul Rudolph’s early works from heat protection and ventilation, and sum up the strategies and construction of his light wood residences for climate responsive design. Based on the characteristics of subtropical heat and humidity, Rudolph focused on innovations in building facades, roofs, and spaces, and proposed a series of climate-responsive design strategies and methods. Rudolph’s light wood practice has its own value in terms of technical principles, material technology, and regional characteristics, which are both rational and perceptual, and has enlightening value for the application of light buildings in subtropical areas and the design of contemporary light wood buildings.