The evolution of urban homes in Havana, 16th c. to present in four images. Up until the 19th c. homes had good thermal comfort all through the year, never going over 30°C, but then came modernism. The same old story.

Good vernacular apartment balcony in Havana on the left (tall ceilings >4m, tall windows, open balustrade etc.), then on the right a modernist Havana example (closed balustrade, short ceilings, short windows that doesn't open fully): heat trap.

Excellent vernacular 19th c. courtyard for optimal thermal management: about 30% of plot size, fountain in the center, some trees but not too much (blocks ventilation). Modernist courtyards are mandated to 15% of plot size, far too small for effective passive cooling effects.