Dear Editor,
In a letter which was published in SN on July 9, writer Conrad Barrow expressed his opinion that indigenous architectural designs and technology would be better for schools in Guyana and elsewhere. He supported his view by giving the example of a secondary school which was built in the tropical West African country of Burkina Faso using eucalyptus wood and laterite bricks on modules systematically placed around a central courtyard. He claimed that these materials used by the architects shielded the central area from dust and wind and lowered classroom temperatures during the day by absorbing it in the day and releasing it at night.
Basic thermodynamics however, clearly states that with any material, heat will flow from a higher to a lower level irrespective of the time of day or night. Therefore it is mind-boggling how laterite can store heat during the day and release it at night without any special treatment.
Writer Barrow further stated that the two top high schools in Guyana – Queen’s College and Bishops have good architectural designs which allow air to circulate freely within the buildings to cool their occupants. Those who have attended these schools can attest that this is not so since Queen’s College’s classrooms could be better oriented and equipped.
Yours faithfully,
C Sohan
