80. Hanging out with AC's

AC's have become so ubiquitous to our everyday lives. Sometimes they just hang around in the background. Who knows, they may be able to provide some company during those cold days.

Pool Party AC

Rooftop Dining AC

Smoking Section AC

79. Safety in numbers

Maybe there is safety in numbers. Would grouping these guys make it look like just one big AC? Similar to how zebras run together making them look like one giant animal? Either ways, these buildings aren't afraid to show their capacity to cool the micro climate.

Somewhere in Makati, Philippines. Thanks to our friend Tengal for pointing this out.

Spotted in Cebu City, Philippines

When these things are organized neatly, they don't look that bad... What do you think?

78. Clothes drying, part 3

Air-con manufacturers, this could be a thing...

The real question here is, how did they get the clothes up there? Pretty extreme way to dry clothes...

For those new to this, we've featured other examples here, and here.

77. Cooler meets heater

This is part 2 of the the visit to a city hall.

What happens when opposites attract? A fusion of two technological advancements. We present to you: solar heater x condensers.

Ingenious or not? Let us know.

 

76. Interior AC

This is going to be part 1 of 2 following a visit from a city hall.

Buildings built before the time when aircons were prevalent were designed for passive ventilation. With the rising temperatures, and people's ever changing definition of thermal comfort, modern times will have needs that old buildings just need to provide.

The following examples show how an old building did it (currently used as a city hall). To address the needs of the employees, window type aircons were used to cool the offices. Obviously this doesn't seem to be the best type because the offices face the hallways and waiting areas.

The irony is that the hallways were designed to help cool the building, and the windows to provide cross-ventilation. Today, the hallways become hot zones where the AC's vent to.

75. Time Travelling AC

A recent trip to a Philippine "Heritage Resort" showed some very interesting treatments to condensers.

These are the refurbished and reconstructed houses that date back to the Spanish colonization.

Here are a few instances where past architectural style meets modern needs.

74. The Indoor AC Continues...

As previously mentioned, some AC's are being placed behind fixed glass facades. Just when you thought no one else would do such a thing, here's another one. 

The reason behind such occurrence remains unexplained.

Do take note, it's newly renovated.

73. Window CUs

Another example of hidden CUs. We hide them holding hopes that they will continue to function...

72. Shelf the ACs, or a Shelf of ACs?

We'll be curious if these equipment actually work. Install the doors, and then leave them open for more ventilation?

71. Facade AC

In normal circumstances we find ac condensers cohabit with existing facade elements such as ledges and roof eaves. Their existence is always dependant and parasitic under pre-conditions of those elements. By adding a roof to a condenser box, can we say that this is a reverse phenomenon? The building facade is now regenerated by ac condensers. These ac roof for weather protection can be seen abundantly in Taipei.

70. Indoor Condensers

These are not photoshopped images and your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Yes, those are ac condensers behind windows and no, we don't know how this works...

69. AC Inhabitants

Just around Metro Manila, we noticed a strange phenomena of a newer AC inhabiting the bodies of a much older generation.

The configurations are just remote occurrences. What's interesting is that the images are not exclusive to a particular neighborhood but taken from different spots in Metro Manila.

68. A Robot in Manila

This could have been one of the rejected designs for 80's version of the Transformers.

I passed by this building for years, oblivious to its presence. One day it just decided to show itself.

67. Ghost AC ledges, Shanghai

We found this building during our recent ac pilgrimage in Shanghai. It is believed that those ledges on the facade are planned location of condensers, however, the emergence of ac facade phenomenon is self-organised and out of control.

66. All black in Kyoto, Japan

Black AC's spotted on this Japanese Antiques store in Kyoto, Japan. The two different shaped vents provide a wonderful contrast, while blending with the charred wood backdrop.

I know it's stereotypical, but this reminds me of ninjas.

65. AC Goes Old School - Part 2

A recent visit to a university in Manila provided an opportunity to see how modern necessities have caught up with old buildings.(designed in various eras, 20's, 50's 80's)

Part 2: The Window type AC

Some of the AC's were probably installed when having air-conditioned classrooms were something new. It's apparent with the use of the window-type, which was a popular choice back then. The split-type AC would have been more energy efficient because it is better at handling prolonged usage.

Nested in the niches, this one is arranged neatly.

64. AC Goes Old School Part 1

A recent visit to a university in Manila provided an opportunity to see how modern necessities have caught up with old buildings. (designed in various eras, 20's, 50's 80's)

Part 1: Adaptation technique - Placing the AC in the pedestrian area.

We are not sure why this is, but the AC's have been placed as part of the pedestrian landscape. It's quite difficult to conclude what the reason for the location is,but it's definitely strange.

AC's are placed near pedestrian areas and it has become normal, despite the stark contrast to it's backdrop. The other side of the building has a very similar situation.

63. All lined up

These arrangement of AC's caught my eye during a weekend drive in Metro Manila.

62. AC facade Hong Kong

Once again, Hong Kong is AC facade paradise. I will keep the write up short on this one as the pictures mostly speak for themselves:

Commercial AC facade on bonham strand

The new kids on the block are segregated.

"Piggy back"

AC facade: it's everywhere in Hong Kong

61. The struggle for facade space in old quarters Hanoi, Vietnam

Space is tight in the old quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam. Over the years, small shop houses struggle to accommodate increasing families and businesses that sprout within their walls. This is highly evident from the competition for space on their facades

As commercial signage is highly important to the livelihood of hanoians, they have had to find solutions to keep their shops cool during hot summers, while at the same time maximising commercial presence. Hence outdoor units are seen installed behind signage!

It seems like the owners are not overly concerned about the loss of efficiency of the air conditioning units. However, some are more concerned than others. This green shop signage has a vent slot incorporated to allow for adequate ventilation ( just to the right of the word "garden").