Hey, it’s David.

I didn’t have much time to write as it’s been hectic with some ongoing projects. Particularly the architecture & conservation of the 13.000+ m² Royal Memorial Park in Topolica that we’re doing in Bar, Montenegro.

Researching, designing, and coordinating the different project phases can be challenging so I might dedicate a Special Issue for that one.

We’ve also won another public tender for the interior design and permanent museum exhibition in the recently reconstructed King Nikola’s Castle in Nikšić, Montenegro. We have an art historian and a curator in our team so it’ll be an interesting multidisciplinary journey.

So, yes, the schedule is tight. No rest for the wicked.

I’m probably not going to be arranging a lot of consulting & mentoring sessions but hit me up if you’re in need, we might figure out something ad hoc.

For this issue, I’ll tackle a rather common topic that’s somewhat under the rug. To be fair, it didn’t catch as much of my attention until few years ago while working in design quality control and improvement of design within the ministry of urbanism.

I call it just the ministry of urbanism since it changed names many times in the past few years—of sustainable development and tourism, then of ecology, spatial planning and urbanism, and now I believe it’s of spatial planning, urbanism and state property.

As it revolves around urbanism, I take as it is. Broad concept though, even in legal terms.

Please don’t try to make much sense of it. I’ll explain bluntly—politics.

It’s much easier to change the ministers or directors if you simply reconstruct the government and change the ministries’ names, or directorates for the latter.

Back to the today’s topic.

It does have to do a lot about politics—design politics. One of the key things that I’ve tried to accomplish while working there. And in some degree, I have.

More on design politics in the future issues, I’ll approach this one rather practically and for the specific problem that I encountered.

Common Things Epidemic

You’re walking through your city. Some common things catch your attention. Maybe a beautiful stone facade or traditional balcony.

But, I also notice the chaos of white metal boxes hanging off every building like technological tumors.

Yes, the external AC units.

Everywhere.

And it’s not just an aesthetic problem. It's a symptom of a deeper crisis that's quietly draining our wallets, degrading our environment, and erasing the character of our cities.

Quick Fix Mentality

During my tenure as advisor to Montenegro's Chief State Architect, conducting 200+ design quality controls, I discovered that the average building with poorly integrated cooling systems consumes cca 10% more energy than necessary. 

But the real shock comes when you map the ripple effects:

• Environmental degradation: Increased refrigerant use accelerates ozone depletion

• Quality of life erosion: Visual pollution, noise, and higher utility bills

• Urban identity loss: Historic districts transformed into mechanical graveyards

• Economic waste: Inefficient systems costing residents hundreds annually

I guess the culprit is a broken system where short-term thinking trumps long-term value.

The Heritage DNA of Energy Efficiency

What most people miss is that energy efficiency isn't just about technology, it's about design integration. When we treat cooling systems as afterthoughts bolted onto facades, we violate what I call the Spatial Heritage DNA—the fundamental relationship between form, function, and context.

Traditional Mediterranean architecture understood this intuitively. Thick walls, strategic openings, and passive cooling weren't aesthetic choices, they were survival strategies. Modern buildings that ignore these principles don't just look bad, they also underperform.

How Legal Innovation Changed the Game

While working with the ministry, I identified a critical opportunity within existing legal frameworks. Instead of creating new regulations, we reinterpreted building codes to require aesthetic and functional integration of mechanical systems.

We mandated that external AC units must be:

• Hidden behind brise-soleil or integrated design elements

• Prohibited from balconies (prime user space)

• Positioned for optimal efficiency, not investor convenience

Result: New developments immediately showed improved spatial performance and visual coherence.

The Future Heritage Approach: Three-Layer Integration

When evaluating building's cooling strategy, apply this framework:

Layer 1: Contextual Harmony

• Does the mechanical integration respect the architectural language?

• Are systems positioned to enhance, not compromise, the facade composition?

Layer 2: Functional Optimization

• Are units placed for maximum efficiency (shaded, properly ventilated)?

• Does the design protect equipment while improving performance?

Layer 3: Future Adaptability

• Can the system evolve without compromising the building's identity?

• Does the integration strategy accommodate future technological upgrades?

Action Steps

Take a 10-minute walk around your neighborhood and count:

1. Buildings with exposed, chaotically placed AC units

2. Buildings where mechanical systems are thoughtfully integrated

3. The emotional difference between the two categories

Pro tip: Use your phone to document the contrast. Visual evidence is powerful when advocating for design quality in your community.

What's Next

This is the first in a three-part series exploring how small design decisions create massive urban consequences.

Theory → Practice

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