Auckland University of Technology recently conducted a fascinating study, which found the temperature in a building can depend on something as simple as the colour of its roof.
AUT's North Shore Campus is partially made up of pre-fabricated buildings, positioned together in what is known as the AE block. Staff and students noticed the interiors of the structures had a tendency to heat up even more than others.
It was hypothesised that the high temperatures could possibly be influenced by the buildings' roofs - all of which were painted red, a dark colour which traditionally absorbs more heat than lighter colours.
Dr Adam Taylor of the School of Engineering at AUT was given the support of the institution's Estates Group to conduct tests to see if applying white roof to the pre-fabs would help reflect light from the sun, and in turn reduce the cooling demands of the buildings.
All but one of the structurally identical buildings had their roofs painted white. The remaining building retained its red roof to act as the control in the study.
