Building energy-efficient homes in the tropics requires urban planning and suitable design, experts say

Darwin architect Jenny Culgan outside Burnett House in Darwin, a prime example of good tropical design. (ABC Radio Darwin: Conor Byrne)

As heatwave conditions persist, technology improves and buildings become outdated, an energy consultant says sometimes it is cheaper to demolish an inefficient home and start again.

In the Northern Territory, buildings became stronger, lower, heavier and less tropical after Cyclone Tracy destroyed Darwin in 1974.