Harare, Zimbabwe

The clever Eastgate Centre learned a trick from termites, Africa’s tiny engineers. These insects, known for munching on wood, inspired one of Africa’s coolest green buildings. Architect Mick Pearce looked at how termites keep their homes just right without air conditioning or heaters.

He used ancient building methods from Zimbabwe and copied termite tricks. The result? The shopping center stays comfy all year and costs less for shops inside.