Improving quality of coffee produced on smallholder farms is one of many ways to help bridge financial gaps between small- and large-scale producers in the coffee industry. However, increasing global temperatures have led to green coffee developing defects during the drying stages due to excessive heat exposure, lowering product’s quality and, consequentially, price.

A drying structure utilising principles of passive architecture was developed to offer temperature control and ventilation in order to combat the consequences of climate change without the need for expensive technology and electricity access. A solar chimney and vents placed around the perimeter of the structure are used for as off-grid ventilation systems; while the temperature amplitudes are damped using thermal mass constructed using compressed earth bricks. Excessive solar radiation is reflected by sheet-metal roofing to avoid overheating in the afternoon. The dryer was designed to be easily constructed on site using materials widely available to coffee farmers.