Subtropical climate - Any point in a cellar or cool cupboard/pantry?

I'm designing for a mild subtropical coastal climate: Temperatures never fall below 10 °C (50 °F) in winter or above 26 °C (79 °F) in summer. Average annual precipitation is 1300 millimetres (50 in), mostly in winter.

I'm trying to reduce the need for electricity as much as possible and I am wondering if a cool cupboard (pantry) or root cellar sort of thing would be of much use in such a climate.

Hello,

Yes, they can be, yet must be designed and built according to specific vernacular systems for such a location. Some are very similar to what is now being called a "wofati" while others are below natural grade and of stone, lime, and cobb. Others are of wood, and dry things as much as cools them. Many forms and styles...

Regards,

j

I would love to hear how this went, or if you know more! I am in a similar climate except it can get in the 90s easily in the summers, and I would love to be able to make a cool room for food storage and also for hanging around in on a hot day.