Spacious, precision engineered, with air-con as standard, could the termite mound be the ultimate "des res"? Quentin Cooper talks to Dr Rupert Soars , principal investigator on project Termes, which will take detailed scans of termite mounds. By building up 3-D models of their intricate network of tunnels and capillaries, he's beginning to understand how termites engineer perfect thermostatic control over their homes. Cooper finds out why termite technology will help build the home of the future and what lessons architects and engineers can learn from the insect master builder. Producer Tracey Logan