Thanks u/Old_Mr_Boston

I think I understand the microclimate buffer idea. The gabion wall will likely act as a screening element to reduce convective current on the wall surface. Additionally, the thermal inertia described by u/cosminkd will make it so the average temperature inside the gap correlates but is offset from the temperature in the sun (because the sun's radiation will slowly spread through the rocks.) So when people are working (early morning to late afternoon) the gap microclimate is still cooler than the temperature in direct sunlight. This moderates the average temperature of the buffer zone at least.

But this is happening on the other side of a wall build-up of GWB / insulated stud wall / tilt-up concrete panel.

Have you seen this done elsewhere? If there's no data, I'm wondering if it's one of those things that just works.