Thermal Delight in Architecture by Lisa Heschong

Often, the heat and coolth of our homes is controlled by the push of a button and the thermal source is invisible. LIsa Heschong's book - a one-evening read - is a potent reminder of the joy of experiencing thermal variation in the home...

Thermal Delight in Architecture explores ways that thermal qualities are expressed in architecture and cites architectural elements that attract us throughout the ages, purely for their thermal associations. Some examples:

A four-poster bed with curtains drawn becomes a warm nest for its inhabitant. Today, we are still drawn to this type of bed frame, even without the curtains!

And inglenook created by gathering cozy seating around the warm hearth. Again, we are drawn to another point of warmth within the home.

The courtyard of a home in Cairo. The plantings and shade offered in a home's interior courtyard bring coolth into the heart of homes in warm climates. We are drawn to the sounds of leaves and fountains, all because of the soothing relief associated with them.

What thermal delights do you take in your home? I type this with my feet resting on the warm radiator, warming my toes. Are you drawn to some areas because of their thermal qualities?

Top two photos from House to Home, bottom from IslamicArt.

Years ago I was inspired by the use of vintage fans in Miami, both at the airport (although they may not have considered them vintage) and in the lobby of the Hotel Astor. Even though Andover, MA is hardly tropical, it can get very humid and hot in the summer. Our house is 40 years old and that was before every house in New England came equipped with central AC. I can't handle window units for so many reasons, so we make do with fans. I've managed to put together a pretty decent collection of reconditioned vintage fans and they make me happy.

posted by back-at-the-SAC on February 5th 2009 at 4:13pm
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I think this is a great idea for a book.

posted by scarletdog on February 5th 2009 at 11:02pm
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This concept just doesn't work for someone like me who's lived in Texas for over 20 years!! Here, it's the reverse psychology - we want images and ideas suggesting cool, refreshingly breezy, or downright nippy. Warmth and heat is something to be avoided and scorned! After all, we only have to take one step outside and instantly melt in the heat. ;)

posted by Zhahira on February 6th 2009 at 8:41am
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Zhahira, the courtyard is for you. And there are many more cooling architectural elements in the book - I highly recommend the read! : )

posted by regina on February 6th 2009 at 9:09am
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