Thermal Delight in Architecture [Paperback]

Of the many books I've read on architecture, this has been by far the most influential; it inspired by bachelor of architecture thesis. Heschong argues that thermal aesthetics in architecture, although almost universally overlooked, affect building users at least as much as visual aesthetics. She supports her thesis by naming dozens of examples linking thermal qualities to psychology/perception, culture, traditions, language, and, of course, architecture. The book is accessible to everyone and not just architects: it is not at all technical and is very concise. Yet it is thorough, and is sure to change the reader's perception of his or her thermal environments.

Thermal Delight in Architecture is an inspiring look at the thermal aspects of architecture (temperature and humidity), a frustrating and unexciting topic for many designers. Although this work came out of the energy crisis of the 70's, its implications could not be more relevant in our time. When most architects view thermal design as efficient heating and cooling systems, heat gain and heat loss and the challenge of creating an envelope with a high R-value, Heschong approaches this topic from a completely unique and refreshing perspective. Her focus is not on the technical and monotonous aspects of thermal conditions, she looks at this subject as an architectural designer, not a mechanic or an engineer, focusing on the social, emotional and experiential significance of the thermal through a historic and cultural lens. Her thesis, although not entirely resolved in this short work, makes an argument for a new approach to architectural design, where thermal aspects are not treated with neglect and contempt but are used to enrich the experience of the inhabitant both physically and emotionally.
Heschong begins her case with a look at the fundamental need for humans to stay warm and cool, dry and humid. She explores the history of mankind and how it dealt with this issue, the making of fires, shelters and places of protection from the heat of the sun. She makes a case that the human of the past dealt with this issue simply, but their solutions were full of rich experiences and allowed for a strong connection to nature. In a description of the igloo she explains how nature itself provided the protection from harmful aspects of nature and the fire was a central aspect of the home, it not only provided warmth but was the center of activity, the source of comfort and light. Heschong uses many historic examples to express the significance thermal characteristics played in the history of humanity but her support comes not only from architecture. She uses a broad pallet of sources, quotes and common knowledge that unites the historic facts with human affection through poetry and stories that help convey the ideas.
Heschong's analysis continues into the Delight, Affection and Sacredness that thermal aspects of architecture creates. She states that man has always delighted experiencing thermal extremes such as "The Fins... jumping from the sauna into a snowbank or a cold lake. At the beach, after baking in the sun, there is a cold ocean to swim in." Although Heschong's examples are often not architectural, she always relates how architecture played a role in bringing people delight. Today, the extent of thermal experience is a constant room temperature controlled by pressing a button, unless the heating or cooling unit breaks. We ignore our past thermal experiences and delights that enriched our lives physically and emotionally. She argues that it is not natural for mankind to live, work and play in a space that has a constant thermal condition, it has never been the case in human nature, nor was it so for any other living thing on earth.
Although Thermal Delight in Architecture is an intriguing work of architectural exploration it leaves one with a somewhat nagging question. Heschong states the rich history of thermal aspects of architecture and the current neglect of such delights and affections but she does not resolve today's void and gives little advice to how this might be solved or if there is a solution at all. In her last paragraph she states that today, solar homes are the closest example of such architecture but how one should go about introducing thermal delight and affection into today's built environment is not stated.
Having lived and practice architecture through the 70's, Heschong understands the significance of efficient and sustainable architectural design. In fact, her studies of thermal delight, affection and sacredness were inspired through her work with solar homes. In an age where green design is king and energy prices are consistently going up and are predicted to continue the trend, sustainable and efficient design is relevant today more than ever. Although green architecture is everywhere and will continue to grow, it often lacks exactly that which Heschong addresses in her work. Thermal Delight in Architecture can be the perfect springboard for those who are interested in addressing this issue and want to help bring greater meaning a richer experiences to the future of green architecture.

I purchased this book for use with my Thesis research, and have been quite pleased with it. The book brings up ideas about human perception of spaces as influenced by thermal conditions. It goes into historical examples very nicely, but it is a little weak on more contemporary works. That being said, it is quite easy to apply the proposals to any work of architecture. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in 1) architecture or 2) human perception. For someone that is interested in the human perception of architecture, it's a must-have.