Redefining "Comfort" in the Architecture of the Future

Buildings are designed to ensure fully mechanized comfort. Architect Terri Meyer Boake argues that designers need to think in terms of a spectrum of comfort in designing the reduced-impact buildings of the future.

1 minute read

May 13, 2009, 7:00 AM PDT

By franny.ritchie

"Terri Meyer Boake teaches sustainable design at the University of Waterloo, and is teaching architects how to prepare for the 2030 challenge, where architects are working toward making buildings zero carbon. This will involve a lot more natural lighting, ventilation and passive solar. But one problem is our expectations."

"Terri...notes that today's architects and mechanical engineers don't work within [a] zone, but to a 'finite point of expected comfort for 100% mechanical heating and cooling.'"

"Meyer Boake also notes that you must design differently for different climate regions, something that one would think would be pretty obvious, yet condos and houses look pretty much the same in California or North Dakota. But if you need heat for much of the year you are going to deal with the sun differently than if you need cooling"

Thanks to Franny Ritchie

FULL STORY: The Comfort Zone vs Comfort Point

Monday, May 11, 2009 in Treehugger

Architecture World Carbon-Neutral Sustainable design Regional Architecture

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