Climate-sensitive architecture, Is natural comfort possible?

Abstract

Comfort is a perception that evidences a state of well-being in a given environment. In practice, the achievement of comfort is the result of a complex phenomenon in which objective space parameters -such as thermal, visual, or acoustical-, coexist with subjective physiological, sociological, cultural, and psychological factors. Comfort can be achieved by using auxiliary energy, usually from non-renewable and pollutant sources, that power energy-intensive mechanisms with almost immediate response. Nevertheless, building comfort by natural means should be our main goal to protect the environment for future generations. In this holistic approach, well-designed climate-sensitive architecture will play a very important role, but also occupants´ expectations and willingness to adapt to architectural possibilities and their response times, will be key. Comfort in architecture is not a given, users must be involved in the process of achieving it by interacting with their building over time.