In Praise of Thermal Gradients

Text for unsuccessful RFP for the Dawntown Design/Build 2:

We seek to construct environments informed by sensorial conditions. The modern conception of a well-tempered interior presumes that a building’s envelope and systems should provide a homogenous habitat, but this approach neglects the important role the human body plays in relation to its shelter and the potential to create spaces that engage with this relationship.

We look to past conceptions of the thermal envelope as a means of re-engaging the body with its environment. Vernacular buildings throughout history have utilized thermal gradients between central hearths and covered porches to let inhabitants find comfort through their placement in space. Thermal baths dating back to antiquity have celebrated our physiological response to amplified sensorial progressions.

We aim to create spaces that challenge occupants to understand their spatial context beyond its visual “skin.” To us, the heat trapped by a modern glass box is as relevant as its transparency. A foundation is not simply a structure but a heat sink. The city’s sounds are not pollution but context. These conditions are not impediments but sources of inspiration and delight.

James Huemoeller, Ryan Welch & Fatima Olivieri