The architecture of the passively tempered environment

People have always delighted in buildings that work passively to modify the environment, providing a haven against the extremes of the outdoor climate. The principles of this approach were enshrined in the Renaissance architectural treatises and are also widely agreed to be the basis for sustainable architecture.

Despite this body of knowledge these principles are often compromised by aesthetic predilections and personal prejudices, which have no apparent rational foundation, resulting in buildings that do not perform nearly as well as predicted or expected.

Exploring the field of passive environmental design, this chapter focuses on the fault lines that occur between knowledge, understanding, intention and achievement during the process of designing sustainable buildings ~ fault lines that prevent recent buildings reaching the full capability of passive design to reduce carbon emissions.