Dear Friends, I’m feeling the seasonal change — are you? The occasional breath of summer on the wind has reminded me of a book I love called Thermal Delight in Architecture. In it, Lisa Heschong speaks against climate-controlled buildings where every space is kept at the same “comfort zone” temperature. She says: “Even though studies have shown blue to be the most restful color, I doubt that anyone would put forth an argument for a monochromatic world.”
Sal!! You wrote about one of my favorite books! We assigned this for our advanced design studio a few years ago. I remember reading it while on a ferry across Prince William Sound during August vacation, to prepare. Love your takeaways. Thanks so much for the shout-out! 🙏💚
PS I am insanely jealous of your tiny house. About to move to a house with a screen porch facing the water, so I’ll think of you in your summertime slowdown.
What a gift. It's funny - as much as I enjoyed reading it and lingering on her yummy language, our students were mostly like, MEH. In hindsight, I think it's because our architecture students are often quite (too) practical-minded. They want skills, tools, techniques. That said, their work that semester was surprisingly poetic - so it worked its magic subconsciously, and I should never discount that. Hmmmmmm. 🤔
This reading, I was more aware that some of her language and thinking was dated, and she herself went on to very practical things, but her central insights have stayed with me since that first reading in the 80s.
Last night I ended my reading of Sal's book, "The Uses of Art" on this line (page 286), which for me melded perfectly with todays post. " Like any object, an art object acts on us if and as we act on it, even if our 'action' consists entirely of perception and fantasy".
For me it is full of Dharma gates. I will need to read it and re-read it many time..so thank you for having the experiences themselves as well as the skill too create it in this form for others, like this ol' fool
Sal, I was not at all familiar with this book, but I feel my greatest satisfactions in life have come from the days and years and hours when I've been able to adjust where I put my body relative to the light and weather. (This may be one of the appeals of tiny houses; there is no way *not* to live like this, as you point out.) The first house I bought myself could be opened from all directions. All summer, it was worth getting up very early to open the French doors on one side and windows on all the other sides; to catch the night-blooming things before their daily petals dropped, and to walk barefoot on cool concrete, knowing the day would get hot. In the late afternoon, the only thing missing from that very good house was a basement. House #2 has a dark, little room underground that I would be reluctant to give up. I love this subject and quite agree; the body in tune with its environment can shed so many other cares that we think are important. The pleasure of those other things is dim by comparison. Thermal Delight, indeed. There is a well titled book. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
And I wholeheartedly support your summer schedule. :-)
Sal!! You wrote about one of my favorite books! We assigned this for our advanced design studio a few years ago. I remember reading it while on a ferry across Prince William Sound during August vacation, to prepare. Love your takeaways. Thanks so much for the shout-out! 🙏💚
PS I am insanely jealous of your tiny house. About to move to a house with a screen porch facing the water, so I’ll think of you in your summertime slowdown.
A screen porch facing the water should inspire some lingering!
It's floating me through all the packing like a hot air balloon.
Moves are always hard! It’s good you are heading to an oasis.
My poetry mentor, Olga Broumas, had a degree in Architecture, and she had all her students read it.
What a gift. It's funny - as much as I enjoyed reading it and lingering on her yummy language, our students were mostly like, MEH. In hindsight, I think it's because our architecture students are often quite (too) practical-minded. They want skills, tools, techniques. That said, their work that semester was surprisingly poetic - so it worked its magic subconsciously, and I should never discount that. Hmmmmmm. 🤔
This reading, I was more aware that some of her language and thinking was dated, and she herself went on to very practical things, but her central insights have stayed with me since that first reading in the 80s.
Last night I ended my reading of Sal's book, "The Uses of Art" on this line (page 286), which for me melded perfectly with todays post. " Like any object, an art object acts on us if and as we act on it, even if our 'action' consists entirely of perception and fantasy".
It’s wonderful to think of you reading the book, turning its pages, putting it down at night. Thank you, Mark!
For me it is full of Dharma gates. I will need to read it and re-read it many time..so thank you for having the experiences themselves as well as the skill too create it in this form for others, like this ol' fool
You are immensely kind!
Sal, I was not at all familiar with this book, but I feel my greatest satisfactions in life have come from the days and years and hours when I've been able to adjust where I put my body relative to the light and weather. (This may be one of the appeals of tiny houses; there is no way *not* to live like this, as you point out.) The first house I bought myself could be opened from all directions. All summer, it was worth getting up very early to open the French doors on one side and windows on all the other sides; to catch the night-blooming things before their daily petals dropped, and to walk barefoot on cool concrete, knowing the day would get hot. In the late afternoon, the only thing missing from that very good house was a basement. House #2 has a dark, little room underground that I would be reluctant to give up. I love this subject and quite agree; the body in tune with its environment can shed so many other cares that we think are important. The pleasure of those other things is dim by comparison. Thermal Delight, indeed. There is a well titled book. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
And I wholeheartedly support your summer schedule. :-)
I can picture those spaces so clearly, and the early mornings. Thank you for sharing this.