The comfort consciousness

Abstract

The habitation of place generally fosters a deep connection with the natural and climatic conditions of that place, as well as an understanding of how to interact with it. Yet our technological advances and cultural patterns have brought us to a time where that connection has been lost. The perceived inhospitableness of Houston's heat and humidity has shaped a consciousness where our expectations of comfort (and therefore our methods of manipulation) are wholly unrelated to the intrinsic nature of our place. This thesis investigation aims to further our understanding of thermal comfort in Houston and to propose appropriate architectural comfort control techniques, through symbiotic building components and design strategies.