IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

This paper examines the emergence and adoption of “microclimate” in design practice in the mid-20th century. Relationships between site and sense of self were brought closer during this period through newly appreciated abilities to alter the localized climate. The topic represents a growing interrelationship in design practices to more closely align epistemological concerns about what is valid for design and ethical concerns about what is suitable for stakeholders. While it can be said that all site design is a response to climatic conditions and weather events, the character of any response can vary from mitigation to modification. In the mid-twentieth century, the means and ends of site transformation were re-imagined through the (then) new concept of “microclimate.” This paper draws upon three groups of sources: period journal articles, archival materials written by or associated with participating designers, scientists, and institutions, and contextual readings from the period that informed climate-culture relationships. These texts document an intensifying awareness about the impact of climate on physical and mental well-being and an increasing expectation for environmental comfort. Recognizing the role of microclimate in mid-century design contributes to design knowledge in three ways. First, it locates the early history of a term that is increasingly relevant in the context of climate change and concerns for human health. Second, it offers insight into home and garden design principles that can inform efforts to preserve and conserve mid-century houses and landscapes. Third, it reveals details about a moment in the ever-evolving relationships between people and place.