Ashok B. Lall on Climate-Responsive Architecture and the Concept of Aaram
In an essay featured on Architecture Live, Ashok B. Lall critiques the excessive dependence on air conditioning and standardized thermal comfort. He promotes climate-responsive design influenced by the South Asian idea of aaram, highlighting the importance of passive cooling, natural ventilation, and human adaptability. Lall positions thermal comfort as a reaction to climate change in architecture, rather than a product of mechanical engineering. This essay coincides with the announcement of the book "Larger Than Life: Stories of Anil Laul."
Key facts
- Ashok B. Lall discusses the future of aaram in a thought-provoking essay.
- The essay challenges reliance on air conditioning and universal thermal comfort standards.
- Lall advocates for climate-responsive architecture rooted in the South Asian concept of aaram.
- Passive cooling, natural ventilation, and human adaptability are key strategies.
- Thermal comfort is reframed as an architectural response to climate change.
- The essay is part of a book announcement for 'Larger Than Life: Stories of Anil Laul.'
- The source is architecture.live.
- The essay opens with the quote 'For God’s sake, dress lightly.'
Entities
Artists
- Ashok B. Lall
- Anil Laul
Institutions
- Architecture Live