Ancient solar bracket design

Why was solar design important in ancient Greece?

Solar design principles transcended the symbolic reverence for the sun found in the religious buildings of classical Greece. It was a useful, perhaps even necessary commodity that provided a source of warmth in domestic architecture. A dialogue between light and shadows appeared as a fundamental design element of the Greek vernacular architecture.

What was solar architecture in ancient Greece?

One solar design feature was a checkerboard street grid facing east-west and north-south. Another was the south-facing hill on which the town was laid out to take maximum advantage of the sun. Solar architectural design in ancient Greece was neither a novelty nor a symbol of economic status of the builder.

What did Socrates Teach us about solar architecture?

No lesser scholar than Socrates taught classes on the art of passive solar architecture—how to build houses and other buildings to best take advantage of the sun’s light and energy. Greek houses and bathing buildings were built with large windows facing south to take advantage of the strongest sunrays for the longest possible period.

Why is solar energy a traditional part of vernacular architecture?

It has remained a traditional part of vernacular architecture in many countries. There is evidence that ancient cultures considered factors such as solar orientation, thermal mass and ventilation in the construction of residential dwellings.

Who invented passive solar architecture?

The ancient Greeks, Romans, Native Americans, and Chinese also used similar techniques to help regulate the temperature in their homes. No lesser scholar than Socrates taught classes on the art of passive solar architecture—how to build houses and other buildings to best take advantage of the sun’s light and energy.

Why did Socrates build a solar-heated house?

Buildings were built with thick walls that transferred the solar heat of winter or the coolness of the summer night into the interior, while deep whitewashed wall apertures ushered light into the space. In 400 bc Socrates, who apparently lived in a solar-heated house, wrote about the sun, outlining some basic design principles.