5 ms·

Conversely, with kids in the southeast getting ready to go back in a few weeks, there is no way we could do outdoor classes with temps getting into triple digit

Conversely, with kids in the southeast getting ready to go back in a few weeks, there is no way we could do outdoor classes with temps getting into triple digits with the heat index.

Miner49er 6y ago
How did they have school before air conditioning in the region? It must be possible. Maybe not for kids with certain conditions.
- tyingq 6y ago
  I'm sure it was still uncomfortable, but the building likely had much different ventilation.
- jdmichal 6y ago
  Buildings were designed differently, and society worked differently. Buildings now are designed to be sealed against the elements, where before A/C they were designed to maximize exposure to airflow. Things like lanais, Bahama shutters, crawl spaces, dogtrot houses, etc were all strategies for blocking sun and improving airflow. Even passive solar strategies existed, like using large deciduous trees to block sun in the summer and allow it in the winter. On the societal side, there was less expectation for society to keep moving during midday heat, sometimes explicitly formalized like the Spanish siesta. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/keepin-it-cool-how-the-air-conditioner-made-modern-america/241892/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/keepi... EDIT: Can't believe I forgot about solar chimneys and evaporative coolers (aka swamp coolers).
  - saagarjha 6y ago
    Many newer buildings are shifting back towards being “breathable” to cut energy costs.
    - jdmichal 6y ago
      Can you point me to anything? I'd love to learn more about that. I'm not sure how that would work when the outside air is absolutely hotter than desired. We still do things like airflow through attics, because that's above the ceiling insulation and the outside air often is cooler than attic air.
      - saagarjha 6y ago
        Well, I should provide a disclaimer that I’m only really aware of California buildings that do this, which might answer the “how does this work in general” question :P
        jdmichal 6y ago
        Ah, yea. There's definitely climates in California where that would work. I'm in Tampa Bay, and during the summer there's very few times when you would want outside air coming in. Even if it's OK temperature-wise, humidity is always there. I've open windows to take advantage of cool air during storms, but I also know I have an A/C that will act as a full-house dehumidifier.
- Spivak 6y ago
  Indoor classes without air conditioning are uncomfortable, but bearable for most people. When I was in HS in a school that still today doesn't have AC kids passing out from overheating happened once every other week or so. I fault that more to our administration trying to force assemblies and not listening to kids who were obviously overheating and needed to step out of class than the building. There was a stupid sort of comradery between the us and the teachers during those months, not unlike the scene in Matilda, because having to wear thick wool jumpers or long sleeved shirts and slacks was absolutely moronic. Like the whole point was too look "presentable" but let me tell you boys who soaked through their dress shirts was not a good look for the school. Outdoor classes where you don't have the benefit of good ventilation, shade, and your only area large enough to hold outdoor classes might be a blacktop is going to be a little rougher. Without having the building to act as a wind tunnel constantly moving the hot air out you have no chance when the wind dies down.

Conversely, with kids in the southeast getting ready to go back in a few weeks, there is no way we could do outdoor classes with temps getting into triple digits with the heat index.

Miner49er 6y ago

How did they have school before air conditioning in the region? It must be possible. Maybe not for kids with certain conditions.

tyingq 6y ago
I'm sure it was still uncomfortable, but the building likely had much different ventilation.
jdmichal 6y ago
Buildings were designed differently, and society worked differently. Buildings now are designed to be sealed against the elements, where before A/C they were designed to maximize exposure to airflow. Things like lanais, Bahama shutters, crawl spaces, dogtrot houses, etc were all strategies for blocking sun and improving airflow. Even passive solar strategies existed, like using large deciduous trees to block sun in the summer and allow it in the winter. On the societal side, there was less expectation for society to keep moving during midday heat, sometimes explicitly formalized like the Spanish siesta. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/keepin-it-cool-how-the-air-conditioner-made-modern-america/241892/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/keepi... EDIT: Can't believe I forgot about solar chimneys and evaporative coolers (aka swamp coolers).
- saagarjha 6y ago
  Many newer buildings are shifting back towards being “breathable” to cut energy costs.
  - jdmichal 6y ago
    Can you point me to anything? I'd love to learn more about that. I'm not sure how that would work when the outside air is absolutely hotter than desired. We still do things like airflow through attics, because that's above the ceiling insulation and the outside air often is cooler than attic air.
    - saagarjha 6y ago
      Well, I should provide a disclaimer that I’m only really aware of California buildings that do this, which might answer the “how does this work in general” question :P
      - jdmichal 6y ago
        Ah, yea. There's definitely climates in California where that would work. I'm in Tampa Bay, and during the summer there's very few times when you would want outside air coming in. Even if it's OK temperature-wise, humidity is always there. I've open windows to take advantage of cool air during storms, but I also know I have an A/C that will act as a full-house dehumidifier.
Spivak 6y ago
Indoor classes without air conditioning are uncomfortable, but bearable for most people. When I was in HS in a school that still today doesn't have AC kids passing out from overheating happened once every other week or so. I fault that more to our administration trying to force assemblies and not listening to kids who were obviously overheating and needed to step out of class than the building. There was a stupid sort of comradery between the us and the teachers during those months, not unlike the scene in Matilda, because having to wear thick wool jumpers or long sleeved shirts and slacks was absolutely moronic. Like the whole point was too look "presentable" but let me tell you boys who soaked through their dress shirts was not a good look for the school. Outdoor classes where you don't have the benefit of good ventilation, shade, and your only area large enough to hold outdoor classes might be a blacktop is going to be a little rougher. Without having the building to act as a wind tunnel constantly moving the hot air out you have no chance when the wind dies down.