I think you are presenting an idealized view of the past. First of all, before the advent of AC in many places office workers (and a much smaller portion of th

I think you are presenting an idealized view of the past. First of all, before the advent of AC in many places office workers (and a much smaller portion of the population worked in offices) weren't expected to function as though it wasn't so hot you couldn't think. In the past, when the summer got too hot, it was just unbearable and that was it. It was so uncomfortable that AC was installed everywhere as soon as it was available. Yeah building design could be much better, but most old construction is also terribly ventilated. Entire rooms with no ventilation at all, windows that open to tiny air shafts with little air flow, absolutely terrible use of space, cramped kitchens... the list goes on. I have seen very few old apartments with what anybody would call "carefully considered layout". I wish more building designers would acommodate NOT using AC too, but I don't think there are good old days to return to.