This Living Space Uses Natural Ventilation Instead of Air Conditioning

A family builds a room that is one with nature and their needs.

The Project

Architect Anik Pearson was tasked with finding a piece of property that was close to Manhattan via public transportation and where a family compound could be built. This property, which is between Pawling and Dover Plains, fit the bill perfectly.

“The owner wanted a wooden house, with no air conditioning, but rather with rooms that made use of natural ventilation, and that had more than one aspect toward the landscape,” Anik Pearson says of the project.

The living room space is just that, boasting great views and connections to the outdoors. “We created a large open space with lots of different types of seating, and windows facing west toward the Pawling Nature Preserve, as well as an entire wall of doors on the south side which open to a balcony.”

Laid Back Room

This is where the homeowners can gather on the weekends with their three young children.

“[They wanted] it to be bright and airy in the daytime, have lots of views toward the landscape, and on an evening, be used to relax by the fireplace reading books and listening to music,” says Pearson. An area of the living room also has a large table with plenty of seating for the kids to do homework or work on other projects.

A Living Formula

“A room can be stylish and colorful, while also being comfortable, resilient, and easy to maintain,” says Pearson. “It should have at least two aspects to the exterior, have plenty of areas for lounging with comfortable seating, as well as a table and chairs for different activities, and a fireplace is a must! It provides soothing warmth and light, and entices the whole family to stay up together longer before going to bed!”

Standout Style

“When the slide-fold doors on the south side of the room are open, the room floods with fresh air and sunlight, and the balcony essentially becomes an extension of the room,” says Pearson. “If it is fly or mosquito season, no problem; a screen drops from a recess in the balcony ceiling and the entire room becomes a screened-in porch.”