Insulating Modernism

A critical investigation of insulation

What is the best way to consider energy in
buildings? For over a century, the building industry has largely focused
on ideas of insulation and isolation for its energetic practices. A
growing movement of designers claim that other concepts and practices
are required for the non-isolated energy systems of architecture. This
book describes the history, theory and facts of the mainstream isolation
technologies and the emerging alternative design approaches. It is a
book on the scientific, material, and design history of building
isolation; but more importantly, it is a book on isolated and
non-isolated perspectives on energy in architecture. Written by a
registered practicing architect with detailed technical knowledge, who
is at the same time a researcher and experienced teacher, the aim is to
understand the different scientific, architectural and cultural
approaches to energy and to promote a non-isolated perspective: a
thermodynamically accurate, ecologically powerful, culturally relevant,
and architecturally ambitious perspective on energy in architecture.

• State of affairs and alternative models of building insulation
• In-depth information on a key planning issue
• A scholarly contribution to a hot architectural debate