According to the National Weather Service, the hottest day in Orlando’s history came on June 18, 1921. It was 101 degrees. Back then, people could not contact experts at AC in Orlando, as we can today. It is insane to think that air conditioners were not invented by that time, but rather around 10 years later, in the 1930s. How could Orlando natives survive that heat? We are going to examine ways people got around that hot problem.
- Egyptian Courtyards: The idea of cooling is not a new one. Jonathan Hogg, an associate at Ferguson & Shamamian Architects says, “There are traces of cooling even in ancient Egypt through the use of courtyards to promote air flow through buildings.”
- Shotgun House: While air circulation went into consideration during the building of homes in the northeast, in the south, the issue of heat is much more crucial. Thus, the shotgun house was designed. A prevalent building type in Louisiana with just one room, the narrow width of the shotgun house allowed windows and doors to be lined up in a manner promoting cross-ventilation. The front room remained cool since the porch shielded it from sunlight. The same concept was applied in the building of houses with large wraparound porches. Along with allowing windows to remain open, the overhangs blocked rooms from sunlight and promoted air circulation, even while it was raining.
- Dogtrot house: Cousin to the shotgun house is the dogtrot house, also typical of the south. It was prevalent around the 19th to early 20th centuries. Running through the center of the house, the dogtrot is an open-air hall and is typically two cabins under one roof. This design allows for fresh air to access rooms on both sides. And, just like the shotgun house, the overhanging porch not only keeps the sun out and the windows open, but also keeps the furniture dry when it is raining.
- The Barnacle: In 1891, in Coconut Grove, Florida, a house was designed that put a ventilator in the form of a cupola atop the roof. Whimsically, it was named The Barnacle. As hot air rose in the house, it would escape through the focal point of the roof. There were several double-height windows and doors that opened directly onto the wraparound porches that allowed fresh air to enter.
- The Sleeping Porch: Popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries, sleeping porches were often found on houses located near bodies of water. The air was often pleasant in the evening, so people wanted to sleep during that time in a protected space outside. Sleeping porches were much like balconies. A great example is at an arts & crafts mansion built in Pasadena in 1910, The Gamble House.
In the 1930s, we were set on the path that has led us to today. Today, most homes in Florida have an AC. And if your AC in Orlando stops working or you are having issues with it, you can always reach out to All Temp at 407-857-7800, or contact us online.
