As my thesis abstract stands now:
New England has four seasons and encompasses extreme weather conditions from hot, humid summers to blizzard ridden winters. A New England shelter must mitigate these conditions to fulfill the condition of a 'shelter.' Typically contemporary structures are not designed to moderate the environment, but rather they use competing active technological systems to render comfort.
The use of historical adaptations in New England, prior to the active innovations for heating and cooling, can be used as a precedent. Some traditional practices have been transformed into aesthetic ideals with concern for stylistic cues and forms, rather than functional forms. Using historical successes as a model, how can the idea of active systems be redefined, using the habitant to form ones own comfort? What other design solutions address the needs of a New England climate?
Here is the program abstract for what I'm thinking:
The program will consist of redefining the idea of active systems in the sense of human comfort. To obtain comfort in extreme climate conditions, one will have to actively change the space. Activities will include open or closing windows, doors or shutters; moving from sun to shade or shade to sun; obtaining wood to burn and then building a fire; etc. The program will consist of habitants making their own comfort, when the passive design of the building form ceases.
Here is a preliminary program adjacency diagram:
