Thermal pleasure in built environments: physiology of alliesthesia
This article summarises a research paper 'Thermal pleasure in built environments: physiology of alliesthesia' by Thomas Parkinson & Richard de Dear published in 2015 in --Building Research & Information, 43:3, 288-301, DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2015.989662.
It is the second in a series exploring thermal alliesthesia in the context of indoor comfort.
It has long been recognised that our experience of thermal comfort is more complex than the steady-state heat balance adopted by many international standards which strive simply to achieve 'neutrality'.
As de Dear (2011) stated: If the very best that can be achieved in an isothermal, cool, dry and still indoor climate is 'neutral' or 'acceptable' for little more than 80% of a building's occupants at any one time, then the standards that have been set to date leave much to be desired.
The recent mainstreaming of 'adaptive comfort' begins to recognise the dynamic complexity of thermal comfort. However, 'thermal alliesthesia' goes beyond this, proposing that the hedonic qualities of the thermal environment (qualities of pleasantness or unpleasantness, or 'the pleasure principle') are determined as much by the general thermal state of the subject as by the environment itself. In its simplest form, cold stimuli will be perceived as pleasant by someone who is warm, whilst warm stimuli will be experienced as pleasant by someone who is cold.
The alliesthesia hypothesis suggests that non-steady-state environments where there are localised differences in skin temperature can create conscious experiences of thermal pleasure. The paper proposes that the alliesthesia concept is more complex than simple consideration of the relationship between core and skin temperature, and includes a spatial component. For example, we derive pleasure from wrapping cool hands around a warm mug.
The paper suggests that the concept of a one-size-fits-all approach to the provision of thermal comfort using centralised mechanical systems is flawed, and diversity in thermal preferences suggests criteria for evaluating comfort may need to be reconsidered. The implication is that standards for building services would focus more on providing the appropriate thermal conditions to the individual.
Non-steady-state thermal environments may give the potential to lift occupant satisfaction rates above 80%. To create instances of thermal pleasure, these dynamic effects need to be better understood, and solutions developed that excite the thermal sense and overcome thermal boredom.
Thomas Parkinson & Richard de Dear (2015) Thermal pleasure in built environments: physiology of alliesthesia, Building Research & Information, 43:3, 288-301, DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2015.989662
Read the full paper at Taylor & Francis Online.
See also: Healthy excursions outside the thermal comfort zone.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Cold stress.
- Comfort in low energy buildings.
- Dry-bulb temperature.
- Evolving opportunities for providing thermal comfort.
- Globe temperature.
- Healthy excursions outside the thermal comfort zone.
- Heat stress.
- Maximum and minimum workplace temperatures.
- Mean radiant temperature.
- Operative temperature.
- Overheating - assessment protocol.
- Predicted mean vote.
- Preventing overheating.
- Psychometric charts.
- Sling psychrometer.
- Temperature.
- The building as climate modifier.
- Thermal comfort.
- Thermal environment.
- Thermal indices.
- Wet-bulb temperature.
- Wet-bulb globe temperature.
[edit] External references
- de Dear, R. (2011). Revisiting an old hypothesis of human thermal perception: Alliesthesia. Building Research&Information, 39(2), 108–117.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09613218.2011.55226
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.