Living in the Comfort Zone: At What Cost?

摘要

This article will explore the influence of technology in maximizing our sense of comfort—physical and psychological—while minimizing our connection with nature and the consequences of this estrangement, which present a significant barrier to livingsustainably on the planet. Humans are fast-tracking into a bubble existence: living and working around the clock in mechanically heated, cooled, and ventilated buildings, often unaware of the real weather outside. This article discusses the concepts of biophilia and biophobia and how each is shaping our current society. Both the physiological and psychological issues of our increasingly indoor living as a species will be explored, with a review of occupant behavior including changes to clothing, and howsustainable building design can affect how we approach the need for living in the comfort zone.