Heat Refuge Room
This pattern is shaped by
Problem
As extreme heat events become more frequent and more lethal, every dwelling needs at least one room that stays habitable without mechanical cooling — the room you survive in when the power goes out during a heat wave.
Evidence and Discussion
Heat is now the deadliest weather event in North America and Europe. The 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome killed over 600 people, many in homes without air conditioning. The 2023 Phoenix heat wave saw over 600 heat-associated deaths. Extreme heat events are becoming longer, hotter, and more frequent, and the power grid fails precisely when cooling demand peaks.
The principles are well-understood: north-facing orientation (in the Northern Hemisphere), thick walls with high thermal mass, small or shaded windows, cross-ventilation from prevailing breezes, earth-sheltering where possible, and light-colored exterior surfaces.
Therefore
in every dwelling, design at least one room — ideally the bedroom — that stays below 26°C (80°F) without mechanical cooling during the hottest conditions the region experiences. This means: north-facing or heavily shaded; thick walls or high thermal mass; operable windows positioned for cross-ventilation; exterior shading that blocks summer sun while admitting winter sun. Test this room against a 72-hour power failure during a peak heat event. If it's not survivable, redesign.