Well-Tempered
For a Climate-Suitable Architecture!
A fireplace becomes the heart of the home in winter (Hot Spot). A lowered ceiling reduces room size, making it easier to heat (spatial compaction). An alcove for sleeping retains body heat and doesn’t necessarily require external energy sources (cocoon).
The exhibition "Well-Tempered. For a Climate-Suitable Architecture!" focuses on traditional building culture and explores which architectural forms and materials have allowed for comfortable indoor temperatures – and what this could mean for future construction. It contributes to the discussion on energy efficiency, CO2 neutrality, and the energy transition.
Without complex technology like heat pumps or solar panels, traditional building culture—known as vernacular architecture—demonstrates intelligent design and effective energy use. It relies on local resources and considers regional weather and climate conditions. Despite this, certain building and energy principles are universal. The exhibition brings five of these principles to life in an interactive experience.
The core of the exhibition features over 50 examples of traditional European building culture, curated by numerous architects. Organized by architectural principles, these are presented through photos and texts, forming a large “atlas.”
The exhibition, originally presented at the Slovenian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2023, is hosted by the Architecture Museum in Ljubljana (MAO) with two young architecture firms from Ljubljana leading the project. Unlike in Venice, at the Molfsee Open-Air Museum, we can create a direct connection with historic buildings on site. This exhibition provides a fresh perspective on traditional buildings, highlighting the potential and insights these large collection pieces offer for contemporary architecture.
A booklet with a quiz designed for the outdoor area invites visitors to delve deeper into the exhibition’s themes in the surrounding buildings. Additionally, we invite you to reflect on how we might wish to live in the future.