Evolution of the Front Porch
In my readings about the evolution of the front porch in America, I found the following insights, which intuitively make sense: Porches were where people hung out for coolness before air conditioning. These would be on the south or east side of the house so that late afternoons could be spent in the breeze, away from direct sunlight. With the increasing availability of A/Cs, social life migrated indoors. People started to “think of their suburban homes as stand-alone capsules of family life rather than as co-dependent parts of a community.”
It seems that outdoor space is on the decline in newer homes. This seems to be losing the sustainability advantages of porches: use less electricity, get to know your neighbors, and make the neighborhood safer and friendlier by keeping your eye on it.
