Sketch for Conservatory Windows

While the Sun is an important, recurring symbol throughout the design of The Cosmic House, the solar theme was also put into practice in the thermodynamics of the building. In initial designs the Jenckses wanted to install a solar panel wall on the rear façade. Eventually Terry Farrell developed a scheme in which the large south-facing windows would capitalise on solar energy, directing heat up from the bottom of the Solar Stair and rendering the stairwell into a ‘central heating in a literal sense’. These sketches show some early proposals featuring conservatory window designs.