The Recent History of Balcony Design in Housing Buildings as an Archetype of Well-Being

Abstract

This article covers the evolution of the balcony archetype since the late nineteenth century when this element, identified as cellular and isolated, a private space above the public and collective realm, took on a significant role in housing buildings. Using analysis of the literature and primary sources, the aim of this overview is to understand the main paradigms and concerns that conditioned the design of balconies and to contribute to the redefinition of the Mediterranean balcony. In this study, a division of recent balcony design history is proposed into three key periods: the rise of open balconies in the nineteenth century related to the new health and hygiene standards; the mid-twentieth century reinterpretation of the traditional shading systems for sunlight and ventilation control on balconies; and the popularization of the glazed balconies on the 1970s in response to the energy crisis. This understanding of how the exploration of balcony design was shaped by the search for comfort and well-being at each moment could contribute to more sustainable housing models in Southern Mediterranean countries.