← Sustainability & Urban Design
Thermal Mass
SUSTAINABILITY & URBAN DESIGNintermediate
Definition
The ability of a material to absorb, store, and slowly release heat. Heavy materials like concrete, brick, and stone have high thermal mass — they absorb heat during the day and release it at night, moderating temperature swings. When used strategically, thermal mass can reduce mechanical heating and cooling.
Example
The ancient Adobe buildings of the American Southwest use thick clay walls with high thermal mass — cool in the desert day, warm during cold desert nights — a passive climate control strategy 1,000 years old.