Modernism sought to bring a healthy uniformity to architectural design, in part through with clean lines and material minimalism. New technologies like air conditioning also allowed for an unprecedented level of global standardization in terms of temperature-controlled spaces. Of course, this often meant disregarding local traditions that had been successful for centuries (or longer). Among the regional strategies that got lost along the way was a seemingly small but critical factor: the variable heights of rooms humans build and occupy.

As a vernacular design critic who goes by Wrath of Gnon explains, “Before the International Style (modernism) in architecture, our ancestors knew how to adapt the room heights according to the climate, achieving maximum effect (comfort) for the least effort (energy). Today we trust in the grid and so build 8-9 ft rooms from Bermuda to Reykjavik.”

Ideally, the, in warm climates you want higher ceilings because “as hot air rises the difference in temperature at floor level and ceiling level in a tall room can be as much as 4 degrees [celcius] all other things being equal. Here, a comfortable looking gentleman in an 1817 room in Rome,” height around 15 feet. In Brazil, 15-foot homes were typical historically.

Conversely, in colder climates, lower ceilings meant higher temperatures. “Here are log houses from Russia and Sweden. The efficiently constructed fireplace created an interior draught that sucked fresh air in and expelled smoke, dust. Fans or mechanical ventilation not needed.”

In Japan, “with hot summers and relatively cold winters, a different technique was called for. Wooden houses allowed for perfect fine tunings of openings depending on exact climate and orientation. This traditional room built to maximize airflow, livable in summers without AC.”

In short: choosing the right materials, heights and orientations for a climate makes a big difference. “By building with nature and climate instead or regardless of it, by adapting our waking hours to the rhythm of the sun we can achieve remarkable levels of comfort—even superior—compared to what we have today in our modern homes built to international, industrial standards.”

More stable and versatile than a typical temporary above-ground pool and less likely to tank your home real estate value than a built-in one, this modular plug-and-play swimming pool is the best of both worlds.

Developed by Canadian company Modpools, these converted shipping containers measure 8 by 20 feet (or 8 by 40), can be used year-round and can be converted for use as a hot tub on demand (via a segmenting module).

Using the relatively light but sturdy shape of the container as a framework, these pools can be lifted and loaded onto trucks and trains (just like any other inter-modal unit). They can also be plugged in and set to go in minutes, then rearranged on a lot should a resident decide to expand their existing home or reconfigure their yard.

Historically, having a carved-out backyard pool has been known to actually reduce real estate values, leading many homeowners to fill theirs in before putting a house up for sale. With this solution, the pool can simply be relocated to a new residence or resold and used somewhere else.

Currently priced around $27,000 they don’t come cheap, but offer correspondingly more flexibility — the twice-as-long 40-footer is also not much more expensive at $35,000 for those with the space.

The pools come with bonus technology features, too, like the ability to control the lighting and heating remotely, letting users crank up the warmth while on the way home to take a swim in the pool or a soak in the hot tub.

Its shape inspired by goats, the creatures that helped humans discovered coffee, this modern-day drinking horn is curved to make drinking easier and capped to let you take your java on the road.

Designed by desnahemisfera in cooperation with Equa, the Goat Story drinking device comes equipped with a leather holder to act as a heat barrier while walking or a stand while sitting.

The travel-ready cup also comes with a short and long leather carrying strap, which can also be combined to form an even longer version.

From its creators: “As easy as 1-2-3, your GOAT STORY coffee mug will be able to stand on your office desk and it will be at a hand´s reach all the time. Just take the handle off, turn it around, place the mug in it. Voila! The ergonomic shape will help you drink your coffee. Have we mentioned that it won’t fall over?”

“It comes with a cross body strap, which lets you carry your business case in one hand while replying e-mails on your phone, in between sips. Also, you can use the shorter strap to attach it to your bag or carry it around your wrist and keep your hands free.”

Flexible and portable, this hanging hot tub hammock can be suspended from trees or other supports or tucked into scooped-out depressions along sandy beaches or on snowy mountainsides, compact enough to be checked on a plane with its associated portable heating unit.

The highly-mobile Hydro Hammock requires only 20 gallons (less than half of a typical bathtub and supports use by two adults to be used as a hot tub and can be used to line existing voids or suspended in midair. An accompanying device pumps water from wherever it is available and heats it electrically along the way – an eventual goal for future models is to use solar heat so no batteries or other external power source will be required. The extra-durable, high-tensile-strength material supports up to 700 pounds and its canvass-like surfaces give it traction for users.

Aside from its core function as a hot tub, the heavy-duty fabric and associated pump can be reconfigured to turn the system into an outdoor shower or left empty and simply used as a traditional hammock. Its primary target audience, however, is people who wish to have a retreat from extreme environments, taking a hot (and optionally: bubble-filled) vessel with them for breaks from cold ocean waters in the summer or freezing outdoor temperatures in the winter.

More from its makers: “Durable and portable hammocks ready for soothing hot or cool refreshing water. Relax, rejuvenate and fully stretch out in comfort beyond the constraints of an iron or fiberglass bathtub. Equipped with a portable water heater system, LPG or electric. Hydro Hammocks require less water than bathtubs and have a slip resistant texture. The shapes are adjustable and are easy to set up either fully or partially suspended.”

For one day only, residents of Bristol were offered just 360 ‘tickets to slide’ (out of nearly 100,000 applicants) down a main city street at over 10 miles an hour, surrounded by thousands of jealous onlookers.

Inspired by the previous year’s heat wave and created by Luke Jerram, this participatory crowdfunded project was an inclusive, all-ages community endeavor, with sliders ranging from 5 to 73 years old.

The slide was installed on Park Street in Bristol as part of Make Sunday Special and the Bristol Art Weekender, drawing a mix of participants from within and beyond the city.

Plastic sheets over padded mats were shaped and held in place by hay bales – this simple canyon was then supplied with continuous water to ensure a smooth ride from top to bottom.

While he has no plan to tour his own creation, Luke is going to make the plans freely available for other people who want to follow suit, making public water slides in their own towns or cities around the world.