Rekindling Hearth: An Investigation and Discussion of the Traditional and Evolving Roles of Hearth in Architecture

Abstract

This research explores the evolving role of the hearth in domestic architecture, examining its historical significance and its continuing symbolic and architectural significance. Once essential for heat, cooking, and gathering, the hearth has shifted from necessity to nostalgic artifact due to technological advances and changing domestic patterns. This study reexamines the hearth’s spatial, social, and functional roles in architecture through a combination of literature review, theoretical analysis, and visual diagramming. Six case studies, spanning pre-modern to contemporary housing, are analyzed to identify patterns and transformations in hearth placement and significance. Through detailed diagrams, the paper offers a visual and theoretical framework to understand hearth as both a cultural artifact and architectural feature, encouraging readers to question the role of comfort, memory, and centeredness in modern homes. Interpretations suggest that the hearth remains a vital architectural and cultural element, offering insight into how we define comfort, community, and home. This study concludes by advocating for a renewed understanding of the hearth in contemporary architecture as a meaningful tool for fostering well-being, and long-lasting domestic design