Resources
The following resources provide additional information on traditional window awnings within the context of historic preservation, building science and energy performance. These publications, organizations, and guidance documents informed the development of Awnings for New York and offer opportunities for further exploration.
National Park Service Guidance
Authoritative publications on the preservation, rehabilitation, and compatible use of window awnings in historic buildings in the United States.
Historic Preservation
LPC Permit Guidebook - Awnings and Sidewalk Canopies
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Official guidance from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission outlining permit requirements, design criteria, and best practices for installing, replacing, or modifying awnings and sidewalk canopies on designated landmark properties and within historic districts.
Awnings and Canopies - Learning from the Past
Robyn Pender, Historic England The Building Conservation Directory, 2021
An insightful article exploring the historical use of awnings as climate-responsive building elements and making the case for their reintroduction as an effective, low-carbon strategy for improving comfort, natural ventilation, and the performance of historic buildings in the UK.
Building Science and Energy Performance
Energy Performance of Awnings in Residential Buildings
Mahabir Bhandari, Niraj Kunwar, Anthony Gehl, John Gant Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2022
A landmark study combining field measurements and energy simulation to quantify the performance of operable window awnings. The research found that awnings can reduce annual HVAC energy consumption by approximately 15% and provides one of the strongest scientific foundations for using exterior shading as an energy-efficient retrofit strategy today.
A Study of Architectural Measures to Reduce Overheating
Historic England, 2026
A reference evaluating a range of architectural measures that improve thermal comfort while respecting historic character. The report examines the effectiveness, practicality, and heritage impacts of interventions including external shading, shutters, awnings, vegetation, ventilation, and roof and wall treatments.
Solar Shading Systems: Design, Performance, and Integrated Photovoltaics
Maria Mandalaki & Theocharis Tsoutsos Springer Briefs in Energy, Springer International Publishing, 2020
A reference on the design and performance of solar shading systems covering thermal comfort, daylighting, energy efficiency, and emerging photovoltaic-integrated shading technologies. An excellent resource for understanding how exterior shading can improve building performance while supporting sustainable design.
Awnings in Residential Buildings: The Impact on Energy Use and Peak Demand
John Carmody, Kerry Haglund & Yu Joe Huang Center for Sustainable Building Research, University of Minnesota; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), 2007
A comprehensive study evaluating the impact of window awnings on cooling energy use and peak electricity demand across twelve U.S. climate zones. Using energy simulations, the report demonstrates how awnings can significantly reduce cooling loads, particularly on south- and west-facing windows, while highlighting the importance of seasonal deployment and building orientation.
Articles and Publications
Awning Makers Count Windows, and Smile
Alexander R. Hammer The New York Times, January 22, 1957
Apartment Awnings a Casualty Of World War II and Rent Curb
The New York Times Editorial Staff The New York Times,July 31, 1960
Streetscapes: A Small Revival for a Long-Vanished Adornment
Christopher Gray The New York Times, October 3, 1993
The Humble Awning is Ready for its Time in the Sun
Edwin Heathcote Financial Times, June 19, 2023
In a Hotter World, We Need to Get Over Our Fear of Shadows
Sam Bloch The New York Times, July 11, 2025
Videos and Presentations
Window Awnings as a Climate Strategy for Existing Buildings
Anne Maxwell Foster Onera Foundation, 2026
A presentation introducing the research behind Awnings for New York, exploring the history of window awnings, the science of passive cooling, and their potential to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in New York City's historic and older buildings.
Awnings: A Simple Cooling Tech We Apparently Forgot About
@TechnologyConnections YouTube, 2024
“You ever reach way back into your brain and uncover something from the not-too-distant past that seems weirdly obvious but isn’t popular anymore?”
Johnny Cash’s Awning Radio Ad
@johnnycashofficial 1955, Courtesy of the John R. Cash Revocable Trust
“Even without air conditioning, you can make your home several degrees cooler this summer, and the summers to come…” A classic radio advertisement features a young Johnny Cash promoting the Home Equipment Company’s “Cool Glow” Awnings.