Knowledge
belongs to everyone.
Science should be understandable and available to everyone—not hidden behind paywalls or technical language. Explore independently authored, free-to-read research and learn to evaluate what a study really says.
Knowledge should not
have a price tag.
Every scientific study featured in our access-checked library has a legally available free full-text version. We believe research on housing, energy, health and climate resilience should reach the people who need it—not remain behind subscription barriers.
The collection contains 200 unique peer-reviewed papers. Each has a DOI matched to its publication record, a retrieved legal full text, and a short educational explanation. Read our checking approach.
Browse free-to-read papers ↗The studies in this library are the work of their original researchers—not research produced by TerraViva Homes. We independently curate and explain studies, identify the original authors, and provide both the DOI and a link to a freely accessible full text. Educational notes are AI-assisted and based on selective full-text checks, with household illustrations clearly separated from reported findings.
Start with what
matters to you.
Seven interconnected themes connect city-scale research with everyday decisions about homes.
Cities & neighborhoods
Urban heat, city form, density, land cover and neighborhood differences.
Why is my neighborhood hotter than one nearby? ↗Trees & outdoor cooling
Tree shade, green space, wind, reflective ground surfaces and cooling.
How much do trees really cool the air? ↗Walls, roofs & windows
Insulation, thermal mass, glazing, airtightness and building materials.
Does extra wall insulation save energy? ↗Indoor comfort & health
Overheating, ventilation, humidity, thermal comfort and health.
Why does my home stay hot at night? ↗Home energy & retrofits
Heat pumps, cooling systems, passive strategies and measured energy savings.
Which improvements reduce energy bills? ↗Housing & climate equity
Energy burden, vulnerable households, access, affordability and climate justice.
Who faces the greatest heat and energy burden? ↗Future climate & resilience
Heatwaves, changing cooling needs, weather extremes and preparedness.
Will homes need more cooling in the future? ↗Have a question?
Search in everyday language. Our reviewed articles have full-text links; additional open-access candidates are clearly labeled as not yet reviewed.
Research,
not just headlines.
Every verified study has an original-author credit, a DOI, a direct open full-text link and a plain-language reading note with limitations.
Never read a
journal article?
Start with the research question. Look at where and how the study was conducted. Read the actual results—and always ask what the authors say their findings cannot show.
Our beginner-friendly guide explains abstracts, methods, figures, peer review, DOI links, the difference between correlation and causation, and why a finding from one home or climate may not apply to another.
Learn how to read researchFrom academic papers
to practical understanding.
We do not offer one-size-fits-all answers. We make evidence easier to find, examine and use responsibly.