Forget air conditioning: the most effective way to combat August heat (and facilitate summer drinks parties) is the screened porch. Here's a roundup of some favorites.

Above: A porch at the Cloud 9 ranch in Texas by Lake Flato Architects.

Above: A screened porch in Texas by Poteet Architects.

Above: A sleeping porch in the Sullivan County, New York, cabin of Scott Newkirk (to create a similar look, consult Steal This Look: Summer Sleeping Porch).

Above: Two views of a modern screened porch by architect David Salmela in Wisconsin; via Dwell.

Above: Iconic Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius' own house in Lincoln, Massachusetts, incorporated New England details, including a screened porch.

Above two photos: A screened porch in New York by Platt Dana Architects.

Above: Photographer William Abronowicz's screened porch in Westchester County, via Martha Stewart.

Above: A screened porch in Napa, by San Francisco designer Ken Fulk; via House Beautiful.

Above: A two-story screened porch at the Claverack Homesteads, designed by Dennis Wedlick.

Above: A screened-in space in a Maine coastal house by Sheila Narusawa Architects.