Early Design Strategies for Passive Cooling of Buildings: Lessons Learned from Italian Archetypes

alternative solutions are needed to reduce energy consumption in the summer season without sacrificing good comfort quality. The study of traditional archetypes, related to the specific climate regionalism of a location, shows that valid solutions are related with the inclusion of passive cooling techniques in buildings. Nevertheless, since these systems refer to a large toolbox, including different strategies and natural heat sinks, it is important to conceive their usage from early design phases in order to maximise their potential, increase their level of integration into building shapes and choose the best solutions for each climate and location. This chapter aims at translating traditional vernacular solutions for guaranteeing the indoor comfort in Italian climates into contemporary guidelines for architects.