Study of innovative solutions of the building envelope for passive houses in Mediterranean areas

In Mediterranean climate, passive houses have to be designed to contrast overheating, considering the dynamic behaviour of the opaque envelope, the effect of shading devices and free-cooling. These aspects prevail on the use of elevated insulation thickness and large windowed surfaces toward South. Innovative technical solutions involving dry assembled opaque walls with natural materials and the role of thermal inertia combined with free-cooling, are investigated. A reference building with thermal energy requirements lower than 15 kWh/m², both in winter and in summer, was identified analysing the thermal bridges in the structural nodes and the rational exploitation of solar heat gains.