Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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present-day architectural language. Moreover, in the case of housing, energy
engineering can have an effect on the actual functioning of the dwelling with a view to
allowing the latter to satisfy contemporary housing demands to a greater extent.
It is nowadays necessary to guarantee higher comfort levels in housing although not at
the expense of the qualitative and aesthetic aspects. In this sense, the research work
endeavours to appreciate how architectural language is modulated by the need to
reconcile environmental sensitivity with energy saving standards.
The aim is to try and understand how energy saving systems form part of the process of
architectural conception and composition and what problems stand in the way of
considering these systems as architectural elements, reducing them to mere devices
external to the building object.
In other words, the research work is aimed at identifying an approach or a method in
which the energy storage or generation components are acknowledged as having an
aesthetic-compositional potential geared to their correct inclusion in the design process.
Lastly, the need to relate energy needs to the specific environmental context and the
local building techniques also solves the problem typically facing contemporary
architecture of the de-contextualization of the building vis-à-vis its historical and
environmental context.
Methodologically speaking, the research work was carried out in parallel on both project
aspects – technological and formal. The synthesis of these two aspects will allow
relations to be defined between energy efficiency and building shape.
Research method
The first part of the research focused on the study of virtuous cases of Italian and
European residential buildings. Among the passive heating and cooling technologies it
was decided to focus on those that in their application to the architectural project were
found to play a leading role in defining building shape. A list was therefore drawn up of
passive systems and of the more advanced application strategies available at the
present state of the art.
Among the possible energy systems the
bioclimatic sunspace
was chosen as an
exemplary case. This system has now taken on particular significance also thanks to the
recent legislative measures to promote its use.
In the second part of the research an in-depth study was made of the bioclimatic
sunspace considered as an integral part of the dwelling, that is, an extension of the
internal space of the dwelling. The choice of this system over others was supported by
the research potential offered by this system vis-à-vis the formal composition of the
architectural project. In this way it was possible to further investigate the spatial relations
between the system and the building, as well as between the system and the individual
dwelling (for instance, implications regarding the internal distribution of the dwelling in
relation to the positioning of the sunspace).
In view of the foregoing, an examination was made of the possible relations between
energy efficiency and bioclimatic sunspace shape, as well as those between the
sunspace system and the architectural body.
One important result of the research would be to contribute to residential building design
by identifying action strategies or suitable methods for optimization and the most
satisfactory integration of the passive systems. The results could be extended from the
bioclimatic sunspace to take in all energy systems, including the more innovative ones,
One essential factor in this regard is the low cost of the required action, which must be
compatible with residential building practice.
The research activity was developed along the following lines:
