Sustainable requalification: Hemp, Raw Earth, Sun, and Wind for energy strategies in a case study in Naples, Italy

Abstract

This paper highlights the development of strategies using a green approach that can be adopted to manage interventions to promote energy efficiency. It focuses on the result of a case study carried out on an existing residential building located in Naples, Italy. The green methodology adopted in this study met the needs and requests of the building owner, who asked for natural materials. We assessed the possibility of maximizing achievable thermal energy savings and hygrometric behavior, starting from the climatic characteristics. The first step was to evaluate the aspects related to sunshine, thermal inputs, natural lighting, and natural ventilation, and prevailing winds. Subsequently, the casing was redesigned with the aim of minimizing energy consumption by using natural materials. Such materials added value to the project by combining high performance and considerations of the residents' health. The objective here was to identify strategies for the well-being of residents both in winter and summer, by reducing energy consumption and installation management costs as well as increasing livability.