The kindergarten of Crosara by Sergio Los: reassessing a pioneering thermally efficient building

Abstract

Given the environmental and energy crises, European directives are targeting building energy efficiency. Architects must improve the thermal performance of their designs to approach Nearly-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards. Energy-efficient experimental buildings from the 1970s are often held up as inspiring examples of energy-conscious architectural design. However, the lack of quantitative data about their thermal performance, measured using current evaluation standards and units, makes their legacy difficult to interpret today. This study aims to verify the relevance of 1970s energy-efficient architecture by quantifying the thermal performance of an exemplary case: the kindergarten designed by Sergio Los in Crosara (Italy). The thermal performance of the building in its original configuration is re-assessed using energy simulation software and discussed relative to past and present standards, including carbon emissions. The results quantify the contributions of different energy-conscious strategies and show that the building’s pioneering performance results primarily from the architect’s bioclimatic design decisions. The study demonstrates how architects reduced building energy demands in the 1970s and explores the impact of their strategies relative to contemporary efficiency priorities.