Bioclimatic performances of traditional straw construction in Italy and in Portugal

Abstract

Technological innovation in envelope solutions integrate design ideas with performance levels, by investigating their potential, by creating a link between creative act and productive moment. New artificial materials are not the sole products meant to achieve sustainable solutions: lately a number of old materials - straw, stone, rammed earth - are becoming again updated for sustainability, zero waste production, bioclimatic behaviour and comfort and health, besides being economy and locally available. Their great potential, as envelope elements is investigated in this paper, through a bioclimatic comparison between cases from Italy and from Portugal. Italian example is "Casone", typical of Venetian neighbourhood, Portuguese is fisherman dwelling from Carrasqueira village (Lisbon). Promotion of vegetable materials can switch on processes of virtuous management of agricultural by-products, and produce environmental benefits for local regions. Real potential of vegetable materials as sustainable products for new constructions can be assessed.