Dr. Petros A. Lapithis. Intercollege, P. O.Box 24005, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel: +357 22351274, Fax: +357 22353682, E-mail: lapithis. p@intercollege. ac. cy,

http://www. intercol. ac. cy. www. lapithis. com

The aim of this research is to investigate the traditional and contemporary architecture in order to further improve design methodology in passive solar architecture, and presenting an example of an ideal energy efficient house that takes into account climate, comfort, passive solar systems and the history of architecture of Cyprus.

Thermal performance of traditional, contemporary and solar houses is discussed in relation to climate and in terms of the various aspects necessary for understanding such performances. These aspects include architectural design, constructional materials and methods, occupancy patterns and planning. Different architectural and constructional elements and techniques that were used in traditional houses are studied in relation to their use in passive design today and serve as fine examples of energy-saving architecture.

The following conclusions were made concerning thermal comfort in Cyprus1:

• An average of 19.5°C — 29°C is the proposed temperature, within the comfort zone limits of Cyprus

• An average of 20-75% is the proposed relative humidity, within the comfort zone limits of Cyprus.

Cypriot traditional houses have proved to be superiorly energy-efficient when compared to contemporary houses due to the thermal performance of both cases based on their architectural design. Comparative annual energy use was performed using computer simulation software Energy 10 resulting that the most energy efficient is the experimental solar house (121 kWh/m2) following the traditional (243 kWh/m2) and final the contemporary (368 kwh/m2).

Taking into account the general characteristics of the dry climate and the requirements it imposes on the house characteristics and the general characteristics and thermal performance of traditional and contemporary houses, it may be concluded that traditional houses in Cyprus meet the requirements imposed by the climate and that these houses are good enough thermally to perform well under the prevailing weather conditions. Because of Cyprus climate, passive solar architecture works to its full capacity. This means that, a passive solar house has 100% energy saving potential. This theory has not remained at its conceptual stage as the experimental solar house has demonstrated it in practice.