Approximately since 9000 BC, until the mid 20th century AD, construction methods have varied only slightly. The construction of houses was economical by using materials found in the area like stone, wood, reeds and earth. Structural solutions were simple and effective. Traditional houses are generally south oriented with its long axis along the East — West direction. Then the division of this room called ‘Dhichoron’ (double space), the addition of other rooms called ‘Sospiton’ (inner room) and a covered veranda called ‘Iliakos’ (solarium) were placed (figure 1).

Due to its orientation and the mild weather conditions of the plain, the ‘iliakos’ was used as a sitting room, cooking place and generally as a working place. The Solarium is an indispensable solar feature of the Cypriot house and a unique house element in Greek architecture. It was an early instinctive approach to passive solar design. Its solar role was predominant whether acting as an arched corridor, as a central axis or even when it evolved into a self-contained space.

1. Makrinari (long room)

2. Dhichoron (double space)

3. Sospiton (inner room)

4. Sospiton (inner room)

5. Iliakos (solarium)

6. Traditional earth oven.

7. Courtyard.

External windows may be found on one or two sides of the house, depending on its position in the planning area. Such windows are limited in number, small in size and positioned high in the wall to reduce the amount of heat admitted into the house and to reduce ground glare in summer. As the width of each window is almost equal to the thickness of the wall, such windows also function as vertical louvers and prevent most of the direct solar radiation from penetrating into houses.

All the openings were placed to the south wall to provide natural light and heat. Small openings called ‘arseres’ were also used in every house. These were placed at the upper part of the walls. In summer, they allowed lighter hot air to go out of the house and be replaced by cooler air from outside, while in winter, thymes (small dense bushes) were closing these openings and they provided thermal insulation