lable at ScienceDirect

Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–1106

Contents lists avai

Building and Environment

journal homepage: www.elsevier .com/locate/bui ldenv

Evaluation of a sustainable Greek vernacular settlement and its landscape:Architectural typology and building physics

Vissilia Anna-Maria*

Architect-Landscape Architect, Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Structural Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Civil Engineering, Kodrou 13, 105 58 Athens, Greece

a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:Received 17 September 2007Received in revised form 14 May 2008Accepted 15 May 2008

Keywords:Vernacular architectureAdobe (mud brick)SustainableBioclimatic designBuilding physicsLandscape

* Tel.: þ30 210 3246897; fax: þ30 210 3246734.E-mail address: annamaria@vissilia.com

0360-1323/$ – see front matter � 2008 Elsevier Ltd.doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.05.026

a b s t r a c t

Sernikaki is a Greek vernacular settlement that can be imagined as a living organism is the outcome ofcenturies of optimization of material use, construction techniques and climate considerations. Beingmountainous and isolated, this small vernacular settlement has preserved old types of dwellings longerthan other areas in Phokida, in mainland Greece, and it can, thus, provide rich material for the under-standing of architectural continuity and evolution. In this study, various types of adobe dwellings aresurveyed and their response to climate, in terms of site and building design, is evaluated. In addition, thetechniques of creating microclimatic conditions by incorporating the existing environmental parametersinto the design are considered. Bioclimatic design employs appropriate technologies and design principlesbased on a thoughtful approach to climate and environment. It is concerned with the layout of the buildings(orientation in relation to sun and wind, aspect ratio), the spacing (site planning), the air movement, theopenings (size–position, protection), and the building envelope (walls: construction materials-thickness,roof construction detailing). This paper evaluates specific vernacular dwelling types and their response toclimate, based on passive design principles that could be adapted to current architectural practice in thearea, in order to optimize the relationship between site, building and climate.

� 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

The architecture of vernacular settlements reflects Greek life-style and cultural values of the past. These building types and theirsite planning have evolved through time and they have reachedtheir form and layout through trial and error methods. They wereable to respond to the needs of their inhabitants, the climaticconditions, and the topography, because of the simplicity of thebuilding processes, the techniques and the local materialsemployed (adobe, stone and timber).

In the vernacular architecture of Sernikaki one can easilyobserve an absence of purely conceptual and aesthetic purposes,and a focus on a holistic approach that considers the role of theenvironment as a major one, within the limits of the resourcesavailable. Within this view, the traditional builders were concernedwith a variety of parameters that affected a building as well as withthe quality of the building itself. Traditionally designed buildingsare often considered as the predecessors of modern bioclimaticdesign [1]. They display years of embodied experience built on therelationship between building and climate, implying a logicalanalysis, the consideration of appropriate principles, and a rational

All rights reserved.

use of resources. These buildings, therefore, can be studied asmodels of environmentally responsive and sustainable architec-ture. In our days, the need for energy thrift design has been wellunderstood and for this purpose appropriate regulations have beendrafted [2,3]. There is also a greater awareness of the importance ofthe socio cultural identity of a place. Both issues make the study ofvernacular settlements, such as Sernikaki, very important.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the Greek vernacularsettlement of Sernikaki, in terms of its architectural typology andbuilding physics. This paper shows that such a building environ-ment acts as a living organism that is inherently sustainablethrough the use of various bioclimatic concepts applied in itsoriginal construction, is tightly integrated with the landscape andhas a minimum waste of resources. The subsequent analysis iscomprised of two major parts: 1) a study concerning the evolutionof the built environment (typological analysis, site planning,construction materials and techniques); and 2) an evaluation ofspecific vernacular dwelling types and their response to climate,based on passive design principles that are responsible for thebioclimatic character of the settlement.

2. Bioclimatic concepts and building physics

Bioclimatic design, by definition, satisfies the needs of humanbeings (thermal, luminous and acoustics). It considers climatic

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–11061096

conditions, uses techniques and materials available in the regionand attempts to integrate the building with its surroundings.Moreover, bioclimatic design relies on building physics, which isthe ability and knowledge of how to allow sunlight, heat, andairflow through the building envelope when necessary, at certainmoments of each day and month of the year [4].

The vernacular architecture of Sernikaki may be defined asbioclimatic since, it can be argued, the traditional builder of Ser-nikaki understood bioclimatic concepts, aspects of building physics,and the strong relationship between site, climate and building thatmade him aware of the consequences of design choices. The waysvernacular architecture of Sernikaki considers the effects of climaticconditions on the buildings’ envelope suggests knowledge of thebuilding physics at an empirical level. This empirical knowledgepertains to basic concepts of thermal properties and of heattransfer, air movement and solar geometry.

3. Sernikaki: a Greek vernacular settlement in Phokida

3.1. Location and history

Sernikaki is a mountainous village located in Phokida, inmainland Greece, 6 km Southeast of Amfissa with approximately300 inhabitants (Fig. 1). It is located at 22� 230 6000 East longitude,38� 280 6000 North latitude and at an altitude of 307 m above sealevel. It is one of the oldest vernacular settlements established inthe area around the ancient olive plantation of Amfissa. It wasrelatively isolated throughout its historical course, and thus pro-tected from outside influences. The smooth development of thebuilt environment was frequently interrupted by earthquakes, themost recent ones being in 1870 and 1894, which caused enormousdestruction along the region. Most of the houses date back to thesecond half of the 19th century and they have totally replaced olderstructures or been added to older house-cores.

3.2. Climatic data

Due to its location Sernikaki enjoys a moderate climate withwarm summers and moderately cold winters. Getting correctclimatic data of Sernikaki is not easy since it is a village withouta meteorological station. The climatic data shown in Table 1 usesthe nearest station data, about 60 km away. Air temperature rea-ches a mean maximum of 27.1 �C and a mean minimum of 8.3 �C.The summer months have an average temperature of 26.2 �C, whilethe winter months have an average temperature of 9 �C. The annual

Fig. 1. Overview of the settlement.

average temperature is about 17 �C and the relative humidity variesfrom 55% to 78%. North easterly winds characterize the warmseason, thus bringing warmth, while the cold season is character-ized by strong North westerly winds [5].

3.3. Mahoney indicators

The climatic data has been incorporated in the Mahoney Tableswhich provide preliminary design recommendations. They aregrouped under eight headings: layout, spacing, air movement,openings, position of openings, protection of openings, walls, androofs. The following is a summary of the recommendations forSernikaki: a) Layout: buildings oriented on an east–west axis toreduce sun exposure; b) Spacing: compact planning; c) Air move-ment: rooms double-banked with temporary means for windpassage; d) Openings: medium-sized openings, 20–40% of wallarea; e) Position of openings: openings in north and south walls atbody height on windward elevation, as well as including openingsin internal walls; f) Protection of openings: protection from directsunlight; g) Walls: high mass; and h) Roofs: high mass [6].

4. Analysis of the built environment

Sernikaki has a strong vernacular character of great interest,both morphologically and structurally, with a unique landscapepattern. This study examines the most important architecturalforms found in Sernikaki that played a significant role in theevolution of vernacular architecture in Phokida and which aresubject to preservation. The collected data is the outcome ofpersonal field work, i.e., the author measured, sketched, observed,and interviewed inhabitants, local designers as well as public andprivate experts relating to the energy aspects of the buildings.

4.1. Typological analysis

In the microcosm of Sernikaki, certain types of mainland Greekdwellings were introduced to central Greece by building guilds.These types of dwellings gradually evolved according to the needs ofthe population. Dwellings were the result of collaboration amongmany people over many generations including collaborationbetween builders and owners. In Sernikaki, there is clarity in thegeneral layout of the dwellings both in its architectural synthesis aswell as in its structural formation; the building envelope is simple,clear, and easy to grasp. Two main themes are constant, i.e., massivebuilding forms and extensive courtyards. A thorough investigation ofthe existing dwellings of Sernikaki, resulted in the identification offour major types of buildings and their respective variations. Theclassification and typological analysis is based on functional char-acteristics, i.e., use-patterns and variations of the basic form (Table 2).

4.2. Site planning

Sernikaki developed in response to orientation, wind direction,and topography (Fig. 2). It has a clear-cut organization that definesthe use of space and determines the distinction between public andprivate areas. Dwellings are detached with extensive courtyardsand sinuous streets of varying shape, width, and position (flat,inclined or stepped with stone stairways) that connect buildings toone another (Fig. 3). The main zones of circulation are found at thelower level whereas several secondary ones of smaller size connectthe building in other levels. A number of relationships and sizeratios between streets and houses are recorded, all indicative of thehuman scale of the settlement (Fig. 4).

As for the private gardens, they are pleasant spaces whereoutdoor activities take place almost throughout the year. Dwellingsand gardens have developed in harmony and interdependence.

Table 1Climatic data

Season Winter Spring Summer Autumn

Month December January February March April May June July August September October November

Mean temperature (�C) 9.6 8.3 9.2 11.5 15.1 20.3 24.7 27.1 26.9 23 17.9 13.1Max. temperature (�C) 14.8 13.6 14.5 16.9 20.5 25.9 30.4 33.2 33.6 29.8 24.4 18.9Min. temperature (�C) 4.9 3.4 3.9 5.6 8.3 12.3 15.6 17.5 17.7 15 11.5 8Amount of rainfall (mm) 160.3 116.4 109.3 82.8 60.6 42.9 22.1 14.2 15.3 46.8 100.5 160Relative humidity (%) 78.4 75.1 72.8 70 68 63.2 57.5 55.1 55.9 63 69.7 77.6Days of Rainfall 15.8 13.1 12.5 12.4 11.6 8.6 4.4 2.4 3.2 5.3 5.4 12.9Average wind speed 3.3 3.7 4.4 4.6 4.3 3.9 3.8 3.6 3.3 3.2 3.4 3.1Prevailing wind direction NW NW NW NW NE NE NE NE NE NE NW NW

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–1106 1097

Extensive tall adobe/stone walls define the boundaries betweenpublic and private spaces (Fig. 5). Gardens have either flat orstepped terraces depending on the topography and usually containpaved areas, a well, auxiliary buildings, an orchard, flowerbeds andeven an arched trellis usually covered with vines (Fig. 6). Theirshape, size and location vary according to the tall walls of theboundaries of each site by which they are defined. There are twodistinct plan layouts identified: one with entrances on the northside, directly from the street, and one with entrances on the southside, through the garden.

4.3. Construction materials and techniques

The building materials used are: adobe (sun dried mud bricks)and mortar of the same material as the adobe units, stone, andtimber. The most common building method in Sernikaki is a mixedmanner of construction, with stone used for the whole groundfloor, or part of it, and adobe used for the floor above (Fig. 7)

The main building material used for constructing the load-bearing walls of the dwellings was adobe, since earth is the mostplentiful resource in the region. Adobe units were made of earth,usually red earth, or whatever kind could be found on site, mixedwith straw along with water, pressed in wooden moulds and driedin the hot sun for a few days until they were ready to be used forconstruction [7]. The adobe walls have a thickness of 0.60–0.70 cmand an average height of 8.00 m. They were built with horizontallyset timber ties of various dimensions (6 cm� 8 cm or10 cm� 12 cm), spaced at 0.70–0.90 cm. These timber ties goaround the buildings, ensuring that the structures are solid andresistant to earthquakes. The creation of these horizontal ties atregular intervals permitted the continuation of construction athigher levels even though the mortar at the lower levels was not yetdried and solidified. Such constructional methods protected againstsudden subsidence and cracking of the walls. The first set of timberties was usually placed above a stone base in order to be protectedfrom humidity and water. Thus, in most cases stone construction(0.60–0.70 cm) forms a base of approximately 0.90 cm in heightabove the ground level on which the bearing adobe walls rest.

The mezzanine floor of the dwellings consists of the ‘‘patera’’(beams that bear the wooden floor) placed right above the timberties in holes 0.30–0.50 cm apart in the walls. They are usually madeof cypress and are of circular cross-section 0.35 cm in diameter and8.00–10.00 m in length. The boards, planks of hard wood werenailed to the beams [7].

The interior partition walls called ‘‘tsatmas,’’ were built up fromthe wooden floor and were very light in construction. They hada width of around 10 cm and consisted of a wooden frame ofnarrow straight laths placed horizontally every 40 cm. The emptyspaces in between were filled with bits of wood, cane, seaweed orshavings. The walls had a top layer of plaster, which covered all theempty spaces, and made them look like ordinary walls despite theirbeing extremely light [7].

The roofs were most often four pitched: oak, juniper, pine andcypress; common timber types used for the roof structure. Theload-bearing walls support the roof frame placed above the timberties at this position. The final layer of the roof comprises of woodenboards and clay tiles that are placed on the top boards. The rooftiles, usually of the Byzantine type, were placed on top planks. Theempty space under the roof was never used as a loft, and the roofhad a small slope. The ceiling underneath was constructed withboards, 2 or 3 cm thick. The empty space between the ceiling andthe roof, called ‘‘katarraktis,’’ provided natural ventilation [7].

5. Evaluation

5.1. Architectural typology and building physics

Vernacular dwellings of Sernikaki are evaluated in terms ofbuilding physics criteria that pertain to solar geometry, thermalmass, heat transfer, air movement, and solar geometry. Moreover,the evaluation is based on the design variables proposed byMahoney as the ones that promote the creation of buildingsresponsive to the climate. These are: a) the layout of the buildings(orientation in relation to sun and wind, aspect ratio); b) spacing(site planning); c) air movement; d) openings (size–position,protection); and e) building envelope (walls: construction mate-rials-thickness, roof construction detailing) [6].

5.1.1. LayoutOrientation: Dwellings are oriented on a 30� north–east axis.Aspect ratio: The term ‘‘aspect ratio’’ is used to denote the ratio

of the longer dimension of a rectangular plan to the shorter. TheN/W and S/E walls are longer than the N/E and S/W and the ‘‘aspectratio’’ varies from 1.0 to 2.0.

5.1.2. SpacingSite planning: Detached dwellings of compact geometry and

extensive courtyards are designed considering climate conditions(Fig. 8). Gardens provide shady and cool places that become themain living units of the summer months (Fig. 9). The use of gardensalong with their associated landscape features (trees, flowerbeds,vine trellises, soft ground surfaces) and their appropriate placingserves as an additional climate modifier, ensuring human comfortboth indoors and outdoors [8].

5.1.3. Air movementProvision of fresh air: The rooms of the dwellings are provided

with sufficient natural ventilation through the appropriate place-ment of the openings to take advantage of breezes as well asthrough their sizes in relation to the size of the room. The woodenexternal shutters are often used as controlled natural ventilation. Inaddition they are able to control the sunlight. There is also provi-sion for ventilation in the empty space – ‘‘katarraktis’’ – betweenthe ceiling and the roof that adds to the overall cooling [7].

Table 2Typological analysis

Types ofdwellings

Architectural typology Architectural elements

Plan schemeDescription Types of openings

Ia� One storey� All activities take place in one room

Ib

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence� All activities take place in one room� An exterior wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIa

� Three-stories unit� The basement and the ground floor are used as working place� The first floor is used as residence� All activities take place in one room� An exterior wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIb

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into two rooms: a ‘‘sala’’ (living room)

and a family room� An exterior wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIc

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into two room: a ‘‘sala’’ (living room) and

a family room� An exterior wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

V.Anna-M

aria/

Buildingand

Environment

44(2009)

1095–11061098

IIIa1

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as a working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into two room: a ‘‘sala’’ and a family room� An exterior wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIIa2

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into four rooms separated by a corridor.

Bedrooms are private spaces� An external wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIIa3

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into four asymmetrical rooms. Bedrooms

are private spaces� An external wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIIa4

� Three-stories unit� The basement and the ground floor are used as working places� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into three rooms separated by a corridor.

Bedrooms are private spaces� An external wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IIIb1

� Two stories unit� The ground floor is used as working place� The first floor is used as residence. It is divided into three rooms separated by a corridor.

Bedrooms are private spaces� An external wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

(continued on next page)

V.Anna-M

aria/

Buildingand

Environment

44(2009)

1095–11061099

Table 2 (continued)

Types ofdwellings

Architectural typology Architectural elements

Plan schemeDescription Types of openings

IIIb2

� Three-stories unit� The basement is used as working place� The ground floor and the first floor are used as residence. An interior wooden staircase

connects the two floors. Bedrooms are on the ground floor, whereas a ‘‘sala’’ is found onthe first floor� An external wooden or stone staircase leads to the first floor

IV

� Two stories unit� The ground floor and the first floor are used as residence. An interior wooden staircase

connects the two floors. Living rooms are on the ground floor whereas bedrooms are onthe first floor.

V.Anna-M

aria/

Buildingand

Environment

44(2009)

1095–1106110

0

Fig. 2. Plan of the settlement.Fig. 4. The human scale of the settlement.

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–1106 1101

5.1.4. OpeningsSize–position of openings: Openings are placed according to

sun orientation, topography, views, and wind patterns. Their types,proportions and sizes are determined by the orientation of theirwall. Thus, optimum views, natural lighting and cooling breezes areachieved with suitable orientation, design and geometry of theopenings as well as their juxtaposition. There are several S/Eopenings of relatively big size whereas those facing N/W are fewerand of small size. There are a very small number of windows ofsmall size facing south–west and several openings in the north-eastern façades. In addition, their placement on a 30� north–eastaxis, facing the direction of the wind, provides natural ventilationfrom prevailing breezes in summer. The sizes of the openings arerelatively small in relation to room area, and the ratio between theirwidth and length is about 1:2 (Table 2).

Protection of the openings: Protection of the openings fromsolar radiation during summer is also achieved with the use ofmovable shading devices such as wooden external shutters thatpermit the dwelling to be fully shaded during the summer but fullyexposed to solar radiation in winter. Such devices are: blinds andlattices, curtains, vertical shafts, external horizontal shades, andshutters. Since openings are directly related to thermal comfort indwellings that have walls of high thermal inertia, the way they arehandled is of vital importance. Windows are supposed to have their

Fig. 3. Dwellings detached with extensive courtyards and sinuous streets (VaryingShape, Width and Position).

shutters totally closed during the warmest hours of the day, notletting in either the light or the heat from the outside (Fig. 10).Other protecting shading devices used along with the external onesare: blinds, lattices, and curtains found in the interior of thedwellings. It is also interesting to note that the amount of sunlightentering the interior of the house is further reduced by placing thewindow frame inside the window recess (Table 2).

Open spaces, such as balconies (Fig. 11) or ‘‘hagiatia’’ (Fig. 12),are architectural components of bulky volumes under various

Fig. 5. Extensive tall walls defining the boundary between public and private spaces.

Fig. 6. Various gardens.

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–11061102

forms creating pronounced shade on the sun-warmed facades,changing the current of air, and protecting from rain exposure. Theyare usually south and east oriented, providing a thermal refuge anda place of transition from inwards to outwards. The principledifference between balcony and ‘‘hagiati’’ is their respective size,the latter being larger than the former (2.00–3.00 m wide toprovide for outdoor functions). Moreover, the ‘‘hagiati’’ is covered

Fig. 7. Sernikaki’s mixed manner of construction-stone ground floor and adobe forfloors above.

Fig. 8. Detached dwelling of compact geometry and extensive courtyard.

Fig. 9. Vine trellis close to the dwelling providing shade during the summer.

Fig. 10. Openings having their shutters closed during the warmest hours of the day.

Fig. 11. Various balconies.

Fig. 12. Various ‘‘Hagiatia’’.

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–1106 1103

by a roof that is angled away from the main roof to best reduce solaradmittance.

5.1.5. Building envelopeWalls: Thick walls made of adobe form the most common

external walls. The wall section has a thickness of 0.60–0.70 cm anda low U-value (U¼ 1.02); hence it serves as a good insulator [9]. Thetime lag of these walls is high; they store heat during the daytimeand radiate it into the room at night when the outside temperatureis below the comfort range [10,11]. The light colored surfaces of thefaçades are used as a mechanism for the protection of the highthermal mass walls against solar radiation as they absorb less heatin summer, thus preventing the rise of internal temperatures.

Roofs: Consistent with the use of high thermal capacity verticalenvelopes, dwellings use roof construction materials and detailingthat possess medium thermal capacities (K¼ 1.5) [12].

Table 3 evaluates all types of dwellings by their layout, spacing,air movement, openings, and building envelope (Table 3). Dwell-ings are oriented on a 30� north–east axis; and, in most cases, theirN/W & S/E walls are slightly longer than the N/E & S/W. It can beassumed that such an orientation is preferred to the east–west axissuggested by the Mahoney Tables as the most suitable to providemaximum environmental comfort that work with the elements ofsunshine, light, air, and indoor temperatures. All types of dwellingsuse compact geometry as much as possible, which providesmaximum volume with minimum area exposed to the sun. Thepreference for compact built forms, along with the use of envelopematerials with high thermal capacities, aligns with the recom-mendations in the Mahoney Tables to maximize heat storage.Moreover, they are organized so that they are detached withextensive courtyards rather than attached as suggested in the

Mahoney Tables. The extensive tall garden walls that define theboundaries between public and private spaces seem to function ascontinuous windbreaks, especially during winter. The MahoneyTables suggest rooms double-banked with temporary means forwind passage. Contrary to this suggestion, the floor plan ofthe dwellings representative of the older vernacular types is

Table 3Evaluation of the architectural typology and building physics

Types of residence Layout Spacing Air movement Openings Building envelope

Orientation

Aspect ratio Site planning Plan layout Size–Position Protection Walls Roofs

Ia 1.00DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 12.5%, NW: –, SW: 10.5%,NE: 9.5%

External woodenshutters

Adobe–stonewalls of high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

Ib 1.00DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 13.0%, NW: –, SW: –,NE: 11%

External wooden shuttersHagiati at the E. side

Adobe–stonewalls of high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIa 1.40DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 10.5%, NW: 8.0%, SW: –,NE: 7.5%

External woodenshutters

Adobe–stone wallsof high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIb 1.60DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 19.0%, NW: –, SW: –,NE: 11.0%

External wooden shuttersBalcony at the S. side

Adobe–stonewalls of high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIc 1.00DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 15.0%, NW: 6.7%, SW: –,NE: 7.5%

External wooden shuttersHagiati at the S.E. side

Adobe–stone wallsof high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIIa1 1.60DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Single-bankedSE: 11.7%, NW: 1.17%, SW: –,NE: 7.15%

External wooden shuttersBalcony at the E. side

Adobe–stone wallsof high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIIa2 1.30DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Double-bankedAxial corridor

SE: 22%, NW: 9.0%, SW: –,NE: 4.4%

External wooden shuttersBalcony at the N. sideHagiati at the S. side

Adobe–stone wallsof high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

IIIa3 1.30DetachedExtensivecourtyard

Double-bankedAxial corridor

SE: 19.8%, NW: 8.7%, SW: –,NE: 13.9%

Balconies at bothS. & E. sides

Adobe–stone wallsof high thermal mass

Roofs of mediumthermal mass

V.Anna-M

aria/

Buildingand

Environment

44(2009)

1095–11061104

IIIa

41.

30

Det

ach

edEx

ten

sive

cou

rtya

rd

Dou

ble

-ban

ked

Axi

alco

rrid

orSE

:2

3.0

%,

NW

:12

.0%

,SW

:10

.8%

,NE:

6.0

%B

alco

nie

sat

bot

hS.

&N

.sid

esA

dob

e–st

one

wal

lsof

hig

hth

erm

alm

ass

Roo

fsof

med

ium

ther

mal

mas

s

IIIb

11.

80

Det

ach

edEx

ten

sive

cou

rtya

rdSi

ngl

e-b

anke

dSE

:11

.9%

,N

W:

5.3

%,S

W:

–,N

E:10

.68

%

Bal

con

ies

atb

oth

S.&

N.s

ides

Hag

iati

atth

eE.

sid

e

Ad

obe–

ston

ew

alls

ofh

igh

ther

mal

mas

sR

oofs

ofm

ediu

mth

erm

alm

ass

IIIb

22

.00

Det

ach

edEx

ten

sive

cou

rtya

rdSi

ngl

e-b

anke

dSE

:12

.8%

,NW

:3

.56

%,S

W:

2.5

7%

,N

E:7.

7%

Bal

con

yat

the

S.si

de

Hag

iati

atth

eS.

sid

e

Ad

obe–

ston

ew

alls

ofh

igh

ther

mal

mas

sR

oofs

ofm

ediu

mth

erm

alm

ass

IV1.

30

Det

ach

edEx

ten

sive

cou

rtya

rd

Dou

ble

-ban

ked

Axi

alco

rrid

orSE

:2

3.8

%,N

W:

7.4

%,S

W:

8.3

%,

NE:

18.8

%B

alco

nie

sat

the

N.S

.&E.

sid

esA

dob

e–st

one

wal

lsof

hig

hth

erm

alm

ass

Roo

fsof

med

ium

ther

mal

mas

s

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–1106 1105

single-banked (one room wide) whereas the floor plan of thedwellings representative of neoclassical architecture adapted to thevernacular architectural idiom of Sernikaki (types: IIa2, IIa3, IIa4,and IV) is double-banked (two rooms wide) with an axial corridorfor wind passage. The openings in the vertical envelope aremodestly sized, equaling between 10–20% of the vertical surfacearea, a lower percentage than the one suggested in the MahoneyTables. The need for openings in the vertical envelope is based onproviding contact with the outside, admitting light, and permittingventilation of the building interior. Thus, several S/E and N/Eopenings have been chosen to provide the best exploitation ofwinter solar radiation whereas N/W and S/W openings are fewerand of small size. In addition, architectural components such asbalconies, ‘‘hagiatia,’’ and external wooden shutters are employedto reduce solar admittance, a design guideline also suggested in theMahoney Tables.

5.2. Sernikaki: a sustainable Greek vernacular settlement

The fact that Sernikaki has maintained its qualities for morethan a hundred years suggests that the techniques of itsconstruction and the building materials employed were wellthought professional choices aiming at sustainability. Moreover,traditional builders did not only aim at achieving comfort withoutthe need of any mechanical systems, but were also concerned aboutenergy, material costs, as well as the impact of the buildings on theenvironment. This becomes obvious by their use of recyclablematerials.

Therefore, the vernacular architecture of Sernikaki can bedefined as sustainable. The criteria that lead to the creation of sucha sustainable vernacular settlement are: 1) holistic consideration ofnegative environmental impacts that arise in the construction ofbuildings and their infrastructures; 2) design recommendations,which minimize the adverse environmental effects in building; 3)use of materials with low maintenance and energy efficiency; 4)selection of building materials that provide thermal comfort; 5) useof renewable and natural resources; 6) reduction of energyconsumption by maximizing passive thermal comfort; 7) concernfor integral quality: economic, social and environmental perfor-mance; 8) improvement of environmental quality; and 9) provisionfor comfortable living spaces [13].

6. Present-day condition of Sernikaki

Today, Sernikaki is relatively untouched. However, additions tothe traditional dwellings or new constructions added to thevernacular core are being built with little consideration of theclimate since they depend heavily on mechanical systems to providethermal comfort. Specific guidelines, codes, regulations and legis-lations for restoring and preserving such an important vernacularsettlement have not been precisely set. Government regulations aremainly concerned with the preservation of the outer shell of build-ings, and therefore direct the owners to preserve only architecturalfacades at the expense of many other important qualities of thebuildings such as the ones discussed in this paper. Additions andrestorations are made with no concrete guidelines and usually occurwhen the dwellings fall into disuse and decay. This tendencythreatens to change the entire character of the settlement unlesscurrent architectural practices incorporate the above exploredguidelines that provide recommendations on the orientation andlayout of buildings, the size and position of the openings, and thecharacteristics of walls and roofs. Such an embedded understandingof vernacular architecture may serve as a model for sustainabledesign in response to climate, energy use and notions of environ-mental quality [14].

V. Anna-Maria / Building and Environment 44 (2009) 1095–11061106

7. Conclusions

Sernikaki is a vernacular Greek settlement that takes advantageof its climate through the appropriate application of designelements and building technology for energy preservation as wellfor ensuring comfortable dwelling conditions. This paper wasconcerned with the layout of the buildings (orientation in relationto sun and wind, aspect ratio), the spacing (site planning), the airmovement, the openings (size–position, protection), and thebuilding envelope (walls: construction materials-thickness, roofconstruction detailing). It evaluated specific vernacular dwellingtypes and their response to climate, based on design principles thatcould be adapted to current architectural practice in the area, inorder to optimize, the relationship between site, building andclimate.

This paper attempts to reveal the secrets applied in suchdurable, compatible, elegant, reliable and eco-efficient buildings inSernikaki. It can be presumed that these vernacular characteristicsgenerate climatic benefits since people who had lived in them buthave recently moved into new buildings complain that the newbuildings are not as comfortable as the traditional ones. Therefore,they can form design recommendations that could be incorporatedinto current architectural practices in the area.

The dwellings of Sernikaki demonstrate an economical use oflocal building resources, and respond to climatic conditions usinglow-energy design principles that provide human comfort. Thesedesign principles are consistent with the form, orientation andmateriality of the buildings. Their combination of engineering andarchitecture reveals an aesthetic quality which, instead of imposingon the environment it emanates from it. The study of thesedwellings, on the one hand helps to better understand theirdevelopment, and on the other, provides examples of a sustainablebuilding tradition, from which many lessons can be learned.

Associating bioclimatic design with vernacular typology mayindicate design recommendations, which can be replicated not onlyas a gesture of respect towards tradition but also for its essentialvalue of providing the region with buildings which by beingclimatically responsive are also energy efficient.

References

[1] Coch H. Bioclimatism in vernacular architecture. Renewable and SustainableEnergy Reviews 1996;2(1–2):67–87.

[2] Balaras C, Gaglia A, Georgopoulou E, Mirasgedis S, Sarafidis Y, Lalas D. Euro-pean residential building and empirical assessment of the Hellenic buildingstock, energy consumption, emissions and potential energy savings. Buildingand Environment 2007;42:1298–314.

[3] Kolokotroni M, Young AN. Guidelines for bioclimatic housing design in Greece.Building and Environment 1990;25(4):297–307.

[4] Szokolay S. Introduction to architectural science: the basis of sustainabledesign. London: Elsevier Ltd.; 2004.

[5] EMY. Climatic records of Greece: Department of Meteorology.[6] Heerwagen D. Passive and active environmental controls: informing the

schematic designing of buildings. McGraw-Hill; 2004.[7] Kouremenos K. In: Philippides D, editor. Phokida, in Greek traditional archi-

tecture. Greece: Melissa Publishing House; 1989.[8] Brown RGillespie T. Microclimatic landscape design: creating thermal comfort

and energy efficiency. Canada: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 1995.[9] Oikonomou A. Summer thermal comfort in traditional buildings of the 19th

century in Florina, north-western Greece. In: International conference‘‘Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the Built Environment’’; 2005. p. 239–44.

[10] Parra-Saldivar ML, Batty W. Thermal behavior of adobe constructions. Buildingand Environment 2006;41:1892–904.

[11] Eben Saleh MA. Adobe as a thermal regulating material. Solar &Wind Tech-nology 1990;7(4):407–16.

[12] Evangelinos E, Zacharopoulos E. Thermal value of the building shell in tradi-tional buildings. Design and Art in Greece 1989;20:52–3.

[13] Godfaurd J, Clements-Croome D, Jeronimidis G. Sustainable building solutions:a review of lessons from the natural world. Building and Environment2005;40(3):319–28.

[14] Asquith l, Vellinga M. Vernacular architecture in the twenty-first century:theory, education and practice. London & New York: Taylor & Francis; 2006.