44 RESUSTAIN
CLIMATE-CONTROL Typologies in
CYPRIOT VERNACULAR
How sustainable are traditional Architecture in Cyprus, in regards to climatic control.
Architecture
By Antonis Peratikos
Ever since the construction of the first habitable spaces, there was a constant strive of improving our comfort levels in such places, and more specifically thermal comfort. This is evident throughout the vernacular architecture of the island, where various techniques can be identified, that were implemented when constructing a building, in order to increase its thermal comfort.
The typical traditional Cypriot Settlement
Cypriot houses would usually consist of one to three main living spaces aligned next to each other, all facing towards the south, to an open courtyard (iliakos) which usually contained small gardens with citrus fruit and palm trees. The orientation of the living spaces provided adequate amounts of sunlight especially during winter’s small day-lengths , to accommodate the daily activities of the users, since all work related actions had to be done before sunset.[1]
Different arrangements of interior spaces around the courtyard in rural vernacular architecture. Source: Philokyprou (2016)
Courtyard acting as a buffer zone. Source: Kontonis (2016)
The courtyard is an important sustainability element, as it acts as a buffer zone. A roof overhang towards the south, to create the roof of the courtyard, in addition with deciduous vegetation planted within the courtyard, provided shading during summer months, but allowed for solar gain during the winter. Moreover, within the courtyards, cooling elements were often found, such as wells or fountains for the storage of water, which in addition with the watering of the plants, provided evaporative cooling to both the interior and exterior spaces of the house, by decreasing the temperature of the air passing through this buffer zone.[2] [3]
