REsilient HouSIng for the Alpine region

The project REsilient HouSIng for the Alpine region (REHSIA) aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, mitigate the effects of climate change, and support the adaptation of buildings to rising temperatures. This goal will be achieved by combining general knowledge of building practices with recent ethnographic data from households in the Italian Alpine region.
REHSIA will review the literature on adaptive comfort, update existing empirical evidence, and integrate these findings with ethnographic insights. It will also analyse local energy regulations and engaging with the Klimahaus Institute (owner of the Italian Klimahaus building certification system). Building simulations will be used to predict thermal performance under various climate scenarios.
In terms of impact, REHSIA addresses the issue of overheating in low-energy buildings, improving both energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Aligned with regional strategies, the project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. Its recommendations will empower local designers and residents, while also providing valuable case studies for other regions in Italy and similar climatic zones (Cfb).

This fellowship is financed by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen through the Initiatives to Promote the International Mobility of Researchers LG 14/2006 (Decree 14978/2024).