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Environmental Aspects of the Vernacular Architecture of NW Greece. The

settlement of Psarades

Conference Paper · December 2015

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 International Conference on
Sustainability in Architectural Cultural Heritage

Environmental Aspects of the Vernacular Architecture of NW Greece.

The settlement of Psarades

F. Bougiatioti1, M. Papagiannakis2, A. Oikonomou3

1
National Technical University of Athens, School of Architecture
2
Department of Strategic Planning and Informatics, Municipality of Florina
3
School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University

Abstract

The architectural heritage of each country does not only constitute an important part of its history, but it is
also a constant source of knowledge on issues related to sustainable and environmentally friendly
architecture. The aim of this paper is to present the environmental aspects in the design of the traditional
settlement of Psarades, which is situated on the coast of Lake Megali Prespa, at the Prefecture of Florina, in
North-Western Greece. The presentation attempts to cover all the scales of architecture, starting from the
large scale of urban design and concluding with the small scale of building components and materials. First,
the urban form of Psarades is presented. The investigation of its environmental aspect is based on the
analysis of the settlement’s form in relation to the prevailing climatic conditions, the insolation and shading
conditions of the main square, as well as on the orientation of the remaining traditional houses. Then, the
architecture (type, form and construction) of the traditional houses is presented. The investigation of the
environmental aspects is based on the combination of in-situ research and computer analysis using Ecotect.
In-situ research includes measurements of air temperatures for an 8-month period in two houses, while the
computer analysis includes insolation and shading conditions for five houses, as well as simulation of
daylighting levels with the combined use of Ecotect and Radiance for the same houses. Finally, the analysis
of the environmental aspects of building materials and components is based on the thermophysical
properties and the environmental impact of the materials which constitute the various elements of the
building shell.

Keywords: traditional architecture, thermal conditions, daylighting conditions, Psarades, Prespa

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1. Introduction 2.2 Climatic analysis

The prefecture of Florina has a cold continental
The vernacular architecture of every country
climate, with long, cold and humid winters and
does not only constitute an important part of its
short, warm and dry summers. The mesoclimate of
history, but is also a constant source of knowledge
the area is affected by the presence of large
on issues related to sustainable and
mountainous volumes. The climate is characterised
environmentally friendly architecture.
by significant inter-seasonal and diurnal
The aim of this paper is to present the
differences, due to the high latitude and the
environmental aspects in the design of the
morphology of the area (Hellenic Meteorological
traditional settlement of Psarades, which is
Service).
situated on the coast of Lake Megali Prespa, at the
The climate in the Prefecture of Florina is
Prefecture of Florina, in North-Western Greece.
characterised by an elongated winter period, with
The presentation attempts to cover all the scales
frequent snowfall and periods of especially low air
of architecture, starting from the large scale of
temperatures that fall well below 0oC. The climate
urban design and concluding with the small scale
of the settlement under investigation is largely
of building components and materials.
influenced by the presence of the large volume of
2. General data water of the Lake Megali Prespa. As a result, air
temperatures are relatively higher during the
2.1 Topography winter and lower during the summer compared to
The settlement of Psarades is situated on the the wider area of Florina. The mean air
coast of Lake Megali Prespa, which is situated at temperature in January is 1.2oC in Psarades,
North-Western Greece. The latitude of Psarades is compared to 0.4oC in Florina, whereas the
40o49’47’’N, its longitude 21o1’53E, while it is corresponding temperatures in July are 20.8oC and
situated at an altitude of 851 to 870 m above sea 21.3oC, respectively. During the period of the
level. Psarades is situated on the eastern side of a measurements, an absolute minimum air
long and narrow gulf (Fig. 1) which is actually the temperature of -12oC was observed, whereas in
end of a small valley with steep, rocky sides. the city of Florina, the equivalent temperature was
13oC lower (-25.1oC). The relative humidity is
rather high throughout the year due to the
proximity to the Lake.
The prevailing winds are northern because of
the topography of the Lake to north-western due
to the orientation of the valley and the gulf. South
to south-eastern winds are also frequent.
o
Table 1. Monthly mean values for Koula Station ( C).
(Giannakis, et al., 1999, p.B-25)
Months Min Max Mean
JAN -2.5 4.9 1.2
FEB -1.1 5.8 2.3
Figure 1. Topography of the settlement. (Google Earth) MAR 1.4 10.3 5.9
APR 4.8 13.5 9.2
MAY 9.3 19.0 14.1
JUN 13.3 24.4 19.0
JUL 15.3 26.3 20.8
AUG 14.7 25.3 20.0
SEP 11.8 22.2 17.0
OCT 8.3 16.9 12.6
NOV 2.6 10.5 6.5
DEC 0.3 7.7 4.0
Figure 2. View of the gulf from the valley. (M.
Yearly mean 6.5 15.5 11.05
Papagiannakis photo archive)

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3. Environmental Aspects of the Urban Form 3.2 Insolation and Shading Conditions of the Main
Square
3.1 The Urban Form
The main (upper) square is situated at the
The settlement is situated on the coast of the
centre of the settlement, in front of the primary
gulf and on the side of the valley that faces
school. The buildings that surround it have one or
southwest. It has a linear form, with the main
two storeys. It has a rectangular shape and no
streets being parallel to the Lake coast (Fig. 3).
slope thanks to a high step at its lower, western
There are three main streets, which start almost
side. A narrow, steep road leads to the smaller
together at the entrance of the settlement on its
(lower) square, which is situated on the coast and
south-eastern end and develop at different
has a more irregular shape. The paving material of
altitudes, always remaining almost parallel to the
the square is cement blocks, whereas in its initial
Lake coast, while following the slopes of the valley
form it was covered with earth and only the stairs
side. The first street follows the coastline, the
were made of stone (Karadedos & Tsolakis, 1998:
second runs through the core of the settlement,
164).
passing through the main square, whereas the
The insolation and shading conditions of the
third actually runs peripherally to the settlement,
main square of the settlement were analysed with
at times in front and at other times at the back of
the use of the Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software.
the last houses. Between these three axes,
The three-dimensional model was drawn over
perpendicular smaller roads and passages exist,
Karadedos & Tsolakis, (1998: 165) and tested for
dividing the settlement into small building islets.
representative periods of the year: winter solstice
The rather steep valley side provides some
(21st of December) (Fig. 4.a), summer solstice (21st
protection against the cold, northern winds that
of June) (Fig. 4.b) and vernal / autumnal equinox
blow during the winter and intermediate seasons.
(21st of March and September, respectively) at
PSARADES representative hours of the day (09:00, 12:00,
15:00 and 18:00).
N

LAKE
MEGALI
PRESPA
st
a. December 21

1. Central square
2. Primary school
3. “Lower” square
4. Administration –
Community clinic
5. Church
6. Bell-tower
7. Cemeteries
8. Social welfare office
9. Kindergarden

st
b. June 21
Figure 4. Psarades Square, Lake Prespa. Shadow range
Figure 3. Topography of the settlement and main points
at noon (from 12:00 to 15:00). (Autodesk Ecotect
of interest. (Survey documentation by Soulidis Christos)
Analysis software)

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The low sun altitude angles during the winter

result in the overshadowing of significant parts of
the square, whereas during the summer, shading is
minimised.
3.3 Orientation of houses
Due to the placement of the settlement on the
coast of the gulf and on the side of the valley that
faces southwest, the predominant house
orientations are south to south-western.
Furthermore, many houses face towards the west
and the Lake. Nevertheless, there are houses that
are placed perpendicular to the slopes in order to
achieve a favourable, southern orientation (Fig. 5).

Figure 6. Typical houses with hayats. (M. Papagiannakis

photo archive)
Another type (end of 19th c.-beginning of 20th c.)
is the three-space house with a central projection
Figure 5. House with south-facing deep hayat, placed or covered balcony (Karadedos & Tsolakis, 1990:
perpendicular to the slopes. (M. Papagiannakis photo 179) (Fig. 5). The central space on the ground floor
archive) is the circulation space, which has the staircase to
the upper storey, while the other two spaces have
4. Environmental Aspects of the Architecture secondary uses. On the upper storey, there are the
4.1 The Type and Form of the Houses two rooms with a central space which, at times,
Similar to other parts of NW Greece, the has the form of a deep hayat with a small balcony
simplest and most ancient type is that of the and at other times that of a closed sofa with a
single-space rectangular house with or without a projection (sahnisi). In some cases, there is a
hayat. Two-storey single-space houses can also be second balcony without cover on the rear façade.
found, where the ground floor is used for animals Finally, the most recent building type (mid-war
or storage and the upper storey as a house. period) is that of a three-room space with a central
(Karadedos & Tsolakis, 1990:170). balcony, which is either uncovered or covered with
The most common house type of the a small pediment (Karadedos & Tsolakis, 1990:180)
settlement is the two-storey oblong house with (Fig. 7).
two spaces and a hayat (Fig. 6). It can be found in
many variations and dates back to the 19th century
(Karadedos & Tsolakis, 1990:172). The ground floor
spaces have very few windows and secondary
uses. The rooms of the house are situated on the
upper storey. The vertical circulation is achieved
with the staircase, which is situated at the hayat.
Another house type is a variation of the above-
mentioned with a T-shaped hayat. In other cases,
when there is increased need for closed spaces,
the basic types are combined to form complex Figure 7. Example of the mid-war period building type.
types. (M. Papagiannakis photo archive)

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4.2 In-situ Air Temperature Measurements temperatures (by 1 up to 3oC) during the winter
The investigation and assessment of the compared to the upper-storey spaces and the
thermal behaviour of traditional houses in exterior environment. This is due to the high
Psarades was based on a series of in-situ air thermal inertia of the ground floor, as well as to
temperature measurements in two selected the fact that thermal losses are minimised because
houses. The main goal was to document the there is only one opening. On the contrary, the
passive behaviour of the building shell, hence the spaces of the upper storey have significant thermal
main criterion was to select houses that were not losses, because of the large number of windows
inhabited during the winter period and, therefore, and the poorly insulated roof construction (Fig.
not artificially heated. 10).
The measurements were conducted with
25.0
temperature loggers (Gemini data loggers) for
nearly one year (from 25.09.2011 to 08.06.2012) at 20.0

1-hour intervals. 15.0

The first house (G. Ioannopoulos) has northern 10.0

orientation. The exterior walls are made of stone,
5.0
whereas the interior partitions, as well as the wall
separating the interior from the hayat, are timber- 0.0

frame. The second house (A. Ioannopoulos) is a -5.0 25-30/9/2011

1-15/10/2011

1-15/11/2011

1-15/12/2011

16-31/1/2012

16-29/2/2012

16-31/3/2012

16-30/4/2012

16-31/5/2012
1-15/1/2012

1-15/2/2012

1-15/3/2012

1-15/4/2012

1-15/5/2012
16-31/10/2011

16-30/11/2011

16-31/12/2011

1-8/6/2012
sample of single-space, two-storey house with
hayat, which has sustained a number of
interventions (hayat built-up at both storeys, External A.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Ground

addition of exterior staircase, partition of the Figure 9. Variation of mean fortnight temperatures from
upper storey). It has windows towards the south- 25.09.2011 until 08.06.2012.
east and south-west. Similar to the first house, the 15
exterior walls are made of stone and the interior
partitions of timber-frame or lath-and-plaster. 10

In each house, one data logger was placed in 5

the main space of the ground floor and one in the
respective space of the upper storey. 0

Unfortunately, the data from one of the loggers (A.

-5
Ioannopoulos house, ground floor) was not
retrieved due to an error. External temperatures -10
were recorded with an additional logger.
-15
40 Exterior A.Ioannopoulos_Upper
35 G.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Ground
30
25 Figure 10. Temperature variation during the month of
20
15
January.
10 35
5
0
-5 30
-10
-15 25
October

April
September

November

May
January
December

March
February

20

Exterior A.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Ground

15
Figure 8. Hourly temperature measurements from
25.09.2011 until 08.06.2012. 10

The general conclusion is that the interior 5

Exterior A.Ioannopoulos_Upper
temperature variation closely follows the exterior, G.Ioannopoulos_Upper G.Ioannopoulos_Ground

throughout the year. The mean values (Fig. 9), Figure 11. Temperature variation during the month of
show that the ground-floor space has higher May.

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The variation of the air temperatures of all the

spaces closely follows that of the environment, but
with a significantly smaller range. The upper
storeys present a similar thermal behaviour. 21/12, 09:00 21/12, 12:00 21/12, 15:00

Throughout the year, the building shells provide

steady internal thermal conditions compared to
the prevailing external ones. During the winter, 21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00
and despite the lack of conventional heating and
the harsh outside conditions, the interior spaces
remain warmer by 5oC (Fig. 10). Similarly, during
the summer, interior air temperatures remain 21/06, 09:00 21/06, 12:00 21/06, 15:00

lower by even 10oC compared to the environment, c.Z. Nastopoulou house (W-SW orientation).
even without night-ventilation (Fig. 11).
4.3 Insolation and Shading Analysis
The insolation and shading analysis was
performed for a number of typical houses, which 21/12, 09:00 21/12, 12:00 21/12, 15:00

are not presented here due to space limitations. As

to the predominant orientation (S-SW), it is made
evident that the main façades receive little or no 21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00
sunlight. For the summer period, this results in
minimum insolation, but unfortunately, during the
winter period, passive solar heating is minimised.
21/06, 09:00 21/06, 12:00 21/06, 15:00

d. S. Lykopoulos house (S-SW)

Figure 12. Insolation and shading analysis for 21/12,
21/03 and 21/06 and 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00.
21/12, 09:00 21/12, 12:00 21/12, 15:00
The disadvantage of the deviation from the
optimum orientation is partially offset by the
design and the orientation of the openings of the
rooms. A general conclusion is that, even though
21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00
the predominant house orientation is
unfavourable, insolation and consequently thermal
comfort conditions are favourable in the southern
room(s), during the cold (winter) period.
21/06, 09:00 21/06, 12:00 21/06, 15:00
4.4 Daylighting Conditions Analysis
a. S. Dimanopoulos house (S-SW orientation).
The daylighting conditions analysis was
performed with the combined use of the Ecotect
Analysis and the Desktop Radiance software. The
window openings were extruded in order to
21/12, 09:00 21/12, 12:00 21/12, 15:00 account for the shading, which is caused by the
increased depth of the walls.The analyses included
the three typical dates (winter and summer
solstice and vernal equinox) for the hours (local
21/3, 09:00 21/3, 12:00 21/3, 15:00 time) 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00. Based on the
climatic analysis, predominant sky conditions were
set to overcast for the winter period and the
intermediate seasons and clear for spring and
21/6, 09:00 21/6, 12:00 21/6, 15:00
autumn and the summer. The isolux contour
b. Mirtsopoulou-Terpsopoulou house (W orientation).

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ranges between 0 and 1000 Lux, with a step of 100

Lux.
It can be seen that in the ground floor spaces
with few or no openings, daylighting conditions are 21/12, 09:00 (overcast) 21/12, 12:00 (overcast) 21/12, 15:00 (overcast)

very poor throughout the year (Fig. 13.a). On the

contrary, the upper storey spaces, which have, in
most of the houses, numerous windows
demonstrate elevated daylighting levels and 21/03, 09:00 (overcast) 21/03, 12:00 (overcast) 21/03, 15:00 (overcast)

improved daylighting distribution (Fig. 13.b). In the

different rooms, daylighting distribution depends
on the number of openings, as well as on the
number of walls with openings. 21/03, 09:00
(intermediate)
21/03, 12:00
(intermediate)
21/03, 15:00
(intermediate)

21/12, 09:00 (overcast) 21/12, 12:00 (overcast) 21/12, 15:00 (overcast)

21/03, 09:00 (clear) 21/03, 12:00 (clear) 21/03, 15:00 (clear)

21/03, 09:00 (overcast) 21/03, 12:00 (overcast) 21/03, 15:00 (overcast)

21/06, 09:00 (clear) 21/06, 12:00 (clear) 21/06, 15:00 (clear)

21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00 a.Z. Nastopoulou house (W-SW orientation). Upper
(intermediate) (intermediate) (intermediate)
storey

21/03, 09:00 (clear) 21/03, 12:00 (clear) 21/03, 15:00 (clear)

21/12, 09:00 (overcast) 21/12, 12:00 (overcast) 21/12, 15:00 (overcast)

21/06, 09:00 (clear) 21/06, 12:00 (clear) 21/06, 15:00 (clear)

a. Ground floor 21/03, 09:00 (overcast) 21/03, 12:00 (overcast) 21/03, 15:00 (overcast)

21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00

21/12, 09:00 (overcast) 21/12, 12:00 (overcast) 21/12, 15:00 (overcast)
(intermediate) (intermediate) (intermediate)

21/03, 09:00 (overcast) 21/03, 12:00 (overcast) 21/03, 15:00 (overcast)

21/03, 09:00 (clear) 21/03, 12:00 (clear) 21/03, 15:00 (clear)

21/03, 09:00 21/03, 12:00 21/03, 15:00

(intermediate) (intermediate) (intermediate)
21/06, 09:00 (clear) 21/06, 12:00 (clear) 21/06, 15:00 (clear)

b. Mirtsopoulou-Terpsopoulou house (W orientation).

Upper storey
21/03, 09:00 (clear) 21/03, 12:00 (clear) 21/03, 15:00 (clear)
Figure 14. Daylighting analysis for 21/12, 21/03 and
21/06, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 and different sky
conditions
21/06, 09:00 (clear) 21/06, 12:00 (clear) 21/06, 15:00 (clear)

It is interesting to note that the hayats have

b. Upper storey
increased daylighting levels throughout the year
Figure 13. S. Dimanopoulos house (S-SW orientation). regardless of the prevailing sky conditions (Fig. 14).
Daylighting analysis for 21/12, 21/03 and 21/06, 09:00, This is one of the reasons why the hayat was used
12:00 and 15:00 and different sky conditions. as a work space throughout the year.

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5. Environmental Aspects of Materials and (density, thermal conductivity). The overall heat
Components transfer coefficient (U-value) of the different
elements of the building shell (Table 2) was
5.1 The Building Materials and Components
calculated based on the methodology proposed in
The main building materials are local stone
the technical note T.O.TEE. 20701-2. The exterior
(limestone, locally referred to as ironstone), timber
walls (thick stone walls and light-weight timber-
from the nearby woods (mainly cedar, but also
frame walls) are composite elements and, as such,
oak, beech, coniferous trees or poplar), mud
their thermal conductance depends on the
mortar and adobe bricks (Karadedos & Tsolakis,
conductivity of the different materials and the
1990:182, Stoios, 2000:11). Other materials found
extent to which they are found in a given detail.
include reed from the Lake Mikri Prespa, straw and
The stone walls of the traditional houses
wicker (Parthenopoulos, 2009:107). Imported
comprise of two surfaces, the interior and the
materials mainly involve the decorative elements
exterior, which are interconnected at intervals
of the more recent houses, such as the ironwork of
with larger stones. The core of the walls is filled
windows and balcony railing, and glass panes for
with smaller stones and mud. Hence, for the U-
windows.
value calculation, it was assumed that the walls
The foundations are made of stone and are
consist of 65% stone and 35% mud. The timber-
rather shallow, because the ground composition is
frame wall was also calculated as a composite
rocky. For the same reason, there are no
building element, with the assumption that 75% is
basements, but due to the steep slopes at some
made of adobe bricks and 25% of wood. The
parts of the settlement, many houses have their
percentages were calculated from the respective
ground floor partially underground.
material surfaces in a typical construction detail.
The external walls, of both the ground and the
upper floor, are made of local stone connected Table 2. U-value calculation of the different elements of
with earth mortar. The two sides are built with the building shell.
stone work, while the central part is filled with Thickness U-value
2
smaller stones and mud. The exterior side remains (cm) (W/m .K)
visible, with clay mortar. There are horizontal Stone wall 60 1.63
Stone wall (in contact with 60 0.66
wooden ties at the window sills and at the upper
the ground)
end, as well as at floor level, which are visible in Timber-frame wall (Tsatmas) 20 2.09
the older houses and hidden in the more recent Lath and plaster wall 14 2.28
ones. The interior walls are either thick stone (Bagdati)
walls, similar to the exterior, or light-weight made Timber roof 2.38
of timber-frame (tsatma) or lath-and-plaster Upper storey timber floor 3 1.80
(bagdati). Finally, the informal partition of the (over non heated space)
hayat is made of woven branches, externally Upper storey timber floor 8 1.53
rendered with mud. with earth layer (over non
The floors are formed with horizontal hewn heated space)
wooden beams, which are supported by the It can be seen that the thick stone walls have an
external walls. The hayats have predominantly intermediate U-value (1.63 W/m2.K), whereas the
timber construction. The hayat beams are light-weight walls and partitions have elevated U-
supported by the ground floor wall and by a values and thus increased thermal losses.
wooden beam that runs parallel to the façade and The timber roof also has an elevated U-value.
is supported by timber posts. Nevertheless, the frequent snowfall during the
The roofs are hipped and formed by simple winter period significantly lowers conduction
trusses, over which there are wooden boards or a thermal losses from the roof, because the snow
combination of wooden boards and reeds. cover reduces the U-value. Oikonomou (2007: 518)
5.2 Thermal Behaviour calculated a reduction of up to 58% for a 10-cm
The thermal behaviour of the different thick layer of snow in traditional timber roofs in
elements of the building shell can be assessed Florina. At the same time, in the older houses, the
primarily based on their thermophysical properties thermal losses of the upper storey were partially

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offset by the internal heat gains from the stable substances and thus contribute to a healthy indoor
below. environment and, finally, they can, after the
In the cases where the stone walls are in demolition of the building, either be reused in
contact with the ground, namely in houses where other buildings or rejected to follow the natural
the ground floor is partially underground due to cycle of degradation.
the slope, the U-value is particularly low (0.66
W/m2.K) and complies with the standard for walls
in contact with the ground set by the Hellenic
Regulation on Energy Performance in the Building
Sector-KENAKfor the climatic zone (D) to which the
Prefecture of Florina belongs (0.70 W/m2.K).
5.3 Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of building materials
involves both quantitative and qualitative
parameters. (Table 3) The materials which are used
for the different parts of the construction of the
houses in Psarades are found in the immediate Figure 15. The use of local and natural materials. (A.
vicinity of the settlement. As mentioned above Oikonomou photo archive)
(5.1), these are: local stone, timber, mud bricks
and mortar and organic materials (reed, straw, It is acknowledged that the use of local
etc.). materials in traditional architecture is mainly due
to the lack of transportation means and economic
Table 3. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of the resources. (Wines, 2000) People had no other
environmental impact of building materials. (Adapted choice but to use materials which were available
from Berge, 2003 and Woolley et al., 1997)
within close distances from their towns or villages.
Quantitative Parameters
Nevertheless, those materials were used in the
Energy consumption (embodied energy).
Air pollution (CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions). buildings according to their physical properties and
Water consumption. their durability, while they contributed to the
Qualitative Parameters unique character of their architecture and
Ecological degradation (e.g. resource consumption, construction.
landscape and ecosystems destruction, production of
dust, noise and vibrations, and possible cause of 6. Conclusions
environmental disasters).
The analysis presented in this paper, confirms
Toxic substances (affecting the environment, human
health or both). that many aspects of the traditional architecture of
End-of-life-cycle issues (possibility to repair/restore, the settlement of Psarades in Lake Prespa are
reuse or recycle, and waste). consistent with the principles of bioclimatic and
environmentally-friendly architecture. (Table 4) At
The environmental impact of all these materials their time of construction, these houses responded
is considered to be particularly low, because they: in the best possible way to the needs and the way
 were natural materials, that were used as of life of their inhabitants, providing acceptable
they were found in nature or with minimum thermal and visual comfort conditions.
processing (stone, adobe) The general orientation of the settlement and
 were local materials that were found in large of the individual houses is defined by the
quantities near the settlement (stone, topography and the view towards the Lake. As a
timber) result, most of the houses are placed parallel to
 were naturally renewable materials (timber, the slopes, facing towards the Lake and, as a result,
reed, straw) they have south-western to western orientation
and consequently have very low embodied energy and thus deviate from the optimum south.
and minimum emissions of air pollutants, they do The design of the public open spaces is largely
not cause ecological degradation, do not have toxic affected by the vernacular design of the

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settlement, based on which, the private open situated on the ground floor, where the thick stone
spaces (yards) and the houses are prioritised over walls and the fewer openings result in fewer
the public. As a result, unlike traditional thermal losses.
settlements in other parts of Greece (e.g. the Traditional architecture is shaped through time,
traditional settlements of Mount Pelion), the under the constant influence of historical, social,
square was not a space of social gathering carefully economic and environmental developments. For
arranged or vegetated with a large deciduous tree reasons that differ from area to area, most
(e.g. plane tree) in order to provide inter-seasonal traditional houses respond to the prevailing
comfort. climatic conditions and take advantage of the
Table 4. Identification of bioclimatic principles in the
natural resources of the area in which they are
design of traditional houses in Psarades. situated.
Bioclimatic principles Hayat 3-room The best way to assure that this architecture
houses houses survives in the years to come is to carefully
Winter period intervene in order to reinforce and restore the
Passive solar heating + ++ building shells. These interventions should respect
South-facing windows - ++ their typological and morphological characteristics
Thermal insulation - - and, at the same time, improve the indoor comfort
Wind-protection ++ ++ conditions and the overall environmental
Daylighting + -/+ performance.
Summer period
Shading ++ + References
Thermal insulation - -
Natural ventilation + + Berge, B., 2003. The Ecology of Building Materials,
Thermal inertia ++ ++ U.K.: The Architectural Press.
Daylighting + + Giannakis, N. et al., 1999. Special Environmental
Legend (on performance): ++ Very well, + Well, -Bad Study of the Prespes National Park (Ειδική
Περιβαλλοντική Μελέτη Εθνικού Δρυμού
The disadvantage of the unfavourable Πρεσπών), Florina: Prefecture of Florina.
orientation of the buildings, which is due to the Hellenic Meteorological Service,
particular location of the settlement, is partially http://www.emy.gr/hnms/english/climatology/
offset by south-facing openings in many houses. In Karadedos, G. & Tsolakis, P., 1990. Prespes,
most cases, the overshadowing effect of the Hellenic Traditional Architecture (Ελληνική
surrounding urban fabric is minimised, as the Παραδοσιακή Αρχιτεκτονική), vol.8-Macedonia
houses are situated, either at the back of the plot A, Athens: Melissa, pp. 156-198.
with a front yard, or at a higher level due to the Oikonomou, A. 2007. Comparative Investigation of
topography of the settlement. Furthermore, the the Architectural Structure and the
reduced solar gains are compensated by the th
Environmental Performance of 19 century
increased thermal inertia provided by the thick Traditional Buildings in Florina (Συγκριτική
stone walls. Especially in the parts of the Διερεύνηση της Αρχιτεκτονικής Συγκρότησης
settlement where the slopes are steeper, and the και της Περιβαλλοντικής Συμπεριφοράς των
ground floor is underground, thermal losses during Παραδοσιακών Κατοικιών του 19ου αιώνα στην
the cold winter period are minimised. Φλώρινα), Ph.D. Dissertation, Athens: National
The parts of the building shell that exhibit the Technical University of Athens, School of
highest thermal losses during the winter are the Architecture.
timber-frame walls and the roof. Light-weight, Parthenopoulos, et al., 2009. Prespes – Popular
timber-frame walls are mostly found on the upper Culture, Architecture, Tradition and Future
storeys and form the walls of the spaces towards Perspectives (Πρέσπες – Λαϊκός Πολιτισμός,
the hayat. Consequently, the spaces with the Αρχιτεκτονική, Παράδοση και Μελλοντικές
highest thermal losses are those that are situated Προοπτικές), Thessaloniki: Nays.
on the upper storey. This may be the reason why in Stoios, A. 2000. The Old Buildings of Prespa (Τα
the latter examples, the winter living spaces are Παλιά Κτίσματα της Πρέσπας: Πληροφορίες για

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 International Conference on
Sustainability in Architectural Cultural Heritage

τη συντήρηση, την επισκευή και τον

εκσυγχρονισμό τους), Florina: Florina Public
Central Library “Vassiliki Pitoska”.
Y.PE.K.A. &T.E.E., 2010.T.O.T.E.E. 20701-
2,Thermophysical Properties of Building
Materials, [Online] Available,
http://portal.tee.gr/portal/page/portal/tptee/t
otee/TOTEE-20701-2-Final-%D4%C5%C5....pdf
Wines, J., 2000. Green Architecture. Koln: Taschen.
Woolley, T., et al., 1997. Green Building Handbook.
Volume 1, London: E & FN Spon.

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