Thesis title: SISTEMI DI RAFFRESCAMENTO PASSIVI BASATI SULLA VENTILAZIONE PER EDIFICI DESTINATI AD USI TERZIARI NEL CLIMA MEDITERRANEO: analisi e applicazione del Thermal Labyrinth Ventilation System (TLVS) per la riduzione del fabbisogno energetico durante la stagione estiva
The growing demand for summer cooling represents one of the main energy challenges in the building sector within the context of the climate crisis, particularly in tertiary buildings located in the Mediterranean basin, where rising temperatures and heat waves intensify electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions. In this scenario, the research explores the potential of ventilation-based passive cooling systems as tools for the preventive reduction of energy demand. The thesis focuses on the Thermal Labyrinth Ventilation System (TLVS), interpreted as a thermo-environmental infrastructure capable of exploiting the thermal inertia of the subsoil and building mass to pre-treat ventilation air. The objective is to assess its effectiveness, feasibility, and replicability in the Mediterranean non-residential sector, contributing to the definition of a performance-based design model oriented toward decarbonization. The methodology integrates four phases: definition of the theoretical, regulatory, and scientific framework; comparative analysis of international case studies; technological systematization and performance-based evaluation of components; and experimental validation through parametric modeling and thermo-fluid dynamic simulations applied to the Rome Technopole pilot project. The results highlight that TLVS performance depends on the interaction between labyrinth geometry, thermal mass, microclimatic conditions, and ventilation strategies. Simulations demonstrate significant attenuation of summer thermal peaks and substantial reductions in cooling loads, confirming the system’s potential as an effective passive strategy in Mediterranean climates. The research contributes to Environmental Technological Design by defining parameters, comparative matrices, and operational guidelines for integrating TLVS into architectural design processes, providing a replicable model to support sustainable urban regeneration and climate neutrality goals.