Ventilative cooling represents one of the heat dissipation techniques in the building design process. In this paper, we identify the driving forces of natural ventilation and their implications within the building. We focus on the various strategies to enhance the air circulation and exhibit the limits of this cooling technique. Design guidelines for architects based on existing knowledge are suggested. Finally, perspectives in terms of future research actions are exposed

To increase of diffusion on the bioclimatic architecture is necessary to make the calculation Method easy to use for designers. In particular the available calculation method for analytical, based on transfer functions or finite elements method or those made for simplified calculations are generally very complex to use. Is necessary to develop methods of analytical type and simplified more "friendly" to use.

Comfort conditions in a warm/hot environment can be achieved by means of several cooling strategies ranging from the obvious sun shading to the less obvious radiant cooling. These strategies are identified and three selected computer models are evaluated in terms of their capability to cope with them. The result is that the most popular or sophisticated computer models available are not able to deal with passive cooling. Also the problem of is the interface between currently available computer models and their final users, the architects, is analyzed.

This paper surveys the state of integration of passive cooling devices in buildings. This survey illustrates the fact that there are no general prescriptions for the integration in the design of passive cooling devices. Further the present paper does not intend to propose general prescriptions for the integration of cooling devices in design but only to illustrate a number of existing problems.

The need for auxiliary heating and cooling systems in European buildings is established on the basis of building physics and climatic conditions, emphasizing that cooling systems may not be needed in most regions if there are no large internal gains and the building envelope is well designed, through the use of bioclimatic design principles. Occupant attitudes and the consequences upon indoor environmental quality are also compared for the cases of actively and naturally controlled buildings.

The paper describes the possible role of monitoring activities in the study of passive cooling concepts. Special attention goes to monitoring activities for post-implementation performance analysis on real buildings. Various aspects of the monitoring method, the set-up of a monitoring campaign, accuracy aspects of monitoring results as well as their extrapolation are discussed.

This paper is not intended as an exhaustive account of all the available natural cooling techniques, including an interminable list of references, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, and their field of application. Rather, it is intended to present the perspectives of future research and the topics that should be covered within the frame of a European concerted action. Thus, it will concentrate on the main obstacles and faults that we feel exist in the current research, and subsequently on the measures that should be taken to correct this.

The work in progress of an Expert system called ISOLDE that is being prepared in a specific Tusk of the International Energy Agency is presented. This program will give intelligent user support on energy use and thermal comfort during the design process of commercial buildings through general advices, simplified methods, detailed simulations. In particular the paper focuses on the passive cooling approach covered by this tool. 

This paper presents the state of the art on the natural cooling techniques. The development on the evaporative, radiative and earth contact cooling techniques and components is discussed. A classification of the existing systems and techniques is attempted and tbe knowledge on the more important of them is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of the classified systems are evaluated and their suitability for European climates is discussed. The luck of information as well as the existing scientific gaps on the subject are identified.