Trombe Wall Systems (TWS) for tertiary buildings' envelope in Mediterranean climates: Assessing standardization process and energy efficiency

The present research investigates the potential of Trombe Wall Systems (TWSs) for tertiary buildings located in Mediterranean climates, with the objective of quantifying their energy performance, optimizing their technological configuration, and defining conditions for their standardized and replicable implementation. Within the broader framework of European decarbonization policies and the need to reduce energy demand in the non-residential sector, the study reinterprets TWS as a contemporary passive envelope strategy rather than a purely historical device. The research develops through a structured multi-phase methodology. First, the theoretical and regulatory context is defined, including an analysis of energy consumption in non-residential buildings, relevant European and Italian policies, and the climatic characteristics of the Mediterranean region, with specific reference to Rome. A systematic literature review and a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis reconstruct the evolution, typologies, operational principles, and research gaps of TWS. Second, a comparative investigation of twenty international case studies identifies recurring configurative patterns, climatic adaptations, and performance trends. This analytical phase is complemented by a market analysis of commercially available components, leading to the development of structured product data sheets and multi-criteria evaluation procedures. The core of the research consists of a simulation-based optimization process. A parametric model developed in Grasshopper–Ladybug Tools integrates dynamic energy simulations to evaluate the influence of key geometric and thermophysical variables on the system performance. A baseline configuration is compared with TWS-integrated models to quantify heating and cooling demand reductions. The optimized system is then tested within an urban morphological scenario under critical summer conditions, and PCM integration is assessed to enhance seasonal thermal stability. The outcome is a performance-based parametric workflow and a structured methodological framework that link energy optimization, market rationalization, and decision-support tools. Rather than proposing a single product, the thesis defines the technical and methodological conditions necessary for scalable, performance-driven, and standardized TWS integration in Mediterranean tertiary buildings.