Conservation-Compatible Energy Retrofit of Mediterranean Vernacular Stone Houses Through Seasonal Microclimatic Analysis

Mediterranean vernacular masonry houses embody centuries of accumulated environmental knowledge, yet many are currently threatened by abandonment, together with functional obsolescence. This study proposes a framework for the conservation-oriented upgrading of 19th-century Mediterranean stone houses that reconciles heritage preservation with contemporary environmental requirements. Using the vernacular settlement of Korogonianika, Peloponnese, Southern Greece, as a case study, the research combines documentation and analysis of the existing heritage regulatory framework, construction material discussions, building condition assessments, and outdoor microclimate evaluations through ENVI-met simulations. The study concludes with the development of conservation-compatible energy retrofit strategies. The microclimatic analysis examines representative winter and summer conditions to identify the influence of settlement morphology, orientation, building density, and traditional stone construction on thermal comfort. Results demonstrate that the fabric of the village plays an important role in thermal comfort. In particular, high thermal mass and passive bioclimatic characteristics of the settlement moderate seasonal thermal stress. These findings inform restoration interventions that preserve the environmental intelligence embedded in the vernacular architecture while improving building resilience. The proposed framework underscores that effective upgrading should be guided by both heritage values and local microclimatic conditions, offering a transferable methodology for the conservation and sustainable rehabilitation of Mediterranean vernacular masonry houses.