From the traditional to the contemporary Cycladic sustainable house

PurposeThe paper aims to compare traditional and contemporary architecture in terms of their environmental performance. It will demonstrate that the traditional constructions create much more stable and comfortable environments than the contemporary ones.Design/methodology/approachThe case study used for the analysis is the medieval settlement of Kastro in the Island of Siphnos in Greece. Five representative houses were examined; three traditional and two contemporary. They were measured and monitored for five days in terms of temperature, air movement, illuminance, and surface temperatures; however, this paper will focus on the temperature results.FindingsThe research showed that traditional houses are primarily environmental shelters, as opposed to the contemporary constructions, which failed to provide such an optimum microclimate. The contemporary need for more spacious residences with wider openings, large facades and views to the outside cannot co‐exist with the microclimate created by the heavy mass, compact, with small openings traditional dwellings.Practical implicationsThe paper does not suggest that architects should recreate former techniques and morphology, but argues that in the quest for the sustainable building, traditional architecture can offer valuable information.Originality/valueTraditional climate responsive constructions are proving to be sustainable throughout the centuries, since even today with the new technology and knowledge they perform better than the contemporary constructions.