Assessing the Indoor Conditions of a 3rd Century AD Roman Domus by Dynamic Energy Simulation and Comparison with Vitruvian Hypothesis: Preliminary Findings

Roman best practices concerning construction technology were well consolidated and implemented in ancient times. These are traditionally belonging to Vitruvius, who coded the classic rules on architecture. Amongst these, the destination of use of the different rooms is paramount, especially in respect to the orientation of the building. Dynamic energy simulation software is a tool of proven effectiveness and of widespread diffusion in the field of building engineering. It is primarily used to evaluate and foreseen the effects that building stratigraphy, thermal loads and HVAC systems have on the indoor thermo-hygrometric conditions. In this study, such tool has been used to investigate ancient buildings, basing the analysis on reliable hypothesis about the original construction, partially assumed if the upper structures were missing, on the actual stratigraphy obtained from archaeological remains, and on the supposed ancient climate condition estimated from literature on ancient climate and archaeological evidences. The analyzed case study is a Roman domus that dates back to 3rd century AD, located in Piazza Nogara (Verona, Italy). The proposed method allows evaluating the indoor comfort conditions that occurred when the building was inhabited. Furthermore, simulating different building orientations, it is possible to verify if the actual destination of use of the rooms is the very best from an indoor microclimate standpoint.