A new European Technical Specification for designing ventilative cooling systems
The new European Technical Specification FprCEN/TS 18335:2026 defines a nine-step design process for natural, mechanical and hybrid ventilative cooling, prioritising prevention, modulation and free cooling before considering any form of active cooling.
Cooling for all: why Europe must treat cooling as infrastructure, not a luxury
Europe’s energy transition risks overlooking a critical gap: without treating cooling as infrastructure, buildings may lock in inequality, grid strain, and avoidable long-term costs.
Passive cooling strategies: a key lever for resilient and comfortable homes
Before making air conditioning the norm, Europe has a significant opportunity to reduce overheating through passive measures such as external shading and ventilative cooling.
Cooling-ready residential renovation: aligning climate, building performance and occupant behaviour
Research from Montenegro highlights why today's renovation decisions must anticipate tomorrow's climate to ensure long-term comfort and energy performance.
Efficient cooling with groundwater heat pumps and solar PV: a practical university case study
Discover how a hybrid cooling system combining a groundwater heat pump and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) can cut energy use, boost heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency, and deliver low-carbon, resilient building performance in real-world university applications.
Towards smarter cooling: integrating phase change materials in building elements for energy-efficient thermal comfort
Can buildings cool themselves? Discover how phase change materials (PCM) in building elements can cut energy use while improving indoor comfort in a warming climate.
Cooling in stages: a smarter order for a warming Europe
Cooling has moved beyond comfort. It's a matter of survival - and the heat it rejects should not be wasted but used to heat our buildings.
Vienna’s mandatory electronic Bauwerksbuch: lessons for Europe’s Digital Building Logbooks
Vienna’s mandatory electronic Bauwerksbuch shows how phased obligations, professional verification and lifecycle responsibility can improve building data. The article compares this safety and maintenance record with the EPBD Digital Building Logbook and identifies six lessons for Europe.
Passive cooling and thermal comfort in schools: the Poissy case study
How can schools stay cool during heatwaves without mechanical cooling? Discover how dynamic solar shading improves comfort, reduces energy use and supports EPBD objectives.
Designing a cooler future: smart, affordable and climate-resilient cooling solutions across Europe
As Europe heats up and populations age, smarter cooling becomes essential, blending design, technology, and policy to deliver comfort with less energy. From passive strategies to intelligent systems, the future of cooling is efficient, adaptive and human-centric.