Energy sufficiency in buildings, a synonym for passive and low energy architecture (PLEA)

Energy sufficiency in buildings means making the most of the environmental energy that can be exploited directly by the building's physics. To happen this requires a full dialogue with place and proper design and materials to respond, as much as possible, to the energy needs within the building, typically related to the provision of comfort and the overall wellbeing of its occupants. It can be said that the Passive and Low Energy Architecture movement, PLEA, has promoted, for over thirty-five years, all avenues for energy sufficiency in buildings through the exploitation of sound architectural' design potentials. Between the approach of vernacular architecture, particularly relevant in the Mediterranean basin, and the concept of energy sufficiency, there is an opportunity to facilitate, enrichen and clarify the dialogue with energy service stakeholders and related policy makers to result in better architectural design, contributing towards the advancement of PLEA's perspective, strategy, wisdom and practice.