*1.1. Research Site*

The case study of this investigation is a vernacular house located in the Historic Center of the city of Azogues (Figure 1), in the southern inter-Andean region of Ecuador (−2.73969, −78.8486), with an altitude of 2518 masl (meters above sea level). Azogues has been recognized as a cultural and urban heritage site in Ecuador since 31 October 2000. The city is bounded to the north by the provinces of Chimborazo and Morona Santiago, to the east and south by the province of Azuay, and to the west by the cantons of Déleg and Biblián. The area of study was selected due the historical and cultural importance of the city, as well as the potential for this vernacular architecture to guide sustainable design strategies for new buildings.

The central subject of this research is a vernacular house with a central courtyard typology. The courtyard is used as a central axis upon which other spaces of the building are distributed. The adjacent orchard provides a space for outdoor activities throughout the different seasons of the year. Factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed significantly impact the comfort and well-being of its residents; therefore, this research examines the correlation between the passive design strategies utilized during the building's construction and its response to weather conditions. This house, along with others, has played a significant role in the declaration of the area as a cultural heritage site. Consequently, it is crucial to examine this traditional model from the perspective of passive design strategies. Previous research has shown that incorporating vernacular architecture

is vital in achieving sustainability in contemporary architectural practices. Furthermore, studying and analyzing such architectural styles can provide a viable approach for the upcoming generation of architects to promote sustainable design [15].

**Figure 1.** Azogues city location.
