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This work enhances the application of a clear and concise methodology to help choosing the most accurate passive solar techniques according to local climate and its influence on construction. To carry out these goals, the analysis of concepts of fictitious temperatures, the psicrometric diagram and its relation to passive solar systems zones previously established and, finally, the constructive changes that each technique requires is needed. This last factor mentioned took into account the technological and scientific knowledge, as well as the current constructive solutions applicable in the building construction sector in Portugal. The article clears these questions from the design point of view, establishing a straight interdependence between theoretic concepts and its practical application, framed by a context of optimisation, adopting the Portuguese traditional construction as the experimental scenario.

The Portuguese architecture is borderless due to the colonialism period. Many African countries can testify this influence and the cities still sprawling around remaining old buildings. These constructions are characterized by using local resources and adapting Portuguese architecture to the climatic characteristics and answering local natural hazards. The work developed presents a systematic approach about the constructive changes, identifying the solutions adopted for answering climatic demands. The passive solar systems used were categorized and some examples were selected according to examples found in African cities with Portuguese influence as Beira (Mozambique), Lubango, Namibe and Luanda (Angola) and Praia (Cape Verde). This analysis encompasses strategies to improve thermal behavior of buildings, as ventilation trough the analysis of ventilated roofs or windows geometry, shadowing devices as large eaves, brises and second facades, among other issues. The local construction was also analyzed in order to find out traditional techniques for cooling buildings in a natural way.