The rural architecture enhancement through the sustainability search in the ecological transition era

The objective of ecological transition makes it possible to look at the recovery of rural architecture from a new perspective that focuses on processes of economic growth to preserve the environment. This allows us to look at this heritage as a resource, in the sense of built economic capital. The paradigm shift seeks sustainability with even stronger tones that emphasize the need for action. The PNR promotes the development and valorization of rural areas by adding new meanings and new opportunities to challenge the depopulation of agricultural territories. As a resource, the rural built heritage favors the preservation of the landscape and cultural and building traditions, but it is also a model for formulating a correct methodological approach to support sustainable recovery policies. In addition, today's living looks to the environmental context to meet an everincreasing need for sustainability. It is true that the bioclimatic character belongs naturally to the rural building tradition, but today the design approach to renovation should be integrated with the possibility of producing energy from renewable sources. Therefore, rural architecture is particularly suitable to be inhabited according to a more than active energy balance ("Plus Zero Energy Building"). The rural house object of the study, situated in a location not too far from the city of Naples, acquires methodological value, pursuing the objective of recovery with a proposal that is not only tangible, but also innovative in its approach.