The Italian demonstration building is located in Castenaso, near Bologna, in a rural settingcrossed by the river Idice and rich in parks and countryside. The location has a humid temperate climate with very hot and humid summers and rather cold and wet winters. Average rainfall in the town ranges from 600 to 900 mm/y and is usually concentrated in spring and autumn. In winter, snowfalls can occur and are sometimes very abundant with frequent night frosts. The modest windiness contributes to the formation of fogs and mists and to the permanence of high air pollution. Occasionally strong winds.
The demo includes two similar residential buildings with apartments of different sizes owned by Abitcoop (private cooperative). Both buildings are equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof, one external technical room for the heat pump per flat, and a common technical room for vertical distribution of electricity and water per floor.
