This kind of design takes a few things used in Italian vernacular architecture, but especially it takes the aspect treated in vernacular architecture and match them with the new technologies and techniques; everything is thought to reach the design of a Net Zero Energy Building.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is placed in Nepal at the Himalaya’s feet. Nepal is a very poor State and is in a seismic area. It is very dangerous because the Himalaya Mountains are a tectonic active place, which means, being vulnerable to strong earthquakes. The city is located in a monsoon area, so we can identify a rainy season that creates many problems to the population and to the buildings. On 25th of April 2015 there has been the last devastating earthquake far only 100 km to Kathmandu. For these reasons it is difficult to find investors to design new buildings. Only in the last two years, after the earthquake, Nepal has started to study how a building should be designed in an uncomfortable place like that, paying attention to structures and energy efficiencies.
Regarding the conditions in which Kathmandu is located, there is an important case of study: a residence building two stories high.