SUstainability and PERformances for HEROTILE-based energy efficient roofs (SUPERHERO)

The LIFE SUPERHERO project (SUstainability and PERformances for HEROTILE-based energy efficient roofs) directly supports climate change adaptation in urban areas by promoting innovative, climate-resilient roofing solutions.

The project focuses on Ventilated and Permeable Roofs (VPRs) and HEROTILE-based roofs (HBRs), which enhance the adaptive capacity of buildings and cities by mitigating overheating, reducing rainwater runoff, and improving passive ventilation.

By tackling the impacts of more frequent and intense heatwaves, the project helps increase the resilience of buildings—especially in densely built environments—by integrating passive cooling strategies that require no additional energy inputs. This approach reduces vulnerability to climate risks while maintaining indoor comfort levels and decreasing the need for air conditioning during extreme temperature events.

LIFE SUPERHERO is coordinated by Centro Ceramico and involves 10 partners from Italy, France, and Spain, spanning research, industry, and public housing. From July 2020 to June 2025, it aims to:

• Demonstrate the effectiveness of VPRs and HBRs as nature-based solutions for urban heat adaptation.

• Renovate demonstration buildings to show tangible benefits in thermal regulation and water management.

• Support regulatory change by developing technical standards and promoting the integration of these solutions into green building guidelines and urban planning policies.

• Equip planners, architects, and local authorities with the SUPERHERO software tool to evaluate the adaptation potential of different roofing options under future climate scenarios.