30 July 2026

The Layman’s Report of LIFE SUPERHERO has been published. The document presents the objectives, activities carried out, and key results of the project co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme.

The report provides an overview of the project pathway developed to promote the use of Ventilated and Permeable Roofs and, in particular, HEROTILE-Based Roofs as a passive cooling solution for adapting buildings and cities to climate change. The aim is to reduce summer overheating and lower energy consumption for cooling.

The Layman’s Report reviews the project’s main activities, including the development of a method for measuring the air permeability of clay tile roofs, support for standardization activities, the implementation of a demonstration intervention on two social housing buildings in Reggio Emilia, and the monitoring of the performance of the installed roofing systems. The document also presents the tools developed to support the design and market uptake of the solution, the outcomes of the environmental and socio-economic assessments, and the activities undertaken to foster the transferability and replicability of the project results.

Among the key results highlighted in the Layman’s Report are a reduction in the external roof surface temperature of 18-23% (around 20% on average), a decrease in cooling demand related to heat gains through the roof ranging from 44% to 91% (67% on average), improved thermal comfort perceived by occupants, and reduced reliance on air conditioning following the installation of HEROTILE-Based Roofs.

In addition to the benefits in terms of energy performance and summer comfort, the report explores the contribution of HEROTILE-Based Roofs to mitigating the urban heat island effect, the results of the environmental analyses carried out over the roof system’s entire life cycle, and the potential application of the solution in the renovation of existing building stock. The document also describes the activities implemented to promote the transferability and replicability of the results, with the goal of encouraging a wider adoption of ventilated and permeable roofing systems.

With the publication of the Layman’s Report, LIFE SUPERHERO makes available a comprehensive document that brings together the project’s development process, achievements, and tools created throughout its implementation, providing a valuable reference for all stakeholders interested in promoting passive cooling solutions as part of climate change adaptation strategies.