Communities in the high-altitude region of the Peruvian Southern Andean Mountains are located over 4200 meters above sea level. Communities organize in isolated cabins dispersed in an extensive area surrounding the community center. The harsh natural environment and poor living conditions affect people’s health and increase child mortality, especially in winter. Daytime solar radiation is of high intensity. At night exterior temperatures are -10°C, while indoor temperatures of cabins barely reach 0°C. This research sought to improve the thermal performance of these cabins with passive design strategies and local resources. The methodology included: a) collection of weather data versus indoor thermal performance, availability of local resources and understanding domestic organization patterns; b) definition of comfort temperature range and analysis of local materials; c) technology tr...