An overhang (or eave) describes the lower edge of a roof, which extends beyond the intersecting wall to form a shady space that can acquire different dimensions and appearances. In hot climates, it can be designed to stop the intense heat of the hottest months, limiting the entry of sunlight. In rainy places, it can be an intermediate space of shelter, protecting the building frame and external façade from the weather. However, eaves are not an indispensable component of a building. Many architects have designed buildings with sloping roofs without eaves, in which the archetype of the house with a gable roof takes on a simple, almost stripped, minimalist shape. It is not up to us to judge whether this design choice is functional or simply a fad. But whenever we remove this protrusion from a roof, we are faced with the challenge of avoiding problems of water infiltration and rainwater drainage.
