The present paper focuses attention on the motivations and first steps of the CHIARA project, which proposes the identification of advanced procedures, complemented by the use of digital technologies, for the preservation and enhancement of the nationwide built heritage, positioned in isolated and/or peripheral locations. Through a broadening of the disciplinary horizons involving the design dimension for the built heritage protection, the project is connoted by a transversal character, encompassing innovative instrumentation for microclimate monitoring, the principles of technical physics, the risks assessment and the consolidated acquisitions of cultural heritage conservation, starting from an accurate process of knowledge of the building and its transformations, and analysis of the degradation phenomena. It is a complex field of investigation that aims to bring these aspects together, and which has the purpose to lead to the development of easy-to-manage protocols for a better conservation of cultural heritage assets. This paper presents the approach of this research project and focuses attention, in particular, on the case studies on which the University of Bologna is carrying out the microclimatic monitoring and subsequent analyses, through direct experimentations on nationwide ancient and modern built heritage assets.