Yazd, Iran, boasts over 700 windcatchers (badgirs), ancient
structures that have effectively cooled indoor spaces by 15°C for 2,500 years
without electricity. Located in a desert where temperatures soar to 45°C, these
brick towers, ranging from 5 to 33 meters high, function as natural air
conditioning systems. They capture winds from all directions, directing them
through internal channels that cool the air via water pools or thick brick
walls. The two-way ventilation system exhausts warm air while drawing in cooler
air, and when there’s no wind, they operate on the chimney effect.
The city's mud brick houses, with their thick walls, courtyards, and
strategically placed windows, are designed to minimize heat. The tallest wind
catcher, at Dolat Abad Garden, measures 33 meters. These systems can circulate
air equivalent to industrial air conditioning, maintaining indoor temperatures
of 25-30°C even in extreme heat.
Yazd's windcatchers demonstrate sustainable architecture practices, earning the
city a UNESCO World Heritage designation. They serve as valuable models for
modern architects tackling energy efficiency in an era of climate challenges.
No comments:
Post a Comment