A very traditional and interesting technology is making a comeback, in Iran and in the UK.

Architects fascinated by Yazd’s wind towers

An architect couple is working on a project on the use of wind towers in contemporary architecture in Iran. Paris-based architects Herve Richard from France and his Iranian wife Shiva Tolouie went to Yazd, central Iran, to study wind towers for five years.

“We were very fascinated by the city and the wind towers. We think it is possible nowadays to use wind towers in contemporary architecture,” Richard told IRNA Saturday in an interview in Brussels where they are displaying their model in an exhibition.

Yazd has the biggest wind towers all over the world, Richard noted.

The young architect couple are now looking for financial assistance to realize their project in Iran.

Wind towers and wind scoops have been in use since the 14th century. They utilize the power of the wind to provide ventilation in the hot and arid climate of the desert. The system has been widely used throughout the Middle East.

Currently facing competition from commercial air conditioners, these efficient devices deserve to be studied not only as a bio-climatic solution but much more comprehensively in the context of landscape, form, use, construction, maintenance, utility and heritage…[ link ]

More on this

“Wind Catchers”

The Cooling Systems in Traditional Iranian Architecture

The buildings in the Iranian desert regions are constructed according to the specific climatic conditions and differ with those built in other climates. The desert buildings are equipped with air traps, arched roofed, water reservoirs with arched domes and ice stores for the preservation of ice. The operation of modern coolers is similar to the old Iranian air traps which were built at the entrance of the house over underground water reservoirs or ponds built inside the house.

Lofty walls, narrow and dry streets, highly elevated air traps, big water reservoirs and arched roofed chambers, are the outstanding features of desert towns in Iran. The ever shining scorching sun of the desert has rendered life very difficult for its hardy and warm-blooded inhabitants and has compelled them to resort to facilities that can moderate the unbearable heat. In the following article subjects relating to the building materials of desert towns and the method of operation of the traditional cooling systems in the cities with warm and arid climates are described.[… link…]

This technology is being reinterpreted in the UK. An example is here.