
Among one the Middle East’s most ancient technologies is the windcatcher, or bâdgir in Persian. These remarkable structures are a common sight soaring above the rooftops of Persia. They are often rectangular towers, but they also appear in circular, square, octagonal and other ornate shapes.
How a windcatcher works
There are two main forces that come into play with the structures: the incoming wind and the change in buoyancy of air depending on temperature – with warmer air tending to rise above cooler, denser air. First, as air is caught by the opening of a windcatcher, it is funneled down to the dwelling below. This air flows throughout the interior of the building, sometimes over pools of water for further cooling. Eventually, warmed air will rise and leave the building through another tower or opening, aided by the pressure within the building that is elevated by the incoming airflow.
The shape of the tower, the direction the tower is facing, how many openings it has, its configuration of fixed internal blades, and height are all finely tuned to improve the tower’s ability to draw wind down into the dwellings below.
Some of the earliest wind-catching technology comes from Egypt 3,300 years ago
Using the wind to cool buildings has a history stretching back almost as long as people have lived in hot desert environments. Some of the earliest wind-catching technology comes from Egypt 3,300 years ago, according to researchers Chris Soelberg and Julie Rich of Weber State University in Utah. In Egypt, buildings had thick walls, few windows facing the Sun, openings to take in air on the side of prevailing winds, and an exit vent on the other side of the structure.
Constructing a windcatcher
The first consideration is placement of the windcatcher structure. It should face the prevailing winds. If wind directions vary, the wind tower may have radial internal walls which divide the vertical structure into sections (like multiple chimneys inside a single box). Windcatchers can be built taller to harness higher winds.
Windcatcher designs
Uni-directional
If wind tends to blow from one side only, then it will be built with one downwind opening. This is the simplest design.
Bi-directional
These windcatchers tend to be more efficient for airflow circulation and have better performance. They serve two functions – to blow and suck air into a building.
Multi-directional
These tend to be either four, six or eight-sided windcatchers, and are bigger and taller than the other types. The exact height and structure of each opening depends upon the specific region’s climate.
Cylindrical
This is the most technical form of windcatcher and achieves better performance than the other types.
Windcatcher components
The following components comprise a typical windcatcher:
Head
Includes a moving column opened and closed either manually or electronically. This helps prevent rainwater ingress.
Column
Fixed in place and can be installed on a rooftop (flat or inclined) using bolts.
Windows
Installed at the lower end of the column to control airflow.
Wind vane
Can be installed to detect the wind direction.
Using upward airflow
In environments that experience minimal wind, or where a qanat is impractical, a windcatcher can be used to function as a solar chimney which allows hot air to travel upwards and escape from the top of the building. In this way, large buildings – especially those constructed with thick adobe to provide good heat transmission resistance – can be kept at chilled temperatures during hot periods.
Other considerations
Mesh can be used to filter the air. However, it is common for dirt and dust to be deposited at the bottom of the windcatcher.
Windcatchers can be designed to draw air over a basin of water, making the structure a sort of evaporative cooler.
Windcatcher picture gallery




Image Credits
In-Article Image Credits
A windcatcher on a building in Yazd, Iran via Wikimedia Commons by Diego Delso with usage type - Creative Commons License. September 21, 2016via Wikimedia Commons by Strassberger, B. with usage type - Public Domain. 1878
Featured Image Credit
A windcatcher on a building in Yazd, Iran via Wikimedia Commons by Diego Delso with usage type - Creative Commons License. September 21, 2016