Abstract
The bioclimatic potential of ancient Persian windcatchers (badgirs) is systematically evaluated to inform contemporary low-energy building design in hot, arid climates. Drawing on a review of existing literature and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, this study quantifies the thermal and ventilation performance of three traditional badgir typologies—single-sided, two-sided, and four-sided designs—under standardized summer conditions. Key metrics including indoor air temperature reduction, air change rate per hour (ACH), and pressure coefficients at inlet and outlet openings are analyzed. Results show that four-sided windcatchers achieve an average indoor temperature reduction of 4.6°C relative to outdoor ambient, with ACH values exceeding 30 under moderate wind speeds of 3–5 m/s, outperforming single-sided and two-sided variants by 38% and 17%, respectively. Regression modeling reveals that windcatcher height and opening aspect ratio are the strongest predictors of ventilation efficiency (R² = 0.79). When integrated into a prototypical residential building model, the bioclimatic strategy reduces simulated cooling energy demand by up to 55% compared to a mechanically ventilated baseline. These findings demonstrate that the adaptive design principles embodied in badgirs can be effectively translated into low-energy building strategies, providing a validated reference for architects and engineers seeking passive ventilation solutions. The study concludes by outlining guidelines for the incorporation of windcatcher-inspired features in contemporary architecture, emphasizing the importance of orientation, opening geometry, and night-flushing potential.
Keywords
Bioclimatic design, passive ventilation, windcatcher, badgir, low-energy building, CFD simulation, hot arid climate, vernacular architecture