A Study on How to Adjust Modern Wind Catchers with

Contemporary Architecture
Shideh Hakimi, Elahe Sadat Hashemizadeh, Niousha Toroghi

Abstract
The industrial revolution from two hundred and fifty years ago, led mankind to extract
exhaustible resources hastily. This invited mankind to use renewable energies; the
dependence on these renewable energies in order to create the right environment has
gradually improved.Despite the vast role of these exhaustible energies on human
development, their destructive effect on living environment is an issue of reconsideration
and a cause to return to traditional approaches in environmental control. Therefore
traditional approaches have to adjust themselves to these changes, as nowadays
traditional wind catchers are replaced by modern wind catchers with solar system.
This literature tries to study one of the effective factors on ventilation and cooling, namely
traditional wind catchers and investigates how to adjust them in modern buildings.
(Khamooshian, 1390. P. 113)
Key words: wind, modern wind catchers, ventilation, cooling
2015 BBT Pub. All rights reserved.

Introduction
In the past, people with experience, knew the wind and were familiar with its features.
They used the wind in two different ways:
1-The use of wind energy to help mills and wind turbine to perform various tasks
2- Using the cooling effect of the wind by using components such as wind, Chahar Soffeh and Kolah Farangi to
provide thermal comfort in the environment. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 3). The first collected solar to produce cold, in the
name of Wind catcher, the natural temperature control system built by Iranian architects. This natural solar
system has multiple prominences other than cooling systems and displays its outstanding technique. With
advances in technology we can now significantly reduce the required energy for heating and cooling consumption.
Today, most programs focus on providing technology and necessary solutions to create spontaneous heating and
cooling, Instead of using expensive industrial methods. (Vosughifar, Adlparvar, 1389.P.2) Nowadays we can
predict, the wind currents and their effects on construction with the help of architectural aerodynamics.With this
knowledge, you can examine the wind flow on the architecture by use of the wind tunnel or the use of theoretical
methods and calculations and if necessary, before the implementation apply necessary reforms on it . (Rahshahr,
1390.P.3)

Research theories
1-Utilizing innovative ideas that were created hundreds of years ago by our ancestors, not inflict any damage to
the environment and comparing them with modern buildings saves non-renewable resources, and makes life
easier and protect life on Earth.
2-Use building strategies that are rooted in the culture of our ancestors, and are also appropriate to the country's
natural environment, could lead to the development of architecture.
3-In designing a modern space based on the cultural identity of a city, we can establish more of a sense of
belonging between users and buildings.
4-The use of new technology to preserve specific social and cultural values of the region and the principles of
traditional architectural rules, with new terms and conditions, directly related to the increasing buildings
desirability.

Research Methodology
Obviously, any scientific study requires a methodology that fits its own theme. Choose appropriate research
methods and continuity in the process of the research, are the principles of a strategy for scientific research.
Methods of dealing with the problem are closely related and have a mutual structure. Thus creating the foundation
for integrating the research, and selecting qualitative methods were used during the research process. To get good
results in this paper and provide an appropriate response to the above questions, the research library, including
books, articles and websites have been used. And finally attempts to visit the field's facilities and bring case
studies, analysis and complete the content and Obtains to a final conclusion.

Wind
Features of the wind
To learn characteristics of wind and control methods in climatic architecture, we need to be familiar with the rules
governing it. We can then begin to study its effects on the environment and architecture.
Rules governing the wind
To control the wind in the architectural design and urban planning, it is essential to have sufficient information
regarding its speed and status.
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However, wind speed and direction in the architectural landscape, streets and even inside buildings, depending on
local wind speed and direction, but sometimes heavily affected by natural and architectural environment features
which change the characteristics of the wind.
Changing Direction
Wind in the face of obstacles, changes direction, but after a distance, returns to its original path. It depends on the
shape and dimensions of obstacles. (Rahshahr, 1390, 4)

Image 1: Changing wind direction in conflict with natural barriers. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 4)

Image 2: Changing wind direction in conflict with a tower. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 4)

Change of speed
When wind hits a higher density barrier, the wind speed decreases.
Therefore, the wind increases with speed height and distance from the Earth's surface.
High-pressure and low-pressure zones creation
When the wind collides with an obstacle in front of it, there will be a high-pressure area. And around and behind
the barrier, there is a low pressure area. If the barrier has holes facing the wind, but there is no output, the wind
will not enter. But if it has an output, the wind enters from a high-pressure area and exits from low pressure area.
(Rahshahr, 1390.P. 5)

Image 3: Location, shape and dimensions of the high-pressure and low-pressure areas around the building
(Rahshahr, 1390.P. 5)
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The performance of the wind

Wind can affect buildings and environment in three different forms:
Ventilation
Natural ventilation is the displacement process of indoor air with fresh air outside, without the use of mechanical
devices, which saves fossil fuel consumption. In this process, indoor air expires. In this process, indoor air due to
respiration, breathing skin, the smell of cooking, smoking and similar cases, becomes heavy can be switched with
fresh air outside. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 6)
Cooling
Wind flow can cause accelerated heat exchange between the body and the air by the process of convection and
thus cool the air. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 6)
The use of wind flow in architecture
In climatic architecture wind flow is used for natural ventilation and the renewal of air inside buildings.
Furthermore, in temperate climates, and hot times of the year, advantages of the wind can be used for cooling the
environment and the interior of the building. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that to avoid
unfavorable winds, and controlling them is also an important issue that must be considered.
Ventilation and natural cooling
Establishment of the ambient air flow in interior spaces, is called natural ventilation. This type of Ventilation
increases the oxygen and reduces carbon dioxide and emitted odors inside the buildings.
Ventilation-assisted propulsion movement
Using the wind to ventilate indoor air is possible in two ways. The first method, is using the holes at the same level
(The transverse Ventilation or air circulation) that they placed at the same elevated level. The second method, is
unequal level (wind catcher) ventilation, in which two different height levels are used at the points of entry and
exit of the wind. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 7) If the openings are at the same level, the best Ventilation is available when
the openings on both sides are placed against each other.

Image 4: First method; creating air circulation by two windows. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 7)

Image 5: second method; Air flow using an open window and a vertical channel. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)

Image 6: Complete circulation with windows on two walls facing each other. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)
396 S.Hakimi et.al/ Teknologi Tanaman /Vol (12), Supp (2) 2015

Ventilation quadratic happens when the building has two openings on two adjacent fronts. The lowest ventilation
rate belongs to buildings with two openings at the front. However, on the condition that with the height difference
establishment or vertical blades between two openings, the pressure difference created. (Rahshahr, 1390.P.8)

Image 7: To establish Limited air flow by using two windows on a wall. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)

When the openings are placed at two different levels, wind from the higher aperture, guides into the building. It is
removed through other openings of the building. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)

Image 8: Air entering above the building through a vertical channel and exits from other channel or the window.
(Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)

Ventilation by Thermal propulsion help (convectional flow)

Air-conditioning using convection or air movement, is the concept of establishing the air flow from a high pressure
to a low pressure environment. In this condition, the openings should be in two areas with different temperatures
and pressures. However, this flow is not as strong as wind power (it's like a breeze). (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 8)
The temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the building, indoor and outdoor areas and
various parts of a building, causes the air to flow. Existing openings in the upper part of a space, causes venting hot
air accumulated under the roof and replace the lower levels air in this part. A partial vacuum created in the lower
atmosphere, causes sucking of the air out through the lower openings. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 9)

Image 9: The role of the temperature difference between the air near the ceiling and floor space to create a breeze.
(Rahshahr, 1390.P. 9)
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The height difference between the two openings creates a pressure difference between the two levels, which
causes air to flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure areas. This feature, called the Chimney Effect.
Components such as fans and Badkhan are designed to make use of the Chimney Effect, which means indoor air is
discharged and replaced by the outside air instead. (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 9)

Image 10: Different apparatus and Badkhan construction methods (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 9)

In recent years to take advantage of this property, a kind of Badkhan is designed called the Rotary Badkhan, which
without using electricity and only with the help of a fan placed at the Badkhan output end, adds speed and power
to the air flow output. To strengthen the effectiveness of ventilation (Badkhan), we can make use of the heating of
the walls of the Badkhan caused by direct sunlight accumulating on the sidewalls of the Badkhan. The Badkhan
chamber is heated by direct sunlight. Gradually the air inside the Badkhan is warmed and goes up faster.
(Rahshahr, 1390.P.10)

Image 11: Badkhan embedded Rotary, to increase property (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 10)

Image 12: designing solar chimneys to strengthen property chimney (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 10)
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Cooling by Evaporative cool property help

Wind in addition to air conditioning and cooling (by replacing cool air instead of hot air), can be combined with
Evaporative cooling to boost the cooling process. In this process, to evaporate water from a surface that is covered
with water or for wet objects, heat is required. The majority of the heat is inputted from the surrounding air. Thus,
if the wind crosses in the vicinity of these surfaces, the heat causes evaporation and the wind causes cooling. An
air conditioned building, by air flow which is cooled in this way, has more of a cooling effect. (Rahshahr,
1390.P.12)
Wind, buildings and wind catchers
Before the industrial age, people who lived in tropic areas relied only on natural wind for ventilation and cooling
for their homes. Malqaf which means the wind receiver was built about 1,300 years before Christ by the Ancient
Egyptians. The structure operated on the basis of the difference in the pressure around the building and
Convection caused by the stack effect on the air movement.Wind Catchers (A modified form of Malqaf) are
common in Iran and other countries around the Persian Gulf for thousands of years and it was the most effective
architectural element to reduce the temperature. Wind catchers vary in size, outer shape for the openings
direction and combined with water and water storage for different regions. But in general, the wind is a constant
collection that both interacting wind flow and also acted as an output. Its Vertical ducts are four open sides on top
and a pair of wall isolators as diagonal and intersecting placed till the end of the wind catcher. The wind catcher
has the potential to take the wind from different directions and directing the flow of cool air into the room, can
also act as a chimney. In this case, hot air, due to the pressure difference between lower and upper areas in the
chimney pulls from the wind catcher's rear. In the case of low wind, building ventilation is possible only through
the chimney effect. (Khamooshian, 1390.P.113)
Wind catcher
Wind Catcher, is an Iranian innovative method to create a cool indoor space in a hot desert climate. This air
conditioning unit, has made the Iranian people's living space tolerable for years from ancient times. Wind catchers
are usually small rectangular towers or regular polygons. They are not seen as triangle structures.Wind catchers
have been established as a small tower almost always higher than anywhere else on the roof of the house.
Normally wind catchers had been built on the part of the house called the Hoz Khaneh. Hoz Khaneh was the small
balcony located at the end of the summer room of a mansion. Summer rooms are made from rooms with many
large and numerous doors. Hoz Khaneh is the interface area between the yard and the Summer Room. Within this
space is the small pool (Hoz), and is named as such because of the small pool in the middle of the room. Wind
catchers are at the top of the Hoz (small pool), but through the pores they have, guide the air flow to the Hozs
water. Wind Catchers generally are made of brick and clay. To secure them against wind, wooden beams were
used in construction. For decorative purposes, Wind Catcher have been designed with texture bricks.Wind
Catchers has input openings as beautiful arcs. Wind Catchers work like water coolers today. The wind enters from
the wind catchers pores, and is led to the pool (Hoz) and after interaction on the Hozs water, evaporative action
takes place. Evaporation is an endothermic action, which causes cooling of the wind that has entered from the jet
flow of the Wind Catcher. The cold wind enters the summer rooms and cools the air inside the room. In some old
mansions that belonged to the wealthy, Hoz Khaneh was a closed space and summer rooms had the pores and
corridors which act in the same manner as a cooler's channels. Cool wind from the corridors flowed into the
rooms of the house. Other use of Wind Towers is to cool the cellar space used for storage of food and water.
(Vousoghi Far, Adlparvar, 1389.P. 3)
Wind catchers components
1- Shelves: The top of the tower, which includes ducts passing air.
2- Stem: That part of the wind catcher's body between the Shelves and the roof.
3- Blade: Blades are elements made of clay and brick that divide wind catcher channels into several smaller
channels.
A) The main blade: Walls that extend to the center of the tower and divide the Wind Catcher channels into several
smaller channels.
B) Secondary blade: Walls that do not extend to the center of tower and only extend to the external Width walls.
Secondary blades are visible on the facade of wind towers like the vanes of cooler channels.
4- Open and closed pores: On the wind catchers' facade the space between the two blades is called pores. And if it
is open and air can pass through, it is an open pore and otherwise called a closed pore. (Mahmudi and Mofidi,
1387.P.27)
The highest number of wind catchers can be seen in dry lands and desert regions like Kashan, Yazd, Jahrom, Tabas,
Arvand and the areas surrounding the Persian Gulf. In the construction of wind catchers, Iranian architecture
capabilities have been well utilized. Wind catchers reach environmental goals and also an impressive and pleasure
feature of buildings (Vousoghi Far, Adl parvar, 1389.P. 4)
Problems using wind catchers
Nowadays, because of more attention to sustainable architecture and green building design, feasibility studies and
optimal and diverse use of wind towers in modern buildings has emerged.
Since the original pattern to design these wind catchers is traditional architecture and the rules governing the
architecture of the past, their implementation in modern buildings creates problems. (Khamooshian, 1390.P.113)
One of the biggest problems is to control intake air in different seasons, especially during peak periods of the
seasons. In the past, it forced Residents to build separate spaces for living in the winter and summer. Input dirt,
dust and other environmental contaminants, through wind catcher openings is also a problem. Additionally noise
pollution caused by the flow of air is an important factor for areas such as schools, lecture halls and libraries. Voice
input and output is also problematic.
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Wind Towers should be designed in a way that in the case of fire, sends the smoke out of the building or at least
does not delivery air to the fire, causing further expansion of the fire. And finally, numerous and wide apertures in
the ceiling can be a security concern. We must not forget that use of wind catchers creates dramatic changes in the
architecture, form and buildings structure. Compliance with the modern architectural style is debatable. To solve
these kinds of problem, several research studies have been done. And in many cases application solutions have
been obtained. Modern wind towers are an example of these solutions. (Khamooshian, 1390.P.114)
Modern wind catchers
In recent years, many elements inspired by Persian Wind Towers for the operation of the wind, are designed.

Image 13: All kinds of modern wind towers (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 12)

In some types of wind catchers, channels are also used for lighting or to accelerate air conditioning (by using solar
energy). A fan also assists the channels function for ventilation. (Rahshahr, 1390.P.12)

Image 14: Combining cutting performance lighting systems and modern wind catcher (Khatami, 2009)
Combination of wind-catcher, sun-pipe and fan in a component

In the world of Industrialization, some products called Wind Catchers are used as a reliable tool in buildings. Much
work has been done to enhance the design. In addition to exploiting the experience and structure of the traditional
wind towers and Badkhan, the disadvantages of using its traditional form are being addressed and adapted for use
in modern day architecture. (Khamooshian, 1390.P. 114)
How it works
Modern wind towers do not use any moving parts and make use of vertical openings, based on the natural effects
of wind and cold and warm air movement, channel fresh air into the room and vent out the old air. The
performance of this system is based on traditional wind catchers' simple rules by moving warm and light air up,
which causes a drop in pressure and suction in the room.Safety: In commercial buildings and offices Safety risk is
an important consideration due to the openings providing an entry point. The problem is solved with the insertion
of stainless steel valves within the wind catcher.Sound transmission: Noise pollution is a problem that in buildings
with air conditioning can be minimized by close the doors and windows. Modern wind towers systems are sent to
an acoustic systems testing facility in the United States for testing In January 2002 and December 2005. In
comparison with international standards, a modern wind catcher transmission systems sound was less than 26
units from the open window. By adding 15 mm acoustic cover to internal system body, this average was reduced
by about 10 units and got closer to the desired number. (Khamooshian, 1390.P. 114)
400 S.Hakimi et.al/ Teknologi Tanaman /Vol (12), Supp (2) 2015

Image 15: Modern Wind catcher System performance and related equipment. (Khatami, 2009)
Acoustic matters inside wind-catchers structure

Use in different seasons and fire: For possible Planning use in different seasons, the system is equipped with
special dampers that with very low energy consumption, control the intake air amount. There are four conditions
on wind catchers control panel spring, Summer, autumn and winter. The selection of each of these modes, and
Thermometer's help and devices control of the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, the air incoming and output
and pollutants amounts are easy to control and also can make changes in it as part of an intelligent system. This
amount by intelligent system is 100 percent in the summer and in winter, only 3 to 5 percent for air conditioning
is variable. Air flow rate control dampers, at the time of the fire, act as well, and through intelligent
communication with the building fire alarm system, at the time of the fire is blocked and also prevents air delivery
to fire, and also prevent Wind Catchers from acting like a fire tunnel and spread to other floors. (Khamooshian,
1390.P. 115)
Case study
Design: Queen building, Location: University of British Winchester, Designer: Ford and colleagues company. In this
plan to get the wind, the multiple openings are used on several fronts and ventilation in the roof. (Rahshahr,
1390.P. 20)

Image 16: Multiple openings for air to enter the building and
and fans for leaving (Rahshahr, 1390.P. 20)

Conclusion
Nowadays, due to environmental problems and the indiscriminate use of fossil fuels and the increasing destructive
nature of non-renewable energy sources, according to the issues raised in the discussion of sustainable
development, we have been forced to create ways to saving energy and increase our use of renewable energy.
Using solar, wind, wave and water flow energy can achieve the desired results. By knowing the rules of the wind
and the effects of it in architecture, it's possible to use the flow of the wind in three fields; natural ventilation,
building cooling and environment, and also controlling unfavorable winds. To achieve this goal, we should first
identify the performance of the wind interfering with obstacles and flowing across them. Studies have shown it is
possible to collect information and provide appropriate solutions, from climatic features, which sometimes show
themselves as some problems, but can be converted into advantages.Contained in this article are some of the
hundreds of innovative ideas that have been modified from designs created hundreds of years ago by our
ancestors, without causing any damage to the environment and have been made more desirable. Solutions that use
fewer non-renewable resources make life easier and furthers the life of the Earth.Using traditional air
conditioning systems, and integrating them with new systems, causes about 50 to 60 percent savings in the
consumption of fossil fuels. It also adds value and contributes to a clean environment. It is hoped that in Iran, one
of the largest consumer countries in the World, the use of such solutions in architecture, which has roots in the
culture of our ancestors, and is in keeping with the countrys natural environment, could lead to the development
of this type of architecture.
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Resources
1. Khamooshian, Narges. Modern wind catchers. Architect .No 86.p 113.1390
2. Rahshahr International group, the role of design in reducing energy consumption in buildings: wind energy in architecture. No
129.Summer1390
3. Vosughifar, Hamidreza. Adlparvar, Reza. Reducing energy consumption in air conditioning conditions by building new vents.
Conferences Civil, Architectural. Kerman.1389
4. Khatami Narguess. The wind catcher: A traditional solution for a modern problem. The University of Glam organ. August 2009
5. Phuoc Huynh. A report on the wind catcher. University of Technology, Sydney. VIM Sustainability Pty Ltd, Newtown, NSW
2042. Jun 2010

Shideh, Hakimi, Department of Architecture, Science and Research branch Ayatollah Amoli, Islamic Azad
University, Amol, Iran
(Shideh.Hakimi@yahoo.com)
Elahe Sadat, Hashemizadeh, Department of Architecture, Chalus Islamic Azad University, Chalus, Iran
(Elahe.Hashemizadeh@gmail.com)
Niousha, Toroghi, Department of Architecture, Nour Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran
(Newsha_t_1986@yahoo.com)