Windcatchers of Yazd – Natural Air Conditioning

Shariq Ali
Valueversity

When the desert heat outside rises to 45°C, how would it feel to enjoy a comfortable 25–30°C indoors? And that too without fans or air conditioners!

This miracle is performed by the windcatchers of Yazd, Iran’s historic city.

Windcatchers are tall towers made of brick and clay that capture air from every direction and channel it into the houses. Before entering inside, the air sometimes passes over a pool of water, sometimes cools down as it strikes thick brick walls, or even absorbs coolness from underground qanat water channels. The hot air rises and escapes, while the cooler air settles into the living spaces below. This way, a continuous flow of fresh air circulates through the houses.

Most buildings in Yazd are constructed with mud bricks, whose thick walls hold back heat for long periods. Courtyards, fountains, and small windows inside the homes create an even more refreshing environment. The tallest windcatcher is in the Dowlatabad Garden, rising about 33 meters high, and it still functions today.

UNESCO has declared Yazd a World Cultural Heritage site. Architects are once again studying these ancient windcatchers to design future buildings that are environmentally friendly and sustainable, using minimal electricity. It proves that sometimes, ancient solutions illuminate the path to the future.