wind catcher

BĀDGĪR (wind-tower), literally “wind catcher,” a traditional structure used for passive air-conditioning of buildings. Wind catchers are found throughout the Middle East, from Pakistan to North Africa. Wind catchers here are brick towers which generally rise from between 30 cm to 5 m above the roof. ind catchers have vents at the top in one, two, or up to 8 sides and these vents were decorated in brick, mud plaster or ornately carved lime plaster. The most common use of wind catchers is to cool and ventilate summer living rooms on the ground and basement floors of houses; air trapped in the vents of the tower is cooled as it descends and in turn cools the occupants of the rooms below by convection and evaporation. When there is little or no wind, air rises up the tower, the walls of which are heated by the sun, so drawing cool humid air from the courtyard and basement through the summer rooms. Reference: _ http://www.ullesthorpewindmill.org.uk/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=7 _ http://www.iranica.com/articles/badgir-traditional-structure-for-passive-air-conditioning