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Innovative Approaches to Windcatcher Design: A Review on Balancing Tradition Sustainability and Modern Technologies for Enhanced Performance

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  • Hala Sirror

    (Architecture Department, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This review investigates the role of windcatchers in modern architecture, exploring their optimization through the integration of traditional designs with contemporary technologies. Historically utilized in hot and arid climates for passive cooling, windcatchers offer energy-efficient solutions for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). This study examines the sustainability of traditional windcatcher designs and their relevance in preserving heritage structures. Using advanced tools like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, modern adaptations of windcatchers can be optimized for urban environments. This review also explores hybrid systems, combining windcatchers with solar chimneys, evaporative cooling, or heat pumps, to enhance performance in low-wind conditions by balancing natural and mechanical ventilation. Additionally, it addresses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in heritage planning, facilitating the design and integration of windcatchers into contemporary architecture. The findings suggest that windcatchers, combined with modern design strategies and hybrid systems, continue to be viable and sustainable solutions for passive cooling, contributing to energy-efficient and climate-resilient buildings across different environmental and urban contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Hala Sirror, 2024. "Innovative Approaches to Windcatcher Design: A Review on Balancing Tradition Sustainability and Modern Technologies for Enhanced Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:22:p:5770-:d:1523877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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