Monday 18 August 2014

Creative ideas for success, an example - Wind catcher, an amazing traditional indoor temperature maintenance system!

Those who have traveled middle eastern countries might have noticed such tall cylindrical structures on top of buildings especially the old ones. These are actually 'wind catchers', they as the name suggests, literally 'catch' wind to direct the flow of it towards the interior of house creating a uniform airflow throughout, thus maintaining the temperature inside at a very cool level even in the hottest summer times when the temperature in the desert can go well above 50 degree Celsius. A marvelous traditional architectural innovation by the old generation that worked well effectively and is still relevant. Nowadays you will find many firms worldwide providing similar systems based on this unique concept to make our homes 'green'.

This system is very much environment-friendly.

Modern technology modified the traditional concept by adding solar powered fans to direct the flow inwards in a much more efficient manner. There are many technical things involved in the design of such wind-driven air management systems.

Well, I am not going into the technical details of this awesome innovation. Those who would like to know more please check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windcatcher

I googled to collect more info about wind catchers before posting this, wow...there are effective methods to remain 'cool' inside our homes during summer. In Kerala, day by day atmospheric temperature is going up, humidity levels are rising and rains becoming less. It is high time to conduct more research to find out 'greener methods' to make our life better.

We all have to learn a lot from our pasts; we have much more to learn from our ancestors. There is no denying the fact that they had more creative talents than us. Limited resources, the acute necessity to do things for survival, the day-to-day struggles to live life well, all made them work hard combined with the good human values that the society had at those times. Most of the innovations were made not with commercial eyes but with much better intentions for the betterment of human lives in general.

Things are possible, there is nothing like impossible! But the first step is always important. Start... action! We cannot learn to swim in water without getting into the water.

Be cool!
  • Our ancestors, with limited resources, were able to invent many things that made their life simpler. Wonder, how they could come out with such great innovations with very primitive technology at their disposal. Hats off to such creative minds!
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46 comments:

Dawna said...

Very cleaver and innovative!. I think humans possessed great knowledge and skills back then, that we simply cannot continue to ignore in our modern times. Tell you what though. London tends to be very very cool, i'm always trying to find ways to heat up!

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Dawna :)
How we love to have little snow here too !
On one side of the world it is freezing cold and the other side is burning literally. Whatever, we have to find out ways to control indoor environment in a much greener way than we pull on with as of now. As you know, aircons and room heaters are not at all environment friendly.
Thanks again :)

Sherry Ellis said...

I love when art meets practicality. Nice to see technology presented in an artistic form.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Sherry :)
Love this Persian architectural design, it is artistic, of course !

Launna said...

Rajiv... this is a great idea... I wish they could bring this to everyone. :-)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love the idea of this design...creating a natural air conditioning.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Enjoyed reading about your Windcatchers... Bet they are much cheaper than our way to Air Condition things here... AND--as you said, they are environmentallly GOOD to use.

Sometimes, the older methods of doing things are much better and better for us and our environment than some of the new-fangled-equipment these days....

Hugs,
Betsy

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Launna :)
There are firms worldwide providing services based on this technique.
Have a great week ahead :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you, Keith.
This is a great idea, you are absolutely right.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

This design you will see in the middle east almost everywhere. Beautiful Persian architecture !
Thank you, Betsy :)
Old is gold !

lesapeamusings.blogspot said...

I too enjoyed your post.

Lisa

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Lisa :)
Beautiful comment !

Brian Miller said...

how fascinating...i had never seen these before...
i like that it is environmentally friendly as well...
when i first saw the picture the stems off of it
made me think of birdhouses...

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Brian :)
Yes, it is environmentally friendly :)

Truedessa said...

Wow, I've never heard or seen this before a "wind catcher" I even like the sound of the name..and environmentally friendly as we use AC and overload the circuits in hot weather.

Truedessa said...

I agree with Brian, I thought of birdhouses as well and I like birdhouses.

Beate said...

I had no idea! This is awesome! Yes, our ancestors invented a lot of things even though they had much less technology than we do and a lot of times we still learn from them :)
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! :)

DWei said...

I wonder if these would be feasible in Canada, especially considering that in the winter, we don't want that cold air inside.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you :)
Initially during my days of stay over there I was curious when I noticed these structures. I was also fascinated when I was told about these awesome structures.
Have a nice weekend :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you Beate :)
Your lovely comments always uplift my mood ! Glad to hear that you have enjoyed my post :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

There must be some method that is environmentally suitable for cold countries, I am sure. Don't know if wind catcher will work in Canada.
Thanks for the comment and have a nice weekend:)

George said...

We noticed several similar wind catchers on some of the old, historic homes in Charleston, South Carolina. I think they are marvelous innovations.

Linda said...

This is fantastic!!! Greetings from Montreal, Canada.

ruma said...

Great photographing
Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma❃

jonathan said...

The designs of traditional houses in Thailand make it possible for wind to circulate throughout the house effectively. The rise of modernity paved way to ACs and thus, higher electric bills and low tolerance to summer heat. I do agree with your reflections at the end. We can always take from what was old to create new ideas.

Blackswan said...

Totally love the green idea! Never knew about wind catchers........ so glad I'm here; always learning something from you, Rajiv. Happy weekend, dear!

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Really? Great ! Hope you will post something about it asap.
Thanks George for this wonderful comment :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Linda :)
Cool comment !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Ruma :)
Such good comments motivate me to blog better :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Jonathan, thanks a lot for this wonderful comment :)
Hope you will blog about such cool houses asap. Traditional houses in India too were environmental friendly. But this unique design actually trap wind to cool the interior in such harsh environmental conditions in desert and that is really cool !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Shirley :)
It was a beautiful comment :) Such lovely words actually uplift my mood and make me happy.

Dumcho's NOTEBOOK said...

This is a great post!!

Birgitta said...

Great post!

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Dumcho, thanks a lots !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Birgitta :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Susan :)
I am honored by your visit to my blog.

Giga said...

Ingenious and very useful. I greet you.

Irina Kovalenko said...

Dear Rajiv, thanks for sharing. I'm back from holidays and started to write about summer impressions. I'd like to hear yours.
And there's a surprise for you on my blog. ))))

stardust said...

I’ve never known “wind catcher”. It is a simple but great idea. Buildings of each country must have been designed to cope with the climate of that region. The last three lines is so true. Thanks for sharing.

Yoko

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Giga :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Wow, great Irina :)
Will surely visit your blog asap, can't wait !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks a lot :)
Your comments always inspire me :)

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen these before. They are a great idea, both nice to look at and keeping places cool.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Medeia :)
It was interesting so I thought of blogging about it.

Amelia said...

Hi Rajiv great posting. Very interesting wind catcher, learned something new today. Thanks for sharing.

Best regards.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks so much, Amelia :)