Hoda Afshari - Instructor, Department of Architecture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran,

In traditional architecture of Iran, using renewable energies such as wind and sun and as a result low consuming fossil fuels was one of the most noticeable issues for architects (especially in hot and dry deserts of Iran) which included the concepts of green architecture and responded to environmental problems. The ever shining sun of the desert cities of Iran such as Yazd has rendered life very difficult for its inhabitants and compelled them to resort facilities that could moderate the unbearable heat based on climatic factors. In general, considering the experience in traditional architecture of hot and arid regions of Iran, it is possible to create an environmental and green architecture by demonstrating traditional architectural elements. As one of the most important elements of cooling system in this area, wind catchers used to provide acceptable ventilation by means of renewable energy of wind.This paper concentrates on analyzing different types of randomly selected wind catchers in Yazd by means of field surveys. The results obtained from these analyses show the formal specifications of wind catchers with optimum operation in Yazd and conserving them for achieving the concepts of green architecture in new buildings.

wind-catcher, green architecture, ventilation, Yazd