Modern architecture often overlooks the resilience of ancient designs, particularly in hot and dry climates. As global temperatures rise and power outages become more common, like the one in Houston during the 2024 heatwave, it’s essential to revisit the techniques used by ancient civilizations to maintain comfort without relying on electricity or air conditioning.
Sumerians: Mastering Heat Management
The Sumerians, who lived in what is now southern Iraq around 6,000 years ago, excelled in building techniques that kept their homes cool. They constructed thick-walled buildings with small windows to minimize heat exposure. By using materials like adobe and mud, which absorb heat during the day and release it at night, they managed indoor temperatures effectively. Their urban design, with buildings closely packed together, reduced the surface area exposed to the sun, while narrow streets provided shade throughout the day.
Ancient Egyptians: Capturing the Wind
In Egypt, buildings were constructed from materials like stone and mud brick that naturally resisted heat. The Egyptians also utilized a unique cooling system called the mulqaf, or wind catcher, which directed the prevailing winds into buildings, creating airflow that cooled the interiors. This technique is still used in the Middle East and Central Asia today, proving its enduring effectiveness.
Ancient Puebloans: Solar Orientation
The Puebloans of the U.S. Southwest used solar orientation to their advantage. By building their homes under south-facing cliffs, they ensured that their structures were shaded during the hot summer months while still receiving sunlight during the winter. This orientation, combined with shared walls and small windows, kept their homes cool without the need for modern air conditioning.
Muslim Caliphates: Rainwater Harvesting
In the arid regions of northern Africa and southern Spain, the Muslim caliphates of the 8th century designed buildings to capture and use rainwater efficiently. By directing runoff from roofs into cisterns, they ensured a reliable water supply for their gardens. This ancient technique is still used today in places like Mendoza, Argentina, to irrigate city streets.
Mayans and Teotihuacans: Storing Water for the Dry Season
In ancient Mexico and Central America, the Mayans and Teotihuacans developed sophisticated systems to capture and store rainwater. They used pyramids, plazas, and aqueducts to channel water into large cisterns, ensuring a steady supply during dry periods. This concept is gaining renewed interest in modern urban planning as a way to enhance resilience to water shortages.
Applying Ancient Wisdom Today
By learning from these ancient civilizations, modern architects and urban planners can design buildings that are better suited to hot and dry climates. Techniques like orienting buildings for optimal solar exposure, using shading devices, and harvesting rainwater can reduce reliance on air conditioning and improve the sustainability of urban environments.
Retrofitting existing cities to incorporate these ancient strategies won’t be easy, but as we face an increasingly hotter future, the lessons from the past offer valuable insights into creating more resilient and livable spaces.
