The Joinery of Wind

Parametric studies for cross-ventilation in a 240 sqm sanctuary set against the Aravallis.

Drafting the Breeze

To design for the Aravallis is to negotiate with the dry summer wind. Instead of sealing the sanctuary and relying entirely on mechanical refrigeration, we drafted a series of brick screens (jaalis) and wind catchers that orient the pressure zones dynamically.

Computational simulations showed a peak velocity increase of 1.4 m/s through the central atrium, pulling cool ground air upwards while pushing heat out through the high clerestories.