Ancient Techniques for Modern Climate Challenges

As global temperatures rise, the urgency to counteract the adverse effects of climate change is becoming more pronounced. The demand for cooling solutions for our homes, offices, and commercial spaces is set to skyrocket, presenting a new set of challenges for us to overcome. However, relying on traditional air conditioners is not the long-term answer due to their high energy consumption and contribution to outdoor heat.

Instead, the concept of green building, which has seen significant advancements over the past five decades, offers a more sustainable solution. This approach incorporates efficient, eco-friendly thermal insulation systems, some of which draw inspiration from ancient techniques that were highly effective in battling heat and humidity with zero environmental impact.

For instance, in Persia circa 3000 B.C., wind towers, or bagdirs, were constructed above buildings. These architectural marvels effectively drew in cool air at night and expelled hot air during the day. An underlying water tank was used to humidify and cool the incoming air.

Similarly, in Palestinian villages, the intense heat was mitigated using a cooling system devised from jarrah, an earthenware water container installed in each room. The warm air facilitated the evaporation of the water in the jarrah, thereby cooling and humidifying the surrounding environment.

Contemporary solutions are drawing from these ancient techniques. Yael Issacharov's 2022 project, Nave, uses a panel system that mimics the jarrah method. Water poured into the panel travels through porous terracotta walls, evaporating and absorbing heat from the surrounding air, resulting in a cooler environment. This innovative technology, which operates without electricity or emissions, is even being tested for cooling subway stations.

Underground cooling systems, which leverage the earth's natural coolness, were another common approach in ancient times. These methods, seen in the cryptoporticus of ancient Rome and the "prison of the winds" system described by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, may well inspire the next wave of eco-friendly cooling solutions.

In the face of rising global temperatures, it's clear that the past may hold the key to our sustainable future. By embracing these green building principles, we can effectively and sustainably combat the heat while contributing to the fight against climate change.

From the 16th to the 18th centuries, affluent Sicilian households utilized naturally cooled caves beneath their residences as a refuge from the hot southeast wind. These unique structures, known as "sirocco rooms," were square or round, with seats etched into the rock and accessed via an internal staircase leading to a secret passage. These innovative cooling systems, likely an Arabian invention, were also reflected in the design of the 'Zisa' - a lavish Norman palace constructed in 1165 on the outskirts of Palermo.

In the Zisa's design, we see the early examples of bio-architecture, with its strategic cisterns, large apertures to harness sea breezes, and multiple garden exits, all contributing to an efficient ventilation system. Even today, these centuries-old principles hold relevance in the face of the global warming crisis.

Another ancient yet highly effective strategy for heat insulation is the utilization of whitewashed roofs. This technique, dating back to ancient Greece, is still prevalent in Mediterranean island homes today. The white color helps reduce both indoor and outdoor temperatures by reflecting sunlight, thereby minimizing heat absorption and repelling solar rays.

In 2009, Hashem Akbari, a civil engineering professor specializing in environmentally sustainable materials at Concordia University, recommended to the United Nations that major city roofs be painted white to mitigate global warming. Akbari, along with the team from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, estimated that whitewashing a 90 square meter roof could prevent the emission of 10 tons of CO2 into the environment. This simple solution, rooted in ancient practices, could play a pivotal role in our fight against climate change.