Question-Answer on Badgirs
What are the regions in Iran where Badgirs are primarily found?
Badgirs are mainly found in regions such as Yazd and Kashan, characterized by hot and dry climatic conditions, as well as on the northern shore of the Persian Gulf, where the climate is hot and highly humid.
Are Badgirs still used today?
Although the use of traditional Badgirs has declined in many urban areas of Iran with the rise of modern air conditioning systems, they remain present and can be integrated into contemporary architectural designs.
What are the environmental and economic benefits of Badgirs compared to traditional air conditioning systems?
Badgirs operate without electricity, thus reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Moreover, they are economically advantageous in the long term, as they do not require high operating and maintenance costs, unlike traditional air conditioning systems.
What are the traditional materials used to build Badgirs?
Badgirs are typically built from traditional materials such as brick, clay, and plaster.
Can Badgirs be built in France?
It is indeed possible to draw inspiration from its concepts and adapt them to other regions, including France. However, it's important to note that climatic conditions and ventilation needs may vary from one region to another, necessitating adjustments and adaptations for effective use of Badgirs in France.
In which regions, for example?
In France, regions that might be conducive to constructing devices inspired by Badgirs could be those where summers are relatively hot and where effective natural ventilation would be beneficial. Mediterranean regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Occitanie, Corsica, the Rhône Valley, and the Southwest, experiencing relatively hot summers, could be suitable for using natural ventilation techniques inspired by Badgirs.
Can Badgirs be built smaller, less robust?
The size and robustness of Badgirs can be adjusted based on several factors, such as the size of the building, ventilation and cooling objectives, and local climatic conditions.
Can they be built in a city like Paris?
The construction of traditional Badgirs as found in Iran is generally not suited for a dense city like Paris:
Climate: Badgirs are designed to operate in arid and hot climates where they can capture refreshing breezes. Paris's climate, being more temperate and humid, would not be conducive to their optimal functioning.
Urban architecture: Badgirs require space around them to operate effectively, and they must be constructed in a way to capture the prevailing winds. In a densely populated city like Paris, with its narrow streets and adjacent buildings, this could be challenging to achieve.
Aesthetics and visual consistency: Integrating Badgirs into Paris's architectural landscape, which is dominated by classic and Haussmannian styles, might be considered incongruent with the local aesthetics.