A Form for the Future of a Historic City

Designing within a historic city is never a neutral act. In Yazd—one of Iran’s oldest continuously inhabited cities—the architectural response must negotiate between a deeply rooted vernacular language and the pressing environmental realities of an arid desert climate. A Form for the Future of a Historic City proposes a contemporary daycare complex that draws directly from Yazd’s traditional architectural intelligence while reconfiguring it through climate-responsive architecture.

The project, designed by Fatemeh Aghasi, received the Institutional Excellence Award in the Form Follows Climate 2020 competition. It stands as a thoughtful exploration of how educational architecture can become a testing ground for sustainable urban futures in historic contexts.

Designing for Yazd’s Arid Climate

Yazd is located in the central deserts of Iran, characterized by extreme summer heat, low humidity, and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. These climatic conditions have historically shaped a unique architectural vocabulary—windcatchers, central courtyards, thick walls, and subterranean spaces—that allows buildings to function passively with minimal energy consumption.

Rather than replicating these elements as stylistic references, the project reinterprets them as performance-driven systems. The daycare is conceived as an urban complex where form, orientation, and spatial sequencing are all derived from climatic logic. The goal is not to contrast old and new, but to synthesize them into a coherent architectural language suited for the future of Yazd.

Climate-Responsive Architecture as Design Driver

At the core of the project is the integration of climate-responsive architecture into every scale of design—from site planning to section detailing. The building is oriented along a north–south axis, informed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, ensuring optimal control of solar exposure and prevailing wind patterns. Educational spaces are primarily located on the southern side, where environmental conditions can be better moderated through passive strategies.

Double-shell walls act as thermal buffers, significantly reducing heat transfer during peak summer months while maintaining warmth in winter. These layered envelopes echo traditional construction methods, yet are calibrated using contemporary environmental analysis tools.

Windcatchers and Passive Cooling Systems

One of the defining features of Yazd’s vernacular architecture—the windcatcher (badgir)—is reimagined here as an active component of the building’s environmental system. The project employs both four-sided and two-sided windcatchers, adapting their function seasonally.

During summer, wind is captured from both the north and south sides of the site and directed into underground geothermal channels located approximately six meters below ground level. At this depth, the earth’s temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year. As hot air passes through these channels, it is cooled naturally before being distributed into the interior spaces.

In winter, the system shifts operation. Valves above the educational spaces are closed to prevent cold air infiltration, and airflow is reduced to a single windcatcher. The earth-warmed air is then circulated through controlled mechanical assistance, ensuring thermal comfort without relying on conventional heating systems.

Central Courtyard as Environmental Regulator

The central yard functions as both a social and climatic heart of the project. Inspired by traditional Yazd courtyards, it provides shaded outdoor space while actively participating in air regulation. Vegetation is strategically placed along airflow routes to humidify the dry desert air, improving indoor comfort levels naturally.

The courtyard can be partially opened or enclosed depending on seasonal needs. In summer, plants help cool and moisturize incoming air, while in winter, reduced openings limit heat loss. This adaptive spatial strategy allows the building to respond dynamically to environmental conditions.

Educational Spaces Designed for Children

Beyond environmental performance, the project prioritizes the emotional and psychological well-being of children. Spatial proportions, furniture design, and interior colors are all carefully calibrated to create a playful yet calming learning environment. Pop-up elements, varied wall textures, and child-scaled furniture foster exploration and engagement.

The daycare includes multiple play areas, including both open and enclosed playgrounds. One is designed for use during extreme summer heat, while another supports outdoor activity during cooler periods. This spatial diversity ensures year-round usability without compromising comfort or safety.

Energy Performance and Sustainability

Extensive climate simulation and energy modeling informed the final form of the project. Psychrometric analysis, wind charts, and earth temperature studies demonstrate that the passive systems significantly reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling. As a result, the building operates with low energy consumption while maintaining thermal comfort throughout the year.

Active systems are minimized and used only as supplements. Fan coil units are recommended to support air circulation when necessary, but the primary environmental control remains passive—rooted in the logic of vernacular desert architecture.

A Contemporary Vision Rooted in Tradition

A Form for the Future of a Historic City demonstrates how climate-responsive architecture can bridge the gap between heritage and innovation. By adapting traditional architectural elements through modern analysis and technology, the project offers a viable model for sustainable development in historic desert cities.

Rather than imposing a foreign architectural language onto Yazd’s urban fabric, the daycare evolves naturally from it—proposing a future where architecture remains deeply connected to climate, culture, and community.