Qatar University

At the University of Doha, each chimney works independently as a thermal regulator of the interior space. Referencing the architecture of the windcatcher, a traditional element of Arab architecture that passively creates cross ventilation and cooling, the chimneys renovate the interior air constantly and take advantage of air currents. As we can see in the cover image, the vents are oriented toward predominant cool air and staggered to avoid blocking these currents. The interior of each chimney is divided into two parts to let hot and cold currents flow without mixing each other. First, the cool air passes through the openings of the vent and hits its interior wall; Because of the stack effect, cool air with more density descends to the lower levels of the building and cools the interior space; Once this cool air becomes hot, at the inhabitant level, it ascends again to the double-height space and leaves through small openings located in the other side of the chimney. Through this simple, passive, and inexpensive process, the air at human height stays cool during the day. En la Universidad de Doha, cada chimenea, de forma independiente funciona como un regulador térmico del espacio interior. Usando como referencia las torres de viento o atrapavientos, elementos de la arquitectura tradicional árabe, las chimeneas renuevan el aire interior de forma constante. Como podemos ver en la imagen de portada, estas chimeneas se orientan hacia las corrientes de aire predominantemente frías y se colocan de forma escalonada para evitar que se bloqueen el aire entre ellas. El interior de cada chimenea está dividido en dos partes para permitir el paso de corrientes frías y cálidas sin mezclarse.