BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
As global temperatures rise and power outages become more common, particularly during severe heat waves, current building designs become increasingly vulnerable. Glass façades, sealed windows, and dependency on air conditioning render most modern constructions useless when the power goes out. Houston-area citizens experienced this in July 2024, when the city went without power for days during Hurricane Beryl.
However, long before the invention of electricity, ancient civilizations living in some of the world’s hottest and driest places devised inventive techniques to stay cool. By studying their practices, modern architects and city planners can learn significant lessons about how to make our buildings more resilient in the face of climate change.
Sumerians: communal cooling by design
The Sumerians, who lived in present-day Iraq about 6,000 years ago, developed construction techniques to cope with their harsh, sun-scorched surroundings. Archaeological research shows that Sumerians built dwellings with thick walls made of heat-absorbing materials such as adobe and mud. These materials progressively released the day’s heat at night, keeping indoor temperatures cooler throughout the day.
Sumerian cities likewise emphasized close-knit construction. Buildings were crowded together, minimizing the amount of surface area exposed to direct sunlight. Small courtyards allowed for ventilation and natural light, while narrow alleys gave shade all day. This creative urban planning not only improved cooling but also created a sense of community among people, demonstrating that efficient design can benefit both individuals and society.
Ancient Egyptians: harnessing the wind
The ancient Egyptians endured blistering heat as well, and they responded with ingenious design solutions. While many palaces were made out of heat-resistant stone, common residential buildings were usually made of mud brick, which provided insulation and protection from the sun.
The Egyptians also invented a sophisticated cooling system known as the malqaf, a wind-catching tower that directed breezes into buildings, circulating cooler air and expelling heat. The Egyptians optimized natural ventilation by orienting these wind catchers toward the prevailing breezes. This ancient technology is still in use today in regions of the Middle East and Central Asia, blowing cool air into enormous buildings without the need for air conditioning.
Ancient Puebloans: solar orientation and natural materials
In the southwestern United States, the ancient Puebloans mastered the art of staying cool. They, like the Sumerians and Egyptians, built their dwellings out of thick, heat-resistant materials like mud brick and rock. They went one step further, carefully examining the orientation of their buildings in relation to the sun.
Puebloans would build entire villages under the overhang of south-facing cliffs, keeping their homes sheltered during the summer and allowing sunlight to warm them in the winter. This deliberate use of solar direction resulted in a natural temperature management system that is still applicable in modern architectural designs.
Adobe dwellings, which originated with the Puebloans, are still a popular choice in the American Southwest due to their longevity and great thermal qualities.
Muslim Caliphates: catching water as it falls
One of the most difficult aspects of living in a hot, dry area is water scarcity. In contrast, modern stormwater management techniques concentrate on diverting rainwater away from urban areas, ancient civilizations considered stormwater as a precious resource that could be collected and reused.
During the ninth century, Muslim caliphates in North Africa and Spain developed dwellings with rainwater gathering devices. Rooftops were sloped to funnel rainfall into underground cisterns, and courtyards were built to collect and store water for plant irrigation. This practical approach not only made life in arid regions more sustainable but also resulted in lush, shaded green spaces in urban areas.
Cities such as Mendoza, Argentina, have revived similar systems and use them to irrigate street trees and other urban vegetation. It serves as a reminder that old wisdom can offer beautiful solutions to today’s environmental concerns.
The Mayans and Teotihuacans: collecting rainwater for the dry season
Mesoamerican ancient civilizations, such as the Mayans and Teotihuacans, advanced water conservation to new heights. Rainwater was channeled into reservoirs and cisterns in cities like Xochicalco, Mexico, from massive constructions such as pyramids and plazas. This stored water helped the inhabitants survive the dry seasons.
These systems were not only functional but also helped build urban resilience by providing access to water even during times of scarcity. Cities throughout the world are revisiting these old ways to improve water security and sustainably manage stormwater.
Applying ancient wisdom to modern design
As temperatures rise all around the world, the teachings from these ancient cultures become more pertinent than ever. Today’s architects and designers may incorporate these time-honored approaches into modern structures to produce more energy-efficient and resilient environments.
Retrofitting contemporary cities to be more climate resilient is an enormous undertaking, but solutions exist—hidden in past civilizations’ designs. By adopting historical learning, we may construct homes and communities that are better prepared to handle a hotter, drier future. From wind-catching towers to rainwater harvesting, these ideas provide practical, energy-efficient solutions to help us adjust to a warmer world.
