The Arabic Method to Combat Extreme Heat
As global temperatures rise, extreme heat has become a persistent reality affecting regions worldwide, including cities as far north as Berlin and Warsaw, which have recently experienced unprecedented temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon, once unimaginable, highlights the stark realities of climate change. Spain, while somewhat more accustomed to warm summers, is not exempt from the increasing intensity of summer heat, prompting societies across Europe to scramble for effective solutions to cope with increasingly oppressive temperatures.
In the face of this challenge, historical wisdom emerges as a beacon of hope for communities that often find themselves ill-prepared for such climatic extremes. One such example comes from the Arab civilization, which boasts centuries of experience in navigating the harsh desert climate. The inhabitants of North Africa, following traditional architectural practices, have developed innovative methods to combat extreme heat, relying primarily on the simple principle of water evaporation.
The Moroccan Technique
A particularly effective method involves placing a damp towel, preferably made of cotton, in front of an open window. This technique allows the warm air to pass over the wet towel, which cools the air before it enters the room. The underlying physics is straightforward: as the warm air moves across the towel, it evaporates the water droplets, resulting in cooler air being drawn indoors. This trick is most effective in dry climates and is particularly beneficial during the cooler hours of the evening or early morning. It's important that the towel is not soaking wet; instead, it should be damp to maximize the cooling effect. Furthermore, if the towel is positioned between two rooms with windows open at opposite ends, the cooling effect can be significantly enhanced.
The architect Mavi. arch has shared insights on this traditional method through her Instagram, illustrating the wisdom of Arab cultures in managing extreme heat, a knowledge that spread throughout the Maghreb and into the Iberian Peninsula. Traditional desert architecture was designed with these very challenges in mind, utilizing natural materials and techniques to create comfortable living spaces in the face of soaring temperatures.
As reported by as.com.
