Ostilla-Mónico, RodolfoTolat, Chaitanya2021-02-232021-02-232019https://hdl.handle.net/10657/7568Windcatchers are architectural elements that cool and ventilate interiors of dwellings by "catching" oncoming wind and redirecting it into a dwelling. Despite the ongoing prospect of low energy HVAC, windcatchers haven't been used much in western architecture. This is potentially due to the lack of concrete understanding behind how they achieve their cooling effect. This research hopes to gain an understanding of the principles of windcatcher fluid mechanics and what design elements are critical in achieving their desired effects. From an initial (simplistic) design, independent modifications show which features yield superior airflow and thermal convection results. The ultimate hope is to improve traditional designs which may lead to wider use in tomorrow's infrastructure.en-USThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).Poster