Windcatcher

Windcatcher is a technology developed by Monodraught to provide natural ventilation without any moving parts. Using the compartmentalised vertical vents, fresh outside air is brought into the room, and stale warm air is expelled - all using the natural effects of the wind. As there are no moving parts, there is nothing to break, wear out, or maintain - the Windcatcher is the essence of sustainable technology.

The Monodraught Windcatcher system has proved to be the most effective method of providing natural ventilation to any commercial building, by encapsulating the prevailing wind from any direction. Clean, fresh air, relatively free from contamination or traffic pollution, is entrained at roof level and is carried down to the rooms below through a controlled damper arrangement.

The Windcatcher system works though normal atmospheric properties, where warm air rises and decreases the air pressure within a room, so cooler air falls into the room, because the air pressure is higher outside. This is a subtle change in air pressure, and produces only enough airflow to make the room comfortably fresh.

The stale and stagnant air from a meeting room or conference hall is extracted by the wind blowing onto the windward side of the wind catcher and the stuffy atmosphere goes out through the leeward side of the ventilation stack. As the wind blows, the windscoop collects the breeze and the room or corridors are freshened.

The natural process that uses wind power is such a subtle and natural process, you do not notice that it is working, because it feels so natural. An air conditioner and other conditioning systems will blow colder air into a room, and try and extract the hot air. This works with wind power and captures the breeze into your rooms.