Malqaf
Wind-scoop & roof venting (humid variant)
Born in Kerala, Malay houses, Fujian shophouses, SE Asia.
How it works
In humid climates mass and evaporation don't help, so the strategy flips to maximising air movement, raised ventilated roofs, gable vents, clerestory openings and lightweight breathable walls keep air moving over skin to aid sweat evaporation.
In a modern home
Ridge / gable roof vents, cross-ventilated thin floor plans, clerestory windows, stilted or raised floors for under-floor airflow.
What it answers
Source
Hassan Fathy, Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture (1986), on the malqaf wind-catch.
Follow the threads
Kyoto townhouseshares poor ventilation, no cross breeze, humidity→Shaded draft loggiashares poor ventilation, no cross breeze, catch & move air→Solar chimneyshares poor ventilation, no cross breeze, catch & move air→Windcatchershares poor ventilation, no cross breeze, catch & move air→Courtyard stack ventilationshares poor ventilation, catch & move air, breath→Projecting lattice screenshares no cross breeze, catch & move air, breath→