From Badgir to Bioclimatic

For thousands of years, Persian badgir (windcatchers) have delivered comfort by moving air with physics, not power. AdapTive Envelope SysTems apply the same thermal dynamics — stack effect, cross-ventilation, and night flushing — to make comfort sustainable today.

The Badgir Principle (Heritage → Physics)

Passive first: shape air, not just temperature.

Stack effect: Warm air rises and exits through high vents, pulling cooler air from shaded inlets.
Cross-ventilation: Pressure differences capture breeze at one face and exhaust at another.
Night flushing: Purge daytime heat with cooler night air to reset mass and surfaces.
Shading + diffusion: Control radiation and glare so air feels cooler at skin level.

①Shaded low intake admits cooler air.

②Louvered or chimney-top outlets vent rising heat.

③Cross-breeze accelerates flow (Bernoulli pressure drop).

④Night flush cools mass → easier comfort next day.

Result: 4–8 °C (≈8–15 °F) perceived relief before any mechanical cooling.

How Our Bioclimatic Pergolas Apply It

Tilt-louver logic: Louvers feather to invite breeze or seal to shed rain; upper gaps relieve buoyant heat.
Defined intake: Shaded perimeter and floor-level openings feed cooler air across occupants.
Glass with control: Vertical glass opens for cross-flow or closes for wind block without losing daylight.
Smart orchestration: Sensors coordinate sun, wind, and temperature so airflow happens automatically.
Seasonal modes: Summer = vent + shade; Shoulder = mixed; Winter sun = capture + wind shield.

Systems are the enablers; the outcome is Sustainable comforT — comfort achieved with physics first.

Comfort shouldn’t require constant correction. AdapTive Envelope SysTems use responsive movement—tilting, shading, and sealing—to keep spaces in natural balance. By harnessing daylight, airflow, and passive thermal control (badgir logic: vent high, draw low), heavy mechanical conditioning drops while comfort stays steady.

Use light, block glare. Shape sun angles without closing the room.
Invite air, avoid drafts. Modulate breeze with louver tilt and opening size.
Seal when needed. Glass closes to stabilize temperature and reduce load.
Touch-button simple. One action sets a calm, efficient baseline.

From retractable roofs that follow the sun to vertical glass that calms wind and noise, each motion is purpose-built for quiet efficiency.

Efficiency only matters if it lasts. AdapTive Envelope SysTems use architectural aluminum, engineered glass, and weather-sealed components made to be serviced and renewed. Modularity replaces waste — panels swap, motors update, finishes refinish — so performance and appearance age gracefully.

01

Precision materials

Structural aluminum and architectural glass designed for decades of use.

02

Modular by intent

Replace or reconfigure panels and drives without rebuilding the structure.

03

Serviceable parts

Access points, standard fasteners, and protected wiring simplify maintenance.

04

Finish that holds up

Durable coatings and gasketing resist UV, heat, and coastal conditions.

Longevity is a design decision — engineered for quiet operation today and straightforward renewal tomorrow.

AdapTive Envelope SysTems invite daylight without glare, airflow without drafts, and privacy without isolation. Each motion—louvers tilting, glass gliding, shades lowering—keeps a calm equilibrium between openness and protection so people feel good in the space, all year long.

Light, not glare. Angle louvers to soften sun while preserving brightness and views.
Air, not drafts. Tune opening size and height to move air gently across the room.
Quiet, not closed. Vertical glass calms wind and sound without breaking connection to outside.
Privacy, not walls. Screens define edges and comfort zones while keeping lines open.

Wellbeing isn’t a theme—it’s the outcome of responsive comfort, delivered with minimal effort.

AdapTive Envelope SysTems mark a shift toward living architecture—structures that learn, flex, and endure. Each design minimizes the need for artificial conditioning, lowers lifetime energy costs, and enhances spatial value with every passing season.

“The future of comfort isn’t powered by more systems — it’s defined by smarter ones.”

When comfort, efficiency, and longevity align, sustainability stops being a checkbox and becomes a way of building. Design once. Live well. Adapt always.

Discover ROI made easy →

The comfort you build today
shapes how people live tomorrow.

Every AdapTive Envelope project begins with a simple idea — to design for the moments between indoors and out. To move air, light, and life with intention. When you build with adaptability, sustainability becomes experience.

Continue the journey →

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about efficiency, material sustainability, lifecycle value, and how AdapTive Envelope SysTems create lasting comforT with minimal energy use.

+How energy-efficient are these systems?

AdapTive Envelope SysTems lower energy use by managing sunlight, shade, and natural ventilation before HVAC is needed. Roof and glass integration reduces peak load while maintaining daylight quality and thermal comfort.

+What makes the materials sustainable?

Structural aluminum is fully recyclable, long-life coated, and designed for serviceability. Systems use modular components instead of throwaway assemblies — lowering embodied carbon across their lifespan.

+Do these systems qualify for green-building credits?

Yes. They contribute to LEED and WELL credits under Energy Optimization, Daylight Access, and Thermal Comfort. We can provide supporting data and performance documentation during your certification process.

+Can they integrate with solar or smart-building controls?

Absolutely. Roof modules can support photovoltaic panels, and our control architecture connects to BACnet, Crestron, and other smart-building networks for automated energy management.

+How do they perform in extreme weather?

Every system is tested for wind, rain, and thermal performance. Integrated drainage, gasketed panels, and sealed drive systems ensure dependable operation in desert, coastal, and alpine climates alike.

+What’s the maintenance or long-term impact?

Routine cleaning and inspection are typically all that’s required. The real savings come from reduced energy waste, longer seasonal use, and deferred capital upgrades through adaptive shading and ventilation.

+Can these systems retrofit existing buildings?

Yes — retrofits are one of the most effective sustainability upgrades available. Adding a controlled outdoor envelope extends usable square footage and improves building efficiency without expanding conditioned floor area.

Sustainable comforT for a moving world.

From Badgir to Bioclimatic