Live Jars: A Design Framework for Regenerating Traditional Evaporative Cooling Systems in Hot and Dry Climates with a Sustainable Architectural Approach

Karimi, Asal; Najafi, Nafiseh

doi:10.22059/jdt.2026.407769.1169

Live Jars: A Design Framework for Regenerating Traditional Evaporative Cooling Systems in Hot and Dry Climates with a Sustainable Architectural Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Asal Karimi

Nafiseh Najafi

Department of Art, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jdt.2026.407769.1169

Abstract

In recent decades, the intensification of urban heat islands, water scarcity, and increasing dependence on mechanical cooling systems in hot climates have highlighted the necessity of rethinking passive and climate-friendly cooling approaches. In the meantime, traditional clay jars, as evaporative cooling systems based on porous pottery, are part of Iran's indigenous knowledge that have been largely marginalized in contemporary cities. The problem of this research is how to recreate "living jars" as urban cooling modules by relying on the functional logic of these clay systems and at the same time responding to the needs of the city today. The necessity and importance of research lie in the re-linking of climate-friendly pottery technology with contemporary urban design and opening the possibility of reducing energy consumption and strengthening cultural identity in open spaces. This study adopts a qualitative research method and a design-oriented approach to propose a conceptual model for revitalizing these systems. The purpose is to provide a conceptual design framework for transforming traditional clay jars into modular, adaptable urban elements. The results, presented as a design proposal and functional logic, suggest the feasibility of creating low-cost and sustainable cooling modules that improve environmental comfort and urban aesthetics by blending traditional pottery principles with contemporary design.

Keywords

Clay Pottery

Sustainable Urban Design

Hot and Dry Climate

Urban Cooling Module

Subjects

Design Thinking

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