CFD evaluation of wind catcher performance in residential ventilation in New York: towards a sustainable architecture

Natural ventilation is essential for reducing energy use in buildings, particularly in densely populated cities like New York. This study analyzes the annual performance of a wind catcher system in a residential complex in New York City. Two configurations were evaluated using 98 computational fluid dynamics simulations representing a typical year: a basic wind catcher and an improved version with intermediate vents to enhance airflow in interior spaces. Key indicators such as local mean age of air, air velocity, predicted mean vote, and predicted percentage of dissatisfied were used to assess ventilation and thermal comfort. The improved design reduced the local mean age of air by over 90% and significantly increased airflow in deeper zones. However, full thermal comfort was only achieved near the wind catcher, mainly during summer afternoons. In colder seasons, most areas remained uncomfortable due to cold sensations. The study concludes that achieving year-round comfort in temperate-cold climates requires effective indoor airflow distribution and the implementation of additional passive strategies, such as heat exchanger pipes or a rotary thermal wheel.