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The Aiolos principle

The Greek god Aiolos controlled the four winds. We have named the principle of screening off the wind after him – a principle that should be exploited far more in modern buildings.

When Rastrelli designed the Winter Palace he exploited the wind such that it became a friend rather than an enemy. The inner courtyards of the palace with many windows gave the opportunity of combining safety, tranquillity and fresh air. The courtyards were designed in the style of the period. Trees were planted as a natural screen against the wind in the same way as many architects today also use banks of earth.

Today architects often design new, tall buildings, which give the neighbouring buildings problems with uncomfortable draughts and can even destroy ventilation systems. The old masters exploited the landscape, protected the buildings against the wind and at the same time provided safe, cost-free ventilation.

It can be worth while to think in preventive terms when designing buildings. If courtyards are built to screen off the wind then at the same time there will be small oases for the residents in the summer.