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The Rastrelli  principle

Termites have always built their homes with vertical air shafts to provide fresh air. The Winter Palace’s architect applied his knowledge of thermodynamics and used much the same principle when he integrated a thousand chimneys into the walls of the palace.

Smoke and air from the rooms in the Winter Palace needed to be renewed frequently. In order to avoid draughts the incoming air was heated in vertical shafts placed close to the chimneys. The thermal currents allowed simple pressure equalisation and in this way both the fireplaces and the residents received fresh air.

Nature itself embraces buoyancy, energy and renewal. As opposed to facade or slit ventilation a vertical chimney will work independently of the wind direction. It can draw the air out of the room and expel it into the open air without creating noise or requiring electricity. The chimneys in the Winter Palace could provide ventilation even in the innermost rooms of the palace.

The chimneys (vertical shafts) can replace electrically-driven ventilators and it is not just in old buildings that they are useful. During the renovation of the 1960s building Urbanplanen in Copenhagen S NIRAS has had chimney towers built into the facade. New buildings can also benefit from being equipped with chimneys.