Saya-e-Khak is a sustainable, modular cooling structure built for the harsh urban climate of cities like Karachi. Rooted in passive design and local materials, it delivers thermal comfort in overheated public environments without relying on electricity or water. Its Urdu name means “shade of the earth,” reflecting its purpose and cultural grounding. The design responds to intensifying urban heat stress, especially where the urban canyon effect blocks airflow and traps heat between closely spaced buildings. In such contexts, Saya-e-Khak creates a comfortable refuge that is accessible and resource-light. Locally sourced terracotta is chosen for breathability, thermal mass, and a familiar regional aesthetic. The kit-of-parts is conceived for modularity so installations can be scaled or reconfigured to suit many sites and programs. It can be sited at bus stops, parks, and courtyards, and adapted as a heatwave relief shelter when needed. By fusing traditional materiality with climate-responsive architecture, the system offers a low-cost, scalable path to improving wellbeing in a warming city. Environmental and user insights guide its placement and strategy, ensuring performance, cultural fit, and easy deployment in dense neighborhoods and public spaces.

The structure’s spatial strategy centers on a three-walled formation arranged to catch breezes from multiple directions. Hollow bricks are oriented at specific angles so the gaps between them align with incoming wind, establishing a natural airflow corridor. Each brick includes a tapered inner void that leverages the Venturi effect to accelerate passing air, increasing movement through the space without mechanical assistance. As air circulates, top vents provide a path for rising warm air to escape, sustaining continuous ventilation. Overhead, a slanted roof is tuned to block direct solar exposure from the southeast through the southwest during summer months. At the same time, it admits softer northern light, keeping the interior bright while minimizing heat gain. These elements such as angled walls, shaped voids, roof shading, and high-level exhaust work in concert to transform limited wind into perceptible comfort for people using the space. The design approach was iteratively refined through environmental research, wind studies and user feedback to ensure the airflow logic remains effective in tight, poorly ventilated sites. By channeling breezes, releasing heat, and softening sunlight, Saya-e-Khak creates a cool, comfortable microclimate for daily public use.