1- Design principles
2- Using nature
I have 2 topics but cannot find where to put them
T doors in ancient Native American or even Indian [ the continent] structures T doors were fitted.
Here is a discussion about them
As an old licensed architect, I see these as climate responsive doorways that might be good for preserving coolness inside a structure. Run a board across the two ledges and hang a standard blanket across it. It will form a low doorway that traps cool air (it sinks) inside the room while still allowing daylight inside. Allows carrying baskets of grain inside, elbow room, carrying a child, shoulder room, in an otherwise narrow opening. Warmer air is still allowed to flow out the top opening. As heat rises. Also allows more wall integrity of course in a somewhat fragile wall. The rock and plaster moderating the temperature swings. The floor and ceilings doing much the same. Depending on a person's legs, they could also climb or step over over the blanket to go in and out quickly, while children or small animals are restrained. Chickens, small dogs. The high opening also allowing smoke out and ventilation in. Just a thought.
By the way, mica was sometimes used for windows.
Wind towers
These have been discussed before, but I can never find them
so more again
Cooling in the desert
A great Video of what was involved.