Durchlüftete

Durchlüftete is the participle and adjective form derived from durchlüften, meaning to ventilate through or to air out. In everyday and technical usage, it describes spaces, components, or constructions that allow a through-flow of air from the exterior to the interior and back out. This can refer to natural through-ventilation achieved by openings that are connected or positioned to promote air exchange, as well as to deliberately designed ventilation paths such as ducts or shafts.

In architecture and building physics, durchlüftet spaces aim to improve indoor air quality, regulate humidity, and contribute to thermal comfort. The principle relies on driving forces like wind pressure differences and the stack effect to move air through a building. Common implementations include opposite or paired openings (for cross-ventilation), ventilated façades, and vertical or horizontal shafts that connect indoor spaces with the outside environment. Through-ventilation is often contrasted with single-sided ventilation or purely mechanical systems, and it can be incorporated into energy-efficient or passive-design strategies.

Advantages of durchlüftete design include improved air freshness, better moisture management, and reduced buildup of odors and pollutants. Potential drawbacks are draft sensations, heat loss in cold weather, and sensitivity to outdoor conditions such as wind and noise. To maximize benefits, durchlüftete concepts are frequently paired with controllable openings, weather- and occupancy-responsive operation, and, where appropriate, supplementary heat recovery or mechanical ventilation to balance energy use and air quality.

In German-speaking building practice, the concept is part of broader discussions on air quality, comfort, and energy performance, and is discussed within guidelines for residential ventilation and sustainable construction.