The ingenuity of ancient builders, whose creations range from Persia’s intricate qanat systems to the timeless Roman aqueducts and clever desert cooling methods, really shows how brilliant humanity can be when it truly understands and works with nature. Today, our construction industry boasts cutting-edge materials, powerful machinery, and sophisticated computer designs. But it is worth asking whether we have truly picked up on all the lessons from these incredibly long-lasting technologies, or whether there is still a wealth of insight just waiting to be rediscovered and put to good use. Modern building has certainly drawn inspiration from these ancient marvels, particularly in the basic principles of civil engineering. Yet there remains enormous potential in the sustainability, resilience, and resourcefulness of these historical practices.
Take the qanat system, for instance, a brilliant network of gently sloping underground tunnels that tapped into groundwater, bringing it to the surface purely by gravity. Originating in Persia thousands of years ago, these systems were masters of sustainable water management. They virtually eliminated evaporation, kept the water clean, and needed absolutely no external energy to run. We largely swapped them out for high-speed, high-capacity deep wells and vast pipeline networks, but the environmental fallout from over-extraction, such as land sinking and aquifers drying up, highlights just how sustainable the qanat inherently was. Arif Gasilov, Partner at Gasilov Group, said: “Modern construction often bolts sustainability on at the end instead of baking it into the design from the start. Ancient builders did not have the luxury of energy intensive mechanical systems, as they had to work with climate, culture, and available resources. Windcatchers, qanats, thick masonry, and others were all elegant and low-tech solutions that we have currently sidelined in favour of mechanical systems that tend to use far more energy.”
Beyond water management, ancient civilisations developed all sorts of construction techniques that focused on durability, local materials, and clever ways to deal with the climate. Roman concrete, known as opus caementicium, is a prime example, standing in stark contrast to many of today’s mixes. What is astonishing is its unique ability to heal itself, particularly when exposed to seawater, allowing it to last for centuries. Groundbreaking research, much of it from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, has shed light on this. Scientists including Professor Admir Masic and Professor Marie Jackson have analysed ancient Roman concrete samples, revealing how volcanic ash interacts with lime and seawater to create exceptionally stable compounds and remarkable self-healing properties.
Tim Noonan, Chief Executive Officer of Evertrak, said: “The builders of the past did not have our supply chains, but they did have something we often forget, the ability to work with what lasts. Roman concrete that heals itself, stone that has been standing for hundreds of years, and timber joinery made for repairs, these all show that materials and design can last through time.” This principle directly inspired Evertrak’s own work. Noonan said: “We saw the same thing happen with railways at Evertrak. The ties that hold the industry together rust, fracture, and need to be replaced far too often. Our method, composite ties made with glass fibre and recycled plastics, follows the old saying, build with what lasts. A railway tie that lasts fifty years is not just a story about being eco-friendly, it is also about being safe, strong, and cost-effective.”
Another area where ancient builders truly excelled was passive climate control. Windcatchers, also known as badgirs, are brilliant examples, often incorporated with qanat systems to provide natural air conditioning. Thick walls, strategically placed courtyards, and carefully designed openings regulated indoor temperatures long before mechanical heating and cooling systems. Arif Gasilov said: “A good example is Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, where modern wind towers inspired by vernacular architecture are cooling public spaces, reducing reliance on intensive air conditioning. Adobe buildings in desert and semi-arid locales such as Morocco and New Mexico are also still proving that earth materials provide incredible thermal comfort with lower energy use.” The hypocaust systems of ancient Rome, which provided underfloor heating by circulating hot air beneath floors and through walls, also demonstrate a mastery of radiant heat that remains relevant today.
Ancient builders also mastered structural resilience. Dry stone construction, where massive stones were fitted without mortar, created structures that could flex and settle during earthquakes, not unlike modern base isolation. Similarly, traditional Japanese timber joinery used intricate interlocking wood joints without metal fasteners, resulting in flexible, repairable structures that could endure seismic forces for centuries. Tim Noonan said: “If we value longevity and adaptation, whether it is through old stone or new composites, we can build infrastructure that lasts longer than political cycles and weather patterns. That is advice we should not disregard.”
While modern construction has pushed for speed and scale, often relying on energy-intensive materials and processes, there are still crucial lessons we can take away from ancient technologies. Ancient builders worked with local resources, created minimal waste, and designed for repairability. Arif Gasilov said: “The big takeaway is that resilience starts with design, not gadgets. Using local materials, building for repairability, and designing with climate in mind can cut carbon, lower costs, and create buildings that outlast generations. The future of sustainable construction is not about reinventing the wheel but about remembering the wisdom we already had and updating it with today’s science.” Ancient architects did not just build, they intuitively designed structures that worked with their environment to deliver lasting, sustainable solutions. From qanats to Roman concrete, from windcatchers to Japanese joinery, their wisdom reminds us that building for centuries rather than decades are not only possible but essential. By combining their principles with modern science and materials, we can shape a construction industry that is stronger, more resilient, and truly sustainable.
Written by Alex Andreou
