Five key principles in Iranian architecture have emerged from a profound human perspective on nature and lifestyle. These principles are defined by a commitment to respecting human needs; avoiding futility and waste in the living environment; ensuring structural proportions align with the human body for environmental comfort; utilizing the most accessible, indigenous materials to create structures in harmony with nature; and adhering to standards of craftsmanship, material science, and construction techniques. The *badgir* (windcatcher) is a prime example of a functional structure in traditional Iranian architecture—shaped by the local climate to enhance human environmental comfort—that has become a hallmark of Iranian architecture in hot, arid regions. Throughout history, inhabitants of hot desert areas discovered that incorporating windcatchers into architectural spaces could regulate and cool indoor airflow; consequently, windcatchers of various forms were constructed across central and southern Iranian cities. The significance of this structure in the architecture of hot regions is such that, beyond the impression its indigenous design made on travelers and chroniclers, its widespread use in public-benefit buildings—commissioned by benefactors across various eras—has also drawn attention, with many documenting its function and structural form. This paper presents a theoretical study employing a historical-architectural approach and a descriptive-analytical method based on written sources and library research. It aims to examine the architectural characteristics and functions of the windcatcher in Iran, as well as its role in selected public-benefit buildings across hot regions. To this end, the architecture of the windcatcher is analyzed, its functional impact as perceived by travelers is discussed, and notable examples of windcatchers found in endowed buildings are highlighted.