Reinterpreting Khona’s Maxim for Healthy Building Design: An Airflow-Oriented Perspective on Indoor Environmental Quality, Disease Resilience, and Sustainable Architecture

Abstract

Traditional ecological knowledge systems often encode sophisticated environmental insights that resonate with contemporary scientific understanding. One such example is Khona’s maxim, a traditional South Asian guideline emphasizing the importance of unobstructed airflow within built environments. In an era increasingly defined by concerns over indoor air quality (IAQ), airborne disease transmission, and sustainable building practices, revisiting such principles offers valuable interdisciplinary insights. This paper provides a conceptual reinterpretation of Khona’s maxim through the lens of modern building science, environmental engineering, and public health. Drawing on literature related to ventilation, airflow dynamics, and infection control, the study examines how airflow-oriented design enhances indoor environmental quality and contributes to disease resilience. The findings suggest that Khona’s maxim aligns closely with contemporary principles of passive design and ventilation-driven health strategies. The study highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific frameworks to advance sustainable and healthy built environments.