Cool brick
Cool bricks are 3D-printed porous ceramic bricks that interlock to form a 3D lattice effect. The porous material of the bricks absorbs water which is then released as warm outside air passes through the lattice, producing an evaporative cooling effect.
The design of the bricks has been optimised for cooling performance and buildability. The brick is shaped to maximise the proportion of the surface that is shaded from the sun, so as to maximise the cooling performance, and when stacked together the bricks interlock to make an effective screen.
The low cost of the materials and the ease of production and installation of cool bricks makes them a good solution for providing comfortable indoor environments in hot, dry climates such as the Middle East and Western Australia.
Cool bricks are the brainchild of Emerging Objects, a California-based studio focussing on innovation in the 3D printing of architectural and building components. Their investigations into architectural form include the Involute Wall, which combines thermal mass and acoustic dampening in a massive 3D printed sand structure.
Much of their innovation is at the prototype stage but it will be interesting to see whether they filter through to mainstream applications.
This article was created by --BRE_Buzz. It was originally published on BRE Buzz in September 2015 and was written by Ali Nicholl, Innovation Network Manager at BRE.
Featured articles and news
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.