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
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.