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
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.