TerraCool, an innovative and sustainable cooling method by architect Dilara Temel and industrial designer Lachlan Fahy, debuted at Dutch Design Week 2023 under the ‘Urban Oasis’ theme. TerraCool employs ceramics for passive cooling through evaporation, inspired by historical techniques from Iran, India, Egypt, and Spain. Addressing urban heat islands, TerraCool offers an affordable solution to improve urban living conditions. The design integrates modular, hollow ceramic bricks with minimal surfaces, ensuring structural integrity and efficient cooling. Created via parametric design and advanced manufacturing, TerraCool allows for mass customization tailored to local climates and water sources, merging digital technology with traditional craftsmanship.
Architect Dilara Temel and industrial designer Lachlan Fahy created TerraCool, which debuted at Dutch Design Week 2023 under the ‘Urban Oasis’ theme. It uses ceramics for passive cooling through evaporation. Minimal surface geometries enhance cooling efficiency and structural integrity, facilitating easy architectural integration.
TerraCool’s cooling mechanism uses the natural porosity of fired terracotta to cool the air through evaporation. This method, used historically in regions like Iran, India, Egypt, and Spain, inspires TerraCool’s approach. Water penetrates the ceramic surface and evaporates, cooling the air.
TerraCool addresses urban heat islands, impacting living conditions and public health. It offers an affordable, accessible cooling solution using ceramics for more comfortable urban environments.
The project by Lachlan Fahy and Dilara Temel aims to integrate evaporative cooling into architecture with its modular design, parametric adaptability, and manufacturing simplicity.
The design features hollow geometries with a high surface area-to-volume ratio, inspired by advanced heat exchangers for power plants. These geometries facilitate efficient airflow and evaporation.
Minimal surfaces also provide strong structural integrity, crucial for supporting the weight of water. TerraCool’s design process merges tradition with modern techniques. It starts with modular hollow ceramic bricks created through a parametric design system, generating interconnected curves. These units are then fabricated using subtractive or additive manufacturing methods.
The innovative use of positives as molds for brick variations reduces manufacturing time and allows for mass customization. Designs can be tailored to local climates and water sources. TerraCool blends digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, resulting in a versatile and sustainable cooling solution.
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