CoolAnt Coral: Ant Studio's sustainable terracotta cooling solution | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a groundbreaking initiative to combat the rising heatwave challenges, Delhi-based Ant Studio has introduced CoolAnt Coral, a radial air cooling and purification installation crafted from eco-friendly terracotta pipes.

This innovative public art piece serves as a functional solution to the escalating environmental concerns associated with conventional cooling systems. It addresses both sustainability and energy consumption.

CoolAnt Coral emerges as a response to the increasing heatwave conditions faced by various countries and the growing demand for sustainable cooling solutions.

Ant Studio’s approach centres on revisiting traditional materials, particularly terracotta, to create an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious cooling system.

Ant Studio employs the technique of evaporative cooling, where air is cooled through water evaporation.

Terracotta’s hygroscopic qualities, which keep the clay wet and cool for extended periods, play a pivotal role in this process.

Drawing inspiration from the commonplace use of terracotta in Indian households to keep water cool, the team applies the same principle to air cooling with CoolAnt Coral.

Utilizing computational fluid dynamics and analysis, the team shapes terracotta pipes into cones.

Local potters contribute to actualizing the product, firing the cones at mid-level temperatures to preserve the hygroscopic quality.

The circular steel-framed installation resembles a beehive, symbolizing the studio’s commitment to experimenting with and protecting nature.

The installation, resembling a beehive, stands out for its sustainable design.

Operating without refrigerants, it consumes minimal energy, primarily for the water pump and tank.

The water, circulating through the terracotta cones, undergoes the cooling process before returning to the tank for reuse, forming a self-sustaining cycle.

Ant Studio ensures that all materials used are recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.

CoolAnt Coral, coupled with Ant Studio’s previous creation, The Beehive, showcases a paradigm shift in cooling systems.

These low-maintenance, efficient solutions redefine the conventional approach, offering a glimpse into a future where functionality meets environmental responsibility.

Through these initiatives, Ant Studio pioneers a harmonious blend of technology, design, and nature, presenting a compelling model for sustainable cooling in the face of climate challenges.

Image Credit: Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tegelr%C3%B6r_2016.jpg