CoolAnt is a passive cooling system for buildings, developed by New-Delhi-based architect Monish Siripurapu. The name isn't just a twist on refrigerant; Siripurapu was inspired by anthills, which are passively cooled. Air circulates through the tunnels and vents of an anthill, reaching moisture-laden mud. Hot air escapes through upper vents, and the air that remains behind is cooler thanks to the mud.
Because it's not practical to introduce mud into workplaces and homes, Siripurapu use terracotta objects instead. Matrices of terracotta tiles or tubes are built as facades or screens placed in front of windows.
These matrices are equipped with sensors, and as the temperature rises, a low-power pump connected to a nearby tank drips water onto the terracotta.
When heat hits the moist terracotta, it causes the water to evaporate. This process essentially occupies a chunk of heat, lessening the amount of it that reaches the building's occupants. Water that hasn't evaporated is collected at the bottom of the façade, and recirculated into the system.
The terra cotta also provides shade and, with spaces in between, promotes airflow.
Because the terracotta objects don't have to have any particular shape, it allows for a good measure of aesthetic flexibility.
Here's Siripurapu explaining the system:
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Brilliant and beautiful