bloc: A Modular Cooling System for Urban Spaces

Major cities are enduring increasingly punishing summers as asphalt and concrete store heat. A new sustainable solution aims to reshape urban furniture by providing pedestrians with direct thermal relief without placing extra strain on local electrical infrastructure.

How does the innovative brick cool urban spaces?

Created by two young inventors, the modular system known as bloc combines water evaporation with clay and solar power. The technology can lower the local temperature by up to 9°C (16°F), creating comfortable spots amid the daily heat.

This three-dimensionally printed ceramic block combines several practical features to deliver maximum outdoor efficiency. Its structural and operational characteristics show how this passive engineering works directly on city streets through the following critical factors:

• Porous terracotta: The material absorbs and holds water, enabling the natural evaporation process.
• Solar-powered ventilation: Small solar-powered fans drive hot air through the damp ceramic.
• Water consumption: On days above 30°C (86°F), the structure requires approximately 57 litres (15 gallons) of water.
• Rainwater collection: The shaped top of the block can collect around 23 litres (six gallons) of rainwater each day.
• Aerodynamic design: Curved surfaces create small shaded areas and help direct the flow of cool air.

Why are urban temperatures reaching alarming levels?

The urban heat island effect makes city centres considerably hotter than neighbouring rural areas. Satellites have recorded striking differences of between 18 and 27 degrees during the summer.

Dark roofs and concrete paving take in intense solar radiation throughout the day, then gradually release the stored heat. This ongoing process leaves the atmosphere stifling and uncomfortable, even many hours after sunset.

What impact could this invention have on citizens’ everyday lives?

The initiative began as a degree final project at Zurich University of the Arts, with a focus on practical everyday solutions. Its main aim was to reconsider the role of ordinary public furniture in tackling periods of extreme heat.

Efficient Urban Innovation

Smart Urban Furniture

The design was developed within the industrial design programme to meet the population’s genuine needs.

Its low-wall form allows citizens to rest while enjoying a cool breeze.

This innovative piece of equipment is particularly suited to urban workers and students affected by severe weather in the most vulnerable public settings. The positive effect of this practical creation can be seen in several locations where it could be used immediately:

• Bus stops, where waiting for transport can often be exhausting.
• Public squares without trees or effective natural cover.
• School playgrounds directly exposed to solar radiation during breaks.

Why should cities prioritise passive cooling systems?

Wider use of clean technologies avoids the highly harmful refrigerant gases commonly used in conventional air-conditioning units. This change protects the global environment while offering a viable option for open spaces.

Providing relief to vulnerable communities without relying on the conventional electricity grid can dramatically reduce public operating costs. The system draws on established ecological principles that deliver major practical benefits to municipal budgets through the following measures:

• Complete independence from cables and connections to the local electricity network.
• Straightforward maintenance centred on topping up water and carrying out regular cleaning.
• Intelligent use of plentiful natural resources, including sunlight and rain.

What are the next steps for implementing the project?

The creators’ next step is to test a full-scale prototype directly in everyday urban environments. This lengthy experimental phase is essential for assessing how the material performs under the adverse conditions found on busy pavements.

Although it is not a replacement for the necessary planting of trees, the block offers a valuable complementary tool against severe heatwaves. The invention, presented through the James Dyson Award, offers genuine hope for urban wellbeing.

References: bloc° – a modular cooling system for Public Spaces | James Dyson Award