A sustainable bloc modular cooling system for urban street furniture

Major cities are facing increasingly punishing summers because asphalt and concrete store heat. A new sustainable solution aims to reinvent urban street furniture, delivering direct thermal relief for pedestrians without putting 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 uses water evaporation combined with clay and solar power. This approach can lower the surrounding temperature by up to 16°F (about 9°C), creating comfortable pockets of air amid the day-to-day heat.

This 3D-printed ceramic block brings together several practical features designed for maximum outdoor efficiency. Its structure and operation show how this form of passive engineering works directly on the street through the key factors below.

• Porous terracotta: The material soaks up and holds water, enabling natural evaporative cooling.
• Solar ventilation: Small solar-powered fans push hot air through the damp ceramic.
• Water use: The unit needs roughly 15 gallons (about 57 litres) of water on days above 86°F (around 30°C).
• Rainwater collection: The shaped top can capture about 6 gallons (around 23 litres) of rainwater per day.
• Aerodynamic design: Curved surfaces create small patches of shade and help steer the flow of cooler air.

Why are urban temperatures reaching alarming levels?

The urban heat island effect makes city centres far hotter than nearby rural areas. Satellite data shows striking gaps of roughly 18°C to 27°C during the summer.

Dark roofs and concrete pavements absorb intense solar radiation throughout the day and then release the stored heat gradually. This constant cycle keeps the atmosphere close and uncomfortable even many hours after sunset.

What is the impact of this invention on everyday life?

The project began as a degree final project at Zurich University of the Arts, centred on functional, everyday solutions. The main goal was to rethink the purpose of ordinary public street furniture to help people cope with periods of extreme heat.

Efficient Urban Innovation

Smart Urban Street Furniture

The design was developed within an industrial design programme to meet the population’s real needs. Its low wall-like form lets people take a break while benefiting from the cool breeze.

This innovative installation is especially suited to urban workers and students who are exposed to harsh conditions in the most vulnerable public spaces. Its practical benefits are immediately relevant in places such as:

• Bus stops where waiting for transport is often exhausting.
• Public squares that lack trees or effective natural shade.
• School playgrounds directly exposed to solar radiation during breaks.

Why prioritise passive cooling systems in cities?

Wider use of clean technologies helps avoid the highly damaging refrigerant gases commonly used in conventional air conditioners. This change supports the global environment while offering a realistic option for open-air locations.

Providing relief for vulnerable communities without relying on the standard electricity grid can dramatically reduce public operating costs. Built on well-established ecological principles, the system offers clear advantages for the municipal budget in the following ways:

• Complete independence from cables or connections to the local power grid.
• Simplified maintenance focused on topping up water and routine cleaning.
• Smart use of abundant natural resources such as sunlight and rain.

What are the next steps for implementing the project?

The creators’ next move is to test a full-scale prototype in real, everyday urban settings. This extended experimental phase is essential to understand how the material performs under the tough conditions found on busy pavements.

While it is not a replacement for the necessary planting of trees, the block is positioned as a valuable complementary tool against severe heatwaves. Publicised through the James Dyson Award, the invention offers a genuine prospect of improved urban wellbeing.

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