Terracotta, a 3,000-year-old solution to combating extreme heat, is making a comeback in modern times as companies adapt this humble clay-based ceramic to keep people cool without the need for electricity. With a little over 20 percent of India’s households owning air conditioners or coolers and fewer than a third having refrigerators, millions of people are left to endure rising temperatures without artificial cooling. In 2024, India experienced its hottest year on record, leading to over 700 heat-related deaths. Researchers warn that 76 percent of the population faces high to very high heat risks.
Terracotta, once used by the Bronze Age Harappan civilization to store water, is now being utilized as a low-cost, low-energy alternative for cooling. Its porous surface allows water to evaporate slowly, carrying heat away and cooling the surrounding space. Architects in India are incorporating terracotta into passive cooling solutions such as clay refrigerators, perforated tiles, ventilated screens, and facades that promote natural ventilation and facilitate heat and moisture transfer between indoor and outdoor environments.
One pioneering company in this field is Ant Studio, based in Delhi, which uses terracotta as a second skin on concrete buildings through its CoolAnt project. By harnessing terracotta’s hydrophilic properties, the company has observed average temperature reductions of six to eight degrees Celsius across multiple sites in India. Another company, A Threshold, based in Bengaluru, repurposes recycled terracotta into breathable facades.
Moreover, MittiCool, a Gujarat-based company, has developed clay refrigerators that can keep food fresh for up to five days without power, catering to homes without reliable electricity. This innovative use of terracotta not only provides a more sustainable cooling solution but also reduces dependence on fossil-fuel-powered grids, potentially transforming the energy and construction sectors.
In conclusion, terracotta’s ancient cooling properties are being rediscovered and adapted to address the challenges of extreme heat in modern times. By incorporating this traditional material into innovative cooling solutions, companies are not only providing relief from soaring temperatures but also paving the way towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
