'ecooler' by mey + boaz kahn iida awards 2010 'ecooler' by mey + boaz kahn iida awards 2010
oct 05, 2010

'ecooler' by mey + boaz kahn iida awards 2010

‘ecooler’ by mey kahn and boaz kahn

‘ecooler’ by mey kahn and boaz kahn from israel is one of the third prize winners of ‘iida awards 2010‘, organized by designboom in collaboration with incheon metropolitan city.

using passive and natural cooling methods, the ‘ecooler’ screen is a system of hollow ceramic tiles that cools a room by running water through its channels.

designer’s own words: the ‘ecooler’ tile screen offers an alternative for cooling internal spaces without the use of electricity it is based on a hollow ceramic tile that can carry and transfer water. using a designated connector, it can be connected to other tiles, creating a natural cooling screen. ‘ecooler’ is a combination between two traditional middle-eastern elements: the mashrabiya and the jara. the mashrabiya is an architectural element that bears social values as a mediator between the inside and the outside. it is designed to allow air and light into internal spaces. the jara is an ancient jug used for cooling water by seepage and evaporation through the clay. unlike today’s air conditioner that creates separation between the user and the environment while exaggerating climate conditions, the ‘ecooler’ system takes responsibility and allows you to live in harmony with the environment.

connector joint

four tiles configured together

the two traditional middle-eastern elements: the jara (to the left) and the mashrabiya (to the right)

rendering of ‘ecooler’ tile screen

production shots

— for those who wish to republish an excerpt of this article, please have the courtesy to mention that the project is a part of the iida awards 2010 competition, organized by designboom in collaboration with incheon metropolitan city, and link back to the original publication on designboom. thank you.

erika kim I designboom
oct 05, 2010

  • I thought rococo radiator heatwave by Joris Laarman. it is same solution but for cooling. you may say a different design. but realy you can agree as third prize winning entry.. ?
    ummmmm.. I want heat someones opinion.

    more and more says:
    Oct 05, 2010

  • In fact a winner, very beautiful and functional.

    Nanoverso says:
    Oct 05, 2010

  • I know. only pattern is different with joris laarmans one. but I am not interesting in pattern. World knows joris laarman didnt have intention to make pattern design. he found new solution and innovative concept. you are right, It is different pattern. Congratulations winner.

    goodjob says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • Similar solution,different pattern.
    not so bad, but I did not feel originality..

    hofman says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • A great entry,
    driven by tradition towards future,
    very good job!

    Anastasia says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • Laarman did a completely different job.
    His piece is a radiator. The only thing they have in common is
    that the decoration is also functional (the ornamental surface area provides maybe a bit more radiation of heat). BUT the main difference is that Laarman created a very expensive (let’s entitle it) “artwork” and these guys elaborate on a more industrial design element, which can be produced at a popular price. Go ahead with the development!

    Hubert Von Erich says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • I like the fact that the designers have made the effort to build prototypes. Many have lost interest in the verification process.
    Some render only parts of the scene at high detail …

    Jan says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • pure and simple, green and effective, beautiful and not less than ingeneous!

    CarmelO says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • I agree a little with Hubert ,but I got different impression from this project.. Like you said the common concept that decoration is also functional. Laarman did heating raiatot ,however this is cooling radiator, They use module design method. They are enough to impress me, two designs is similar. I guess expensive or not expeensive are not point of discussion. Porsce and Volkswagen are just same transportation design? But I feel it is no bad design. Congratulations

    BMW says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • Beautiful! Looks so aesthetic and nevertheless functional. I also liked other things on their website
    [url=http://www.studiokahn.com] studiokahn.com [/url],

    Jonathan says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • The only way to make this work, is, well, not green. It would not cool a room at all; it would cool the water inside the thin walls of the ceramics, evaporation would transfer the heat to increase the ambient air temperature, which would be absorbed by the ceramic, brass and water. It’s like trying to cool a room with the door to the refrigerator open. This only works if the compressor is in a separate location… And it would just create humidity, possibly allowing moss, mold, or algae to grow on the surface. Looks cool–but that’s about it.

    ROBinHAWAII says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • ROB
    evaporative cooling is used in industrial and air conditioning processes too. this is unglazed material and therefore porous.
    see how it works:
    http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/images/ceramic_refrigerator.jpg

    not in HaWAI says:
    Oct 06, 2010

  • Where can I buy one?

    Charlene Wyatt says:
    Jan 10, 2013

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