Malaysian students invent honeycomb bricks to cool homes without electricity

Integrating directly into a building's exterior walls, Brikoole is a new passive cooling system that reduces the need for air conditioning. An alternative to traditional bricks, each unit features ventilation holes, a 3D-printed honeycomb mesh and an integrated water distribution system working together to cool air as it flows into a building. The design for Brikoole was inspired by ventilation systems in termite mounds, as well as windcatchers in traditional Middle Eastern architecture and Salsabil fountains.

Two students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation — Chong Chee Kin (Wayne) and Ng Kah Zun (Nixon) — are the brains behind the new invention. Their testing shows that Brikoole could lower interior temperatures by 6 degrees Celsius on average, representing massive potential reductions in electricity use and CO2 emissions. Brikoole won the James Dyson Award for Malaysia in September 2024 and is eligible to enter the shortlist for the global award, which will be presented in November.

Many Asian markets grappled with heatwaves in recent months, and 2024 is set to go down as the hottest year on record. Long-term solutions that don't rely on cranking up the air conditioning — with its associated increases in energy usage, carbon emissions and utility prices — are sorely needed. Indeed, as reported by the Vulcan Post, the idea for Brikoole was first sparked because someone close to Nixon struggled financially after electricity bills spiked due to cooling needs.

Deloitte's 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reported that 6 out of 10 of those born between 1983 and 2005 are anxious about climate change. Ultimately, they're the ones who will inherit a hotter planet. While the majority of younger consumers believe businesses have the most opportunity and influence to drive change, many also take matters into their own hands with innovative solutions like Brikoole.

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