Could this system cut the carbon cost of air-con?
Spotted: Climate change has led to more frequent and severe heatwaves, and the increasing need to stay cool indoors is, in turn, speeding up global heating. Researchers have calculated that air conditioning is responsible for around 3.9 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions and startup Blue Frontier Inc. has developed an ultra-efficient, sustainable air conditioning (AC) technology to tackle this climate footprint.
The company’s AC system is designed to replace the energy-intensive Packaged Rooftop Units used to cool commercial buildings. The system uses a liquid saltwater solution as a ‘desiccant’, which is a substance that removes moisture – like the silica bead packets used when shipping products to prevent damp.
First, air is passed over a thin layer of the dessicant, which absorbs moisture. The dried air is then split into two streams. The first air stream gets directed over a thin layer of water, which absorbs the air’s energy (heat) to leave it cooler. This cooler, now-humid, air cools a metal surface, before being funnelled outside. Finally, the cool metal sucks heat out of the second (still dry) air stream, which is then blown into the building. As well as cooling down the building, the system also dehumidifies it to improve indoor air quality and create a healthier indoor environment.
The dessicant will periodically need to release water and be ‘recharged’ for the system to keep working. Typically, this would require fossil-fuel-powered heating, but Blue Frontier instead uses a heat pump. This recharging can occur at night when electricity is cheaper and grid demand is lower.
Depending on weather or usage, the system reduces electricity use by 50 to 90 per cent and reduces peak electricity demand. The company points out that its AC system also enables the replacement of traditional ACs with an ‘HVAC-as-a-service’ business model that’s designed to speed up market adoption by removing the need for large capital investments.
Luckily, recognition of the huge energy footprints of heating and cooling systems is leading to a wave of innovations. These include more viable heat pumps and the use of geothermal energy.
Written By: Lisa Magloff and Matilda Cox
Help Us Measure the Impact of AI in Architecture
Benefits of Participation
How to Participate
Bridge House is a distinctive Houston residence. Nestled on a wooded property with a private ravine leading to Buffalo Bayou, the house draws inspiration from the lightness of a bridge. Approaching from across the ravine via a narrow footbridge, the house stands as a sleek, two-story structure in dark metal, parallel to the ravine. The double-height living room, a glass pavilion, serves as the heart of the home. A suspended second bridge connects private bedrooms, creating an airy atmosphere complemented by steel structure and white walls showcasing a large art collection.
The Marine Education Center at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory emerged after the destruction of the previous center in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. The design prioritizes sustainability, integrating coastal building techniques that align with the marine environment. Emphasizing the use of wood, the design connects the center to the adjacent pine flatwood forest. The facility encompasses outdoor classrooms, laboratories, administration offices, assembly spaces, exhibition areas and a pedestrian suspension bridge providing researchers with a unique opportunity to study the bayou and tidal wetlands of Mississippi.
With the decline of river commerce and levee construction, the town of Jacksonport, Arkansas faced a series of challenges. Situated at the confluence of the White and Black Rivers, a state park was established, and later the design team was tasked with creating a visitor center that not only serves its purpose but also connects visitors to the town’s history and the river. Elevating the park both physically and visually became crucial to overcome the separation caused by levee construction. The design, inspired by the historic “dog-trot” structure, features two glass cubes symbolizing the divided North and South, connected by a bridge representing reunification.
Situated west of Baton Rouge along Grosse Tete Bayou, The Village serves as a gateway to Iberville Parish. Legend attributes the bayou’s name, “big head” in French, to a Choctaw Indian. The community is characterized by majestic live oaks, green pastures, front porches, and the grace of the bayou. The volunteer fire station, a tribute to everyday heroes, is the result of the Fire Chief and Mayor’s initiative.
Designed for a retired couple in Zachary, Louisiana, this small weekend house connects them to 44 acres of land and a more rural architectural tradition. The 550-square-foot house, based on the dogtrot layout, features a full kitchen, living/dining area, bedroom, and basic bath facilities. The project’s thoughtful reinterpretation of residential design ideas in Louisiana separates public and private areas with glazed doors for views and cross-ventilation.
Houston’s Midtown Park was designed to redefine an innovative and resilient approach to stormwater management. It features the “Midtown Bayou” channel and detention system inspired by “natural bayous, shrub swamps, bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands” of Houston. The project’s integrated hydrology system works with bioswales and rain gardens, includes an assortment of native plant materials. The park’s design includes a multi-purpose lawn, a “Rain Fountain” for storm emulation and sculptural berms providing relief to the flat topography and views of the Houston skyline.
In the rural campus of the Holy Rosary Complex, simple volumes emerge from Louisiana’s flat landscape, creating a distinctive sense of place. The design embodies a spiritual experience through balanced spatial relationships and a limited palette of concrete, plate glass, and cast glass. Apertures in the walls channel natural light symbolizing the Paschal Mystery of Christ. The complex includes an oratory, administrative building, and religious education building, forming a thoughtful meditation on sacred spaces. Linear secular components surround the courtyard, emphasizing the oratory’s significance.
Situated on a captivating site between a pond and freshwater marsh, the design of this single-family house was shaped by its surroundings. Surrounded by tall and thin live oak trees, a departure from a more typical and denser form, the house embraces the unique setting. The functional program includes a spacious living/gathering room, kitchen and dining area, a screened porch, and utility functions. Instead of a separate bedroom, the owner opted for a sleeping loft seamlessly connected to the main living space, opening to a covered porch with marsh views.
