68: Approach To The Digital Design of Clay Blocks For The Passive Cooling of Public Spaces

This paper presents an exploratory approach to the digital design and fabrication of clay blocks as a passive system for cooling public spaces. Considering the thermal properties of clay, such as low conductivity, thermal inertia, and moisture absorption capacity, the study proposes a 3D-printed modular system that integrates principles like the Venturi effect and evaporative cooling. The methodological approach connects the tradition of an ancestral material with digital innovation, linking Latin American sculptural references with parametric design tools. The project development also considers assembly criteria, material efficiency, and environmental performance of the module, including its thermal evaluation under warm-dry climatic conditions. Located in Concepción, Chile, the proposal offers a sustainable alternative for high-temperature contexts.