<p>In India, where the oppressive heat of summer can reach over 100°F, a 3,000-year-old technology is making a gracious comeback. Terracotta, with its porous and hydrophilic nature, has long served as a natural cooling system. As water seeps into its surface, it cools the immediate surroundings through evaporation, a principle that's been effectively utilized since the time of the Harappan Civilization.</p>

<p>Fast forward to today, innovative companies are harnessing this ancient wisdom to confront modern challenges. Take <a href="https://mitticool.com/product/mitticool-clay-refrigerator50-liter/?srsltid=AfmBOopM2nH7VmywoOshjSGS5UFZ0VujEM-elIehOFgXLBO3Uj45foMu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MittiCool</a>, for example, which has designed terracotta refrigerators that don’t require electricity. Imagine keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh for 3 to 5 days without power—a remarkable feat achieved simply by placing a tray of water in an upper chamber!</p>

<p>But terracotta's applications go beyond mere refrigeration. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Venturi effect</a> is another innovative approach used to cool homes. This principle dictates that as air travels from a larger space into a narrower one, it accelerates and cools as it moves. For centuries, Indian homes have benefited from terracotta screens called <em>jaali</em>. These creatively crafted screens allow air to flow through, dropping its moisture content and cooling the space behind them.</p>

<p>Enter <a href="https://www.coolant.co/gallery-facade-hs/civil-lines-commercial-complex" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoolAnt</a>, a design studio that’s utilizing terracotta to create entire building facades that combat the harsh summer sun. Monish Siripurapu, the founder, proudly states, “We’ve harnessed its hydrophilic properties and observed average temperature drops of 14°F across more than 30 sites.”</p>

<p>With only 20% of Indian households able to afford air conditioning and just 35% having access to refrigeration, the challenge of maintaining a comfortable home during such extreme heat is significant. As climate scientists predict worsening temperatures in the coming decades, the significance of embracing such time-tested solutions becomes even more imperative.</p>

<p>By looking to the wisdom of ancient civilizations, we might just find the solutions our modern world needs. Terracotta not only represents a sustainable path forward but also connects us with a rich heritage of adaptation and resilience.</p>

<p><strong>Let’s share this beautiful blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation today!</strong></p>