Vishwanath B S
Dhruv Ruparel
Nisha Botelho
Nirmal Smart
Yash Vinayak Bhat
Goa Institute of Management
Divya Singhal
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CoolAnt, a company within Ant Studio, leads the way in developing innovative solutions that harmonize nature, art, and technology in order to combat global climate crisis. Their work is focused on terracotta-based evaporative cooling systems, which are energy-efficient and sustainable alternatives to air-conditioning units. Such systems not only help in cooling but also aesthetically enhance urban spaces.
CoolAnt uses traditional cooling methods combined with advanced material science and delivers environmentally friendly solutions for urgent urban cooling needs. The systems also require considerably less energy and produce less carbon emissions, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Specifically, the work of CoolAnt supports SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by promoting the use of renewable and energy-efficient cooling solutions. Its commitment to sustainable cities and communities, SDG 11, is manifested in making urban environments more livable and climate-resilient . CoolAnt works toward SDG 13: Climate Action by mitigating climate change through reduced carbon emissions,
CoolAnt's innovative approach goes beyond a practical solution for urban heat islands and embodies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. They are bringing art and science together to produce a positive impact on both the environment and human well-being. Such a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility places CoolAnt at the forefront of climate-conscious technologies and drives a future for a more sustainable world for everyone.
CoolAnt's Evaporative Cooling System - Terracotta is a Groundbreaking Urban Cooling Solution Concept. The system was inspired by both traditional cooling methods and modern engineering. That is, clay modules are designed to reduce the natural decrease in air temperature. Comparatively, this system provides a solution that is climate-friendly and saves energy costs.
The innovation addresses diverse climatic conditions, making it adaptable to various urban environments. By leveraging local materials such as terracotta and integrating techniques like shading and ventilation, CoolAnt’s systems are customized to the specific needs of each site. Site-specific studies are conducted to understand sun paths, ventilation patterns, and material sourcing, ensuring that the solution is not only effective but also sustainable.
The holistic design integrates seamlessly into urban spaces, balancing aesthetics with functionality. Beyond cooling, CoolAnt’s systems reduce operational costs by up to 70% and provide a 6-8°C temperature drop on average, with even greater effectiveness in arid regions. This innovation also supports circular economy principles by utilizing recycled materials and collaborating with local artisans, reducing waste and fostering community involvement.
CoolAnt’s solutions align with multiple SDGs, including promoting sustainable industry and infrastructure (SDG 9) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). Their terracotta cooling systems serve as a testament to how traditional knowledge, combined with modern technology, can address urbanization challenges and contribute to a sustainable future.
CoolAnt's story was inspired by the passion of its founders for bringing nature, art, and technology together as sustainable solutions. Muskaan Jain mentioned to me, "I found it attractive that the studio kept focusing on researching and experimenting. They want to do something different by merging sustainability with cutting-edge design."
The second key team member is Pranjal, who talked about the necessity of solutions being research-based. According to him, "The clients always ask for factual data about energy savings. It led to our research and, hence, developed our products with measurable benefits." Evidence-based innovation helped them strengthen their offerings while making it easier for the clients to believe in seeking tangible results.
The founder’s emphasis on the circular economy also inspires the team. Muskaan shared, "We work with recycled materials, partnering with local potters and industries to reduce landfill waste. This not only aligns with sustainability goals but also creates meaningful community collaborations."
Collaboration is a cornerstone in CoolAnt’s philosophy. As Muskaan noted, "Building a successful company is less about competition and more about collaboration. We actively engage with organizations and individuals who complement our expertise." This collaborative spirit ensures that CoolAnt remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation, constantly learning and evolving.
The team’s dedication to sustainable practices and their belief in the power of collaboration serve as a beacon of inspiration, driving them to create solutions that positively impact society and the environment.
CoolAnt's terracotta cooling systems have had enormous short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, the installations have provided appreciable benefits, such as 6-8°C reduction in temperature in warm weather conditions and up to 70% reduction in operational energy cost. These results enhanced comfort and reduced dependence on air-conditioning, especially hot regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat where temperatures sometimes reach a height of 40°C.
The long-term impacts are even more transformative. Supporting sustainable urban living through CoolAnt's solutions aligns with the goals of global climate action. Local and recycled materials reduce environmental footprints while strengthening local economies by engaging artisans and small businesses. Their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a circular economy is a testament to their commitment to creating a sustainable future.
Their visibility on platforms such as Shark Tank India has heightened their influence. With the heightened demand, CoolAnt has managed to expand operations and, therefore, expand its staff and enhance its capacity for innovative solutions. The following are notable projects, such as net-zero energy buildings in Hyderabad, that point out their ability to align the aspirations of clients with sustainable practices.
Evidence of their impact includes measurable energy savings, client testimonials, and growing interest from diverse stakeholders. CoolAnt has thus set a benchmark for innovation that benefits society and the environment by addressing urban cooling challenges in a holistic and sustainable manner.
Ever since appearing on Shark Tank India, the CoolAnt journey aptly represents innovation and sustainability. It is a company that takes up cooling with methods which are natural and not harsh to the environment; that works very well for this rising market. This rising visibility had to be supported by increasing demand, forcing the company to scale up its operations pretty fast. This is also reflected by Muskaan's observations that in one year, the size of the team has gone from 15 to 27 members as the company has been struggling to respond to the escalating client inquiries and project demands.
CoolAnt's strategy in selecting clients has been an important reason for their success. The company ensures that the values are aligned with the client as well as the project by choosing only those collaborations that share a commitment to sustainability. This selective approach brought them the high-impact projects such as the net-zero energy building in Hyderabad, their expertise in sustainable design completely matching the aspirations of the client.
Furthermore, CoolAnt's interest in local sourcing and the principles of the circular economy have yielded a lot.Using materials sourced locally, such as terracotta, saves them money but also gives their products more authenticity and cultural relevance. The importance placed on recycling and reusing resources has led to important partnerships and collaborations within the local community, creating a strong network that supports their mission.
The result of such strategic decisions is that the revenues and market share are considerably high for CoolAnt. Solutions in cooling presented by CoolAnt have both served to solve pressing climatic issues and made the firm the most influential in green urban design. Strong brand reputation with the commitment to responsible environment will definitely pave ways for growth and impact through coming years.
CoolAnt's innovative cooling systems are a great case study in sustainable and socially responsible design. They pioneered passive cooling solutions that utilize the natural properties of terracotta to address the pressing issue of energy-intensive air conditioning, which is one of the major contributors to climate change.
Their terracotta modules, carefully created from recycled materials, are a prime example of circular economy principles. CoolAnt minimizes waste and supports local artisans, which not only lessens the environmental impact but also creates sustainable livelihoods for local communities. This local approach minimizes transportation emissions, further enhancing the environmental benefits of their solutions.
CoolAnt's technology also creates very impressive social impacts. Areas that experience a raising temperature are relieved by means of these systems, showing comfort and energy efficiency to cool compared to the standard method. Proven effect is a temperature reduction up to 6-8°C, with higher effects in arid climates which directly improves living and working conditions, enhancing productivity and welfare.
In addition, by conserving the use of energy-hungry air conditioning, CoolAnt saves operational costs for its clients by significant amounts. The cost benefits along with environmental advantages make their solutions a very attractive proposition for residential as well as commercial applications.
This case is a proof of innovative design to solve the most acute urban challenges. CoolAnt prioritized sustainability, social responsibility, and well-being as drivers, making it a model for others and showing how businesses can make profit without harm to the future.
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Muskaan Jain, Architect/Branding & Communication Designer
Pranjal Maheshwari, Architect/Research and Communication Architect
The purpose of the enterprise is to be able to design and sculpt spaces that generate desired experiences. The pivotal goal is to fabricate and augment the intangible while generating an essence of allure in the space. Ant Studio served and will serve as an amalgamation between architecture and technology, research and its application, craft and precision engineering, art and computational design, and cement all these fields to yield mainstream affirmative results.