Cool Towers

Nov. 23, 2018

An Advancement in Energy-Saving Technology

Where
CAPLA Material Labs
Categories

This fall, students of the ARC 461p and 561p, Environmental Science Laboratory, finished construction and testing of their innovative 'Cool Towers' or passive down-draft evaporative cooling systems. This energy-saving technology was initially developed here at the University of Arizona's Environmental Research laboratories and has been implemented into the curriculum by Dr. Nader Chalfoun. Professor Nader Chalfoun, Omar Youssef and GTA Rachelle Hornby coordinated this collaborative effort that allowed students to implement their theoretical learning outside the classroom into a real project. 

Contacts

Nader Chalfoun
chalfoun@email.arizona.edu
520-621-6740

  

Subscribe to The Studio

Sign up for CAPLA's monthly e-newsletter to get the latest news and events, insights from faculty and leadership, profiles of students and alumni and more.

Subscribe Now

Latest CAPLA News, Projects and Profiles

Sandra Bernal Cordova, Altaf Engineer and Ladd Keith

CAPLA Faculty Awarded $250K to Start Heat Consortium

A team led by CAPLA’s Sandra Bernal Cordova, Altaf Engineer, and Ladd Keith has received a $250,000 grant over two years from the Office of Research and Partnerships through the inaugural Big Idea Challenge. Their project, the Heat and Health Resilience Innovation Consortium (HHRIC), aims to develop community-centered solutions to the growing threat of extreme heat. The team—comprising experts from across the University of Arizona—will focus on wearable biosensors, mobile cooling and care structures, health system algorithms, and AI-powered education tools. Their innovations, including the solar-powered CHILL-IT Health Oasis and telemedicine-equipped Kiosk Care, aim to improve public health and infrastructure resilience in Arizona and beyond.

Pele Kruse

Leading Women in Architecture Society: Pele Kruse ‘26 B.Arch

Pele Kruse, Class of 2026, is earning her Bachelor of Architecture as the first Samoan student in the program. Passionate about sustainable, community-focused design, she’s dedicated to uplifting underrepresented communities through architecture. As president of the Women in Architecture Society and a standout in studio projects, Pele is preparing to return home and help shape the future of architecture in American Samoa.

Clare and Kelly

Clare Robinson and Kelly Eitzen Smith honored with 2025 Darryl B. Dobras Awards

Clare Robinson and Kelly Eitzen Smith are the 2025 recipients of the Darryl B. Dobras Awards for Excellence. Robinson was recognized for her leadership in the School of Architecture, while Eitzen Smith was honored for her work supporting accreditation and assessment in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning.

See More