TerraMound: 3D-printed ceramic wall cools interiors via termite-inspired passive airflow

Rameshwari Jonnalagedda developed TerraMound, a 3D-printed ceramic wall system that mimics termite mound ventilation to cool interiors without air conditioning. Created for her Master's thesis in Design for Manufacture at the Bartlett School of Architecture – UCL, the project uses porous ceramic modules with branching internal channels to passively circulate air as outdoor conditions change. Ceramic's thermal properties help stabilize indoor temperatures. The prototype contributes to biomimetic research aiming to reduce building energy demands, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional HVAC systems. Tutor Arthur Prior supervised the project.