We are CoolBricks.
The Future of Affordable Housing
Rooted in Traditional Building Practices and Natural Materials.
VISION
We’re Changing the Way the World Thinks About Mud Houses
We aim to revolutionise the affordable housing market in the Global South by re-inventing the earthen home.
Our mission is to provide the bottom of the pyramid with affordable housing solutions that are truly low-cost, safe and 100% circular.
PRODUCT
CoolBricks are 100% natural, bio-stabilized earthen bricks based on active ingredients derived from cow-dung.
FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
The key ingredients of CoolBricks are earth (mud), active ingredients derived from cow dung and a mix of additional biopolymers to optimize the formula. This mixture is compressed into a block, which results in a neat looking product. The same mixture can also be used for the mortar to further create cost advantages for our clients. The blocks are not fired and contain no cement, thereby making it truly 100% recyclable and environment-friendly.
FOR THE SOCIETY
Our CoolBricks production and building system is based on bolstering the local supply chain. We do this by valorising and upcycling locally found materials and by training, empowering, and hiring local masons and workers. We expect to have a positive impact on agricultural farms that can earn extra income by processing cow-dung waste.
PARADIGM SHIFT IN PERCEPTION
The use of indigenous and local material for construction is a traditional practice that is rooted in many cultures globally. However, over the last decades, the use of local material is declining in favour of fired bricks and concrete. With our aesthetic and long-lasting CoolBrick houses, we want to reignite trust in local and natural materials, and therefore, influence building code and policies in favour of natural materials.
WHY COOLBRICKS
Innovation driven by scientific research and practical understanding.
The science behind CoolBricks was developed at TU Delft in The Netherlands, where it was upscaled from a 5cm block to a free standing wall. Our team has unique expertise in biological binders for earthen bricks, especially those related and suited to cow-dung. We combine unique
scientific expertise with business acumen and conceptual creativity, to innovate beyond the current boundaries in the affordable housing market.
CoolBricks vs. Fired Bricks
20%
STRONGER
50%
CHEAPER
5000$
FOR 30SQM HOUSE
95%
LESS CARBON EMISSIONS
INDUSTRY
Our
Partners
We work with various partners across multi-disciplinary fields for research, innovation, design and execution. We are always on the look out for new and local talent in Uganda to collaborate with us.
RESEARCH
DESIGN
ON THE GROUND
MEDIA
News &
Events
Stay tuned for the latest updates to know what's happening with CoolBricks!
MAY 2023
CoolBricks WINS The Make It Circular Challenge by What Design Can Do!
We’re thrilled to announce that our project has been named one of 13 winners in the #MakeitCircularChallenge by What Design Can Do + IKEA Foundation!
APRIL 2023
CoolBricks Nominated For The Make It Circular Challenge by What Design Can Do
We’re excited to share that CoolBricks has been nominated for the #MakeitCircularChallenge by @whatdesigncando + @IKEAFoundation!
THIS IS US
Dedication.
Creativity.
Passion.
We build on unique expertise, skills and experiences across various disciplines. We have a strong blend of soft skills where analytic capabilities, creativity and operational follow-through come together.
Our diverse backgrounds from India, The Netherlands and Uganda are a valuable combination with the common thread being our strong motivation to build a successful and impactful venture in affordable housing.
Lead researcher - Uganda
Ampereza Ankunda
Ampereza holds a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and is the driving force behind the research team at CoolBricks Uganda. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, he is leading efforts to produce and enhance CoolBricks tailored to the unique needs of the Ugandan context.
Construction manager
Sekabira Muhammed
Sekabira has great experience within the construction sector. He leads the mobilization and construction of our CoolBrciks projects.
Low-cost Housing
Uday Jain
A civil engineer by training, Uday has worked at the grassroots focusing on affordable and environmentally sensitive housing solutions for marginalised communities in disaster-affected areas and slums.
General Manager
Puck de Bont
Puck is a professional with over 10 years of experience in business setup, growth modeling, and driving innovation. Passionate about driving sustainable impact for nature and people, Puck is focused on getting CoolBricks ready for its next growth level.
Material Expert
Yask Kulshreshtha
Yask Kulshreshtha received his PhD from TU Delft in the field of earth construction. He has developed water resistant unfired mud bricks using bio stabilisers, securing multiple grants for his research and execution
Visual Designer
Krithika Samavedula
Krithika is a multi-disciplinary designer with academic background in architecture. At CoolBricks she contributed to the early development of the brand through storytelling and design of website, branding, video content and digital communication materials.
Uganda Advisor
Julius Muyuni
Julius has over 15 years of community engagement in low income projects and has seen the challenge of low quality housing and the issues faced by low income earners in their journey to access affordable quality housing in Uganda.
Founder & CEO
Emile Smeenk
Emile Smeenk is an impact entrepreneur who focuses on developing new product and concepts in the built environment, that tackle both social and ecological challenges.
