This Kerala Café Stays 5°C Cooler Without a Single AC — Here’s How
In the scorching Indian summer, where even the breeze feels hot, imagine stepping into a café so cool you’d think it has air conditioning — except, it doesn’t.
Tucked away in Kochi’s Edapally, Fress Trees Garden & Café stays refreshingly cool without a single AC in sight.
Founded by Sabu Kelanthara, what started as a modest nursery has blossomed into one of Kerala’s most unique and sustainable hangouts. Surrounded by lush greenery, the café embraces a natural cooling method using terracotta, pots, and plants — and it’s working wonders.
Instead of conventional air conditioning, the café uses an ingenious terracotta cooling system. A metal frame filled with terracotta pots, recycled water, and strategically placed fans brings down indoor temperatures by nearly 5°C. It’s a traditional, eco-friendly method that keeps the space comfortable and cool even during peak summer.
The design of the café is a love letter to nature. No trees were cut down during construction. Artificial rain showers water the nursery, and waterfalls flow using recycled water. Every element, from the greenery to the gentle sounds of falling water and chirping birds, invites visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature.
At a time when cities are battling extreme heat with ever-increasing energy consumption, Fress Trees shows that cooling sustainably is not just possible, but beautiful.
Would you like to see terracotta cooling adopted more widely?
Edited by Khushi Arora
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