BREATHE BRICK . Project led by Carmen Trudell. 2016

CMU designed to passively filter air using cyclone technology. Breathe Brick modules are connected by a coupler unit that aids in collecting dirt and dust particles, protects the cyclone and helps to align the modules during construction. A drawer found at the base of the wall collects the particles and can be easily emptied. In wind tunnel tests, the Breathe Brick was able to collect 30% of fine particles (2.5 microns and smaller, comparable to smoke) and 100% of course particles (10 microns or larger, comparable to dust). A Breathe Brick wall can operate as a facade system, or as a structural gravity and lateral load bearing wall.