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Stored Ice Remains Unrefrigerated for Two Decades

Montreal Students Succeed in Maintaining Over 300 KG of Ice Without Air Conditioning for 20 Days Amidst July's Heatwave, Highlighting Potential for Energy-Efficient Building Designs.

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Stored Ice unchilled for a span of twenty days
Stored Ice unchilled for a span of twenty days

Stored Ice Remains Unrefrigerated for Two Decades

Concordia and ÉTS Teams Tie in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge

In a scorching hot summer in Montreal, engineering students from Concordia University and École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) showcased their innovative skills in passive cooling and insulation at the Ice Box Challenge. The competition, held in the Old Port of Montréal, challenged teams to design energy-efficient tiny houses that could keep a block of ice from melting for as long as possible without using air conditioning or cooling systems [1][3][5].

Two teams, Cryo Cubz from Concordia University and HabiTek from ÉTS, participated in the event. Each team constructed a micro-building on the Old Port promenade, adhering to specific criteria such as building volume, installation of a window, material accessibility, and a maximum budget of $10,000 [6].

The Concordia team, led by June Aldinucci, used rock wool for insulation, while the ÉTS team opted for wood fiber panels and cellulose fiber, and ÉTS also incorporated a green roof [2]. Both teams demonstrated creativity and technical prowess in their design strategies, focusing on optimising insulation quality, airtightness, reflective surfaces, ventilation, and thermal mass to slow ice melt [1][3].

After 20 days of extreme heat, with temperatures above 30°C eight times during the event, the results were announced. The Concordia team preserved 386.4 kg (47.3%) of ice in their building, while the ÉTS team managed to preserve 333.8 kg (40.9%) of ice in theirs [4].

Sébastien Jacquet, captain of the ÉTS team, stated that a better insulated building means using smaller, less energy-intensive air conditioning devices in both winter and summer [7]. June Aldinucci noted that the results demonstrate the possibility of building more efficient buildings [5].

In the end, the juries declared a tie in the Ice Box Challenge. The Ice Box Challenge's primary goal is to demonstrate that the building codes adopted in all countries are not sufficient, and we can easily do better [8]. Sébastien Jacquet indicated that the Ice Box Challenge could return for a second edition next year or in the years to come [9].

Improving the efficiency of buildings is a crucial step towards becoming more resilient in the face of climate change, during power outages, and in the context of increasing electricity needs [1]. The Ice Box Challenge in Montreal successfully showcased how passive cooling can be an effective solution even in extreme heat conditions without relying on power-intensive AC systems [1][5].

References: [1] CBC Montreal. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie for top spot in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ice-box-challenge-concordia-ets-1.5649285

[2] The Gazette. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/concordia-ets-teams-tie-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge

[3] Montreal Gazette. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/concordia-ets-teams-tie-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge

[4] The Concordian. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://theconcordian.com/2025/07/15/concordia-ets-teams-tie-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge/

[5] Global News. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8352673/concordia-ets-teams-tie-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge/

[6] Montreal Gazette. (2025, July 1). Concordia, ÉTS teams to compete in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/concordia-ets-teams-to-compete-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge

[7] CBC Montreal. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie for top spot in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ice-box-challenge-concordia-ets-1.5649285

[8] The Concordian. (2025, July 1). Concordia, ÉTS teams to compete in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://theconcordian.com/2025/07/01/concordia-ets-teams-to-compete-in-montreals-ice-box-challenge/

[9] CBC Montreal. (2025, July 15). Concordia, ÉTS teams tie for top spot in Montreal's Ice Box Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ice-box-challenge-concordia-ets-1.5649285

  1. The design strategies used by the Concordia and ÉTS teams during the Ice Box Challenge in Montreal, which focused on insulation quality, airtightness, reflective surfaces, ventilation, and thermal mass, have significant implications for health-and-wellness as they can lead to more energy-efficient buildings and minimize the need for power-intensive air conditioning systems.
  2. In incorporating rock wool, wood fiber panels, cellulose fiber, and a green roof, the Concordia and ÉTS teams showcased their understanding of environmental-science and science principles as they aimed to create energy-efficient tiny houses that could reduce climate-change impacts by preserving ice for longer periods without relying on cooling systems.
  3. The innovative approach towards passive cooling displayed by Concordia and ÉTS teams in the Ice Box Challenge offers potential solutions for the fitness-and-exercise community, as it promotes healthier indoor environments by minimizing the negative effects of warmer temperatures and power outages on both personal wellbeing and workout routines.

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