The goal of the Icebox Challenge is to build a structure capable of holding one ton of ice for an entire month without the use of any cooling or air conditioning systems. This initiative promotes energy efficiency by showcasing the power of passive, sustainable building design. This year marks Concordia’s first time participating in the challenge and the first time it will be hosted in Montreal, with the structure set to be installed in the Old Port during July.
The Icebox Challenge is a public demonstration where two small structures are built: one using standard building code, and the other following Passive House principles including high-performance insulation, airtight construction, solar shading, and minimal thermal bridging etc Each structure contains a large block of ice. After four weeks under the summer sun at Montreal’s Old Port, the remaining ice is weighed. It is a chance for students to apply classroom learning to a real-world project that promotes climate awareness.
IceBox Challenge Around the World
Join a worldwide movement. The IceBox Challenge has taken place in countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Sweden, showcasing innovative energy-efficient designs across the globe.
THE CRYOCUBZ
The CryoCubz are a team of Concordia students who took on the IceBox Challenge to to spark more interest in Passive House practices, energy-efficient design, and the role buildings play in climate solutions.
OUR 2025 PARTICIPATING TEAM
LEADS
Kira Dias | Team Lead
Ana Victoria Palma | Deputy Team Lead
Lana Dias | Marketing and Finance Lead
Daniel Ge | Visual Arts Lead
June Aldinucci | Sponsorship Lead
Amaranth Murugan | Thermal Analysis Lead
Spencer Campagnolo | Design and Construction Lead
DIRECTORS
Lisa- Marie Merten | Director of Marketing
Victor Hugo Juca | Director of Sponsorship and Construction
Christa Ngutete Rubayiza | Director of Sponsorship
Dania Behairy | Director of Design and Life cycle analysis
Kenyon Connell | Director of Design and Construction
Pamela Merline Clervil | Director of marketing and sponsorships
Laura Raimova | Director of Design and Life cycle analysis
Paige Alina Kubecki | Director of Thermal and Life cycle analysis
Boshra Askari | Director of Design and Construction
Gabriel Elbaz-Comtois | Director of Construction
Brandon Franchi | Director of Construction
Matis Garrigues | Director of Construction
OUR RESULTS
OUR ICE BOX RETAINED 47.3% OF THE ICE !!!
This July, during one of the hottest periods on record in Montreal, our team sealed 825 kg of ice inside our structure at the Old Port and left it untouched for three weeks. The design relied entirely on passive strategies, including precise building orientation to limit solar exposure, a white reflective roof with extended overhangs for shading, natural aeration to reduce heat buildup, and high-performance insulation using multiple layers of rock wool. A triple-glazed window further minimized heat transfer while allowing visibility. Despite the extreme heat, 47.3% of the ice remained, resulting in the highest ice retention among all teams.
ICE BOX CHALLENGE GALLERY
Concordia Society for Civil Engineering 