going forAIR

Every window becomes the air filter for the city

"going forAIR" transforms the traditional window frame into a passive air filtration system, improving indoor air quality without consuming electricity. Utilizing the Coanda effect and Corning® DuraTrap® AT filters, this design naturally removes airborne particles before they enter living spaces. By turning windows into active participants in urban air purification, going forAIR promotes sustainability in architectural design.

🏆

2021 Corning Innovative Application Competition

Corning Innovative Application Competition

Merit Award

Merit Award 2021

Problem statement

The vicious cycle of air pollution and energy consumption

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is a leading cause of premature death and disease. The European Environment Agency (EEA) identifies PM2.5 as one of the most significant environmental health risks.

While traditional air purifiers can effectively filter pollutants, they consume significant electricity, further contributing to environmental degradation. To break this cycle, going forAIR offers a sustainable alternative—an air filtration system that operates naturally, without relying on electric power.

Design approach

Reimagining windows as passive air filters

People spend most of their lives at home, school, and the office — places that share a common feature: buildings. And every building has windows.

Rather than introducing entirely new systems, we saw an opportunity to enhance what already exists. Windows serve as the primary gateway for air circulation in indoor spaces, making them an ideal integration point for passive filtration. By leveraging this essential architectural element, we can effectively prevent harmful particles from entering living and working environments without relying on additional energy-consuming devices.

Development

Harnessing the Coanda effect for passive airflow

Instead of using electric fans, going forAIR leverages the Coanda effect, a principle in fluid dynamics where airflow follows a curved surface. This natural redirection enables precise airflow control, guiding particulate matter toward the filter without mechanical intervention.

What is Coanda effect?

The Coanda effect refers to a fluid jet's tendency to remain attached to a surface, regardless of its shape (Tritton, Physical Fluid Dynamics, 1977).

How going forAIR works:

Guided airflows

The curved frame structure naturally directs incoming air along a designed path.

Dual-layer filtration

The first layer [a] captures larger PM10 particles.

The second layer [b] further filters out PM2.5, ensuring cleaner indoor air.

Reversible filtration

The symmetrical window design filters air in both directions, improving indoor and outdoor air quality.

User Interaction

Easy maintenance & sustainability

The filter substrate can be removed from the side of frame, washed with water, and reused.

At the end of its lifespan, the substrate can be recycled and remanufactured into new filtration materials.

A manual switch at the bottom of the frame allows users to stop airflow when needed, such as during extreme weather conditions.

Next steps

From product impact to implementation strategy

Product impact

The system starts with filtering air, where the going forAir window frame captures airborne particles without relying on electronic filtration devices. By reducing reliance on electronic devices, this solution minimize the need for traditional air purifiers, leading to lower energy consumption.

As a result, buildings equipped with going forAir contribute to energy savings, also reducing the overall carbon footprint. Ultimately, this cycle results in fresh air, improving indoor and outdoor air quality in urban environments.