UNStudio and Monopol Colors have created an extremely reflective white paint that can reduce the amount of heat buildings absorb and cool cities in the face of climate change.
By limiting the amount of light and therefore heat a building absorbs, the paint reduces the need for air-conditioning and the impact of urban heat islands.
Named The Coolest White, the paint developed by Dutch architecture studio UNStudio with Swiss paint manufacturer Monopol Colors, is part of an increasing trend for architects and designers to consider the impact of their work on the environment.
"It is undisputed that our cities are rapidly getting hotter, so we have to ask ourselves how we can stop this trend," said principal architect of UNStudio Ben van Berkel. "On the one hand, The Coolest White makes buildings more resilient, and on the other hand it can drastically reduce the urban heat load."
Paint will reduce heat absorbed by buildings
As The Coolest White reflects more of the sun's rays than other paints it can be used to protect buildings from excessive solar radiation, reduce the impact of urban heat islands and in turn the amount of energy required to cool down buildings internally.
UNStudio is hoping to use The Coolest White to cover an entire district in South East Asia.

The paint works on the principle that dark materials, which are used to construct many buildings, reflect less and absorb more heat from sunlight that lighter materials.
The reflectiveness...