Sustainability is the keyword in today’s world. Increasing population, ever-growing demands and limited resources are facing off more than ever before. As the world’s economy grows so do needs and demands.
Space constraints add to the issue with all of us jostling to be accommodated. Since our planet isn’t getting any bigger, we need to find ways to live in this limited space. As such, researchers and architects are trying to come up with novel ways by which the ever growing population can be accommodated without using up too much space. Governments have also entered the arena and have floated tenders and even competitions for designers to come up with interesting and sustainable concepts. One of these is the Tower of Power, designed by NL Architects, an Amsterdam designer company. Proposed to be 300 meters in height, the tower will make use of wind energy to power its needs. 2,000 rotors will work together to produce around 8 MW of energy.
One of two designs submitted by NL Architects for the Taiwan Tower Competition, the Tower of Power is an attempt to integrate beauty with sustainable technology. It also aims to fit in as many aspects of functionality as possible. From a distance, the tower resembles a jeweled piece of work. Taking inspiration from the exoskeletons of certain creatures, the ‘shell’ envelops an interior that will be able to house a lobby, observatory, offices, parking lot, conference center and museum. The outer façade itself is stunning with a net-like design. The interwoven pattern gives the whole structure a very intricate and delicately beautiful look which will set it apart from the other staid-looking buildings.
What is unique is that each unit of the tower has been designed to fit the shape of each functionality. For instance, tall spaces separate each unit into which eddy wind turbines will be placed. The choice of the eddy wind turbine complements the design of the façade to create a free-flowing appearance.
Taiwan is so determined to promote the use of renewable energy sources that it has allotted billions of dollars to this effect. In fact, the government hopes to increase the domestic renewable energy sector by 8 fold. If successful, this will greatly impact the island’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The combination of a windmill and an observation tower is a perfect testament to mankind’s creativity and is proof that green functionality and aesthetics can be integrated without compromising on the other. The eddy turbine is silent so visitors won’t need to worry about any racket.
The use of the wind to power the planet has been increasing over the years. Its potential to meet our energy needs is simply staggering. Cost effective in the long run and completely clean, it is the answer to our energy problems. Like the sun, the wind cannot deplete itself and will last so long as our planet does.
Via: evolo