It's in the concept phase right now, but given the pace of development in Dubai (as well as Bahrain and Riyadh), the Burj Al-Taqa could be coming soon to a desert lot near you (if you're in the Middle East), and principles of which could applied to office towers elsewhere.
It's the work of German architectural firm Gerber Architekten International that, if built, would be a skyscraper that produces 100% of its own energy. It does so by harnessing energy from the sun via a rotating solar shield and providing ventilation driven by the wind. Hanging gardens on the perimeter and in a central atrium help disperse chilled fresh air.
Whether or not each specific idea (or even any given building) is executed, we applaud the thinking. More of it, please.
written on Wednesday Oct 24, 2007
energy independent.
