Project - University Assigned Competition
Location - San Francisco
Type of Project - Mixed Use, 50% Residential
Design Approach - To use the shape of the building to increase wind on the leading edge of the airfoils, where wind turbines are installed to generate electricity.
Drawings - Plan and perspective

Currently this is a group project with three other students, this is my concept model, I'm sure it will change when I meet with the other students but I'm wondering if any buildings that use the airfoil principle actually exist. I've had trouble finding case studies. And if they dont exist, if this principle can actually be used.

The two towers are themselves airfoils acting in opposition to one another to counter the lift created by wind rushing on the outside. The towers are connected with three additional horizontal wings which act as hallways connecting the two towers.

Perspective

An excellent idea but...

A student (an A+ student) tried this in our final year and found out that you really need to consult engineers who know what they're talking about in order to lend credibility and realism to your design - it's not as simple as one would first think.

Fortunately we had a couple of in-house engineers who could advise on the matter and it had a huge impact on his design. My advice would be to go and speak to your engineering lecturers (if you have some in the school) early on so you don't run into any surprises at your crits. :cheers:

Looking forward to seeing it develop - looks like you're off to a good start.

I like the theory, so the pressure on the outside leading edges is less ? So air will move from the inside out through the building and turbines ? This would also be a great ventilation system as well . I can't say ive heard of this i suppose its a bit like those wind towers in the middeleast or a chimney in principal. I just wonder what sort of constant wind speed would be viable. Also could there be any adjustment into the wind ? I think a turntable could be a bit over the top but maybe the outside edges could have flaps. Nice so far ! :clap:

One of my first questions is: does the angle of attack effect the efficiency the pressure delta to the point that the wind must be perfectly aligned to generate the needed work?

Maybe put the buildings on a digitally controlled lazy susan. :wondering

Oh sorry Chedda, I see you pointed it out and same suggestion.. :cheers:

I like the theory, so the pressure on the outside leading edges is less ? So air will move from the inside out through the building and turbines ? This would also be a great ventilation system as well . I can't say ive heard of this i suppose its a bit like those wind towers in the middeleast or a chimney in principal. I just wonder what sort of constant wind speed would be viable. Also could there be any adjustment into the wind ? I think a turntable could be a bit over the top but maybe the outside edges could have flaps. Nice so far ! :clap:

i think thee turbine ideas havve been investigated a long time ago by richard rogers... i have seen a model of a project proposal of his once

Lazy susan or adjustable facade?

Could the facade (in this case possibly a separate external louvered skin) or parts of it be controlled to enable adjustment to make more efficient the shape for varied wind directions?

It is a dangerous solution, in case you get higher that expected winds!
The telecomunications tower here has two buidings conected in a simmilar way, and a recent hurricane (a mild one by international standards, but unusuall here) generated a funnel between the buidings smashing debris and even a car into the facade!

The premise of this competition is supposed to be very innovative ideas, whether or not they are entirely feasable doesnt seem to be a restriction. Although we have been encoraged to talk with engineers to see if aspects of this concept could be incorporated into a final design. I have thought about louvers at the base of the airfoil similar to an airplanes wing adjustment for tweaking the air speed near the turbines.

Unfortunately my design team and I have decided against this concept as it resembles a project completed last year which was using two towers with wind turrents as the main power source for the building.

I'll keep you updated as our design changes.

Cobb -
Was wondering about this air foil that J. Cousteau's has on his ship, the Alcyone. Pretty cool. Might be something that could integrate into the building. NOt exactly sure how it works. :wondering

Good luck.

http://www.windinholland.tk/ click on the white textlink at the top
http://www.inholland.nl/index.html?folder=1224&envelope=1357&item=439


Sorry, it's in Dutch.
The windturbines and a few solar cellen in this design should profide 50% of the energie of the building.
It's the holl and the cuts of corners that gives it the extra boost of wind.

Although I didn't see any wind power in the origional design, that seems to be the theme of the conversation. I too wonder how an airfoil would effect wind power but there is, as someone has mentioned, the danger of what would happen in a high wind situation. I think it would be surmountable and surely dealt with if the project were to be constructed.
I think it's great that folks put out incomplete ideas. It is inspiring to us all.

This link may help you. I used this soft to design multihull daggerboards and windsurf fins.
http://www.ctaz.com/~kelcomp/airfoils.htm