Dynamic Architecture has produced an outlandish concept design for a rotating tower that changes shape, generating large quantities of electricity from both wind and solar power in the process

The concept, by Italian architect Dr David Fisher, involves a central concrete core surrounded by 59 independently rotating levels. The tower, hosting 200 apartments, “will be constantly in motion changing its shape, will be able to generate electric
energy for itself as well as for other buildings”.

DA adds that “48 wind turbines fitted between each rotating floors as well as the solar panels positioned on the roof of the building will produce energy from wind and the sunlight, with no risk of pollution”.

The horizontal turbines “are simply inserted between the floors, practically invisible”, with no need for a pole or a concrete foundation. In addition, they are “at zero distance from the consumer, which makes maintenance easier”, says DA.

The first phase of construction would take about six months, with the central core, including static components such as staircases, lifts, plumbing, assembled on-site. However, the 12 self-contained individual units making up each floor would be prefabricated offsite, for reasons of cost, safety and quality control. The tower is built from the top down.

With 4,000 wind hours annually in Dubai, the turbines incorporated into the building “can generate 1,200,000 kilowatt-hour of energy”, worth around
$7m, according to DA.

Each turbine would produce 0.3MW electrical output, enough for 50 families, so that just four turbines would power all 200 flats, leaving surplus output from the other 44. Even on a conservative basis, assuming average wind speeds in Dubai of only 16km/h and eight turbines needed to serve the energy needs of the tower, there would be surplus power for export from 40 turbines. This would still be enough to power five other skyscrapers of the same size.

DA points out that “the modern design of the building and the carbon fibre special shape of the wings take care of the acoustics issues”. It adds that “producing that much electric energy without any implication on the aesthetic aspect of the building is a revolutionary step in tapping alternative energy sources”, and that energy produced “will have a positive impact on the environment and economy”. There is as yet no date for construc

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