NFTS, new media art, and artists: Clara Che Wei Peh unpacks Art Dubai Digital
by Rahul KumarMar 24, 2023
•make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend
by Anmol AhujaPublished on : Feb 05, 2021
Literally speaking, the term “squall” refers to a sudden storm with strong winds. Aptly named in that context, the Squall Tower combines modern, signature skyscraper aesthetics with a unique, self-sustaining functionality. The parametric skyscraper proposes an interesting design fusion: it derives both, its form and function, elementally from a windmill or a rotating vertical wind turbine, machines that have been around for decades now. Harbingering that inspiration into the modern era of smart buildings using sophisticated parametric tools of design, the Squall Tower not only looks at emulating that mechanism and make to generate its own electricity, it looks to do that in acute style. Rather than a single rotating element or a group of those, the design looks to have the building rotated along a central axis in order to power a turbine at its base to generate electricity.
The concept of BAPS (Buildings as Power Stations) has been a ploy in the realm of sustainability and the impact our buildings have on our ecosystems for long now, with the Bahrain World Trade Centre recently being in the public eye for having incorporated a trifecta of rotating windmill rotors on its façade. Though currently at the visualisation and conceptual development stage, the Squall Tower that twists also ploy to incorporate a daring aesthetic.
Held together by a central glossy, tree-like branching spine, the building comprises three helical, twisting masses clad in glazing. Each of the branches holds what can be called a distinct “floor plate”, that is in vertical succession connected to other floors and bound to a rotating base. In essence, the rotating tower that easily lends itself to the commercial category of buildings can facilitate changing views of the stunning Dubai skyline, apart from, of course, generating power in theory.
The twisting, ribbon like masses also lend an essential functional angle to the design of the building. As opposed to planar fans/rotors on windmills that are highly dependent on wind direction, Squall Tower’s segmental helix allows it to rotate at a constant speed irrespective of wind direction, completing one rotational round in 48 hours. Further optimised, I see the potential for such a building to not only be self-sustaining in terms of energy generation and usage, but to actually have a negative carbon footprint, as is the need of the hour, giving back surplus power to city blocks around them. The possibilities are endless, but there remains a bridge to be crossed between design and execution before something as ruminative but fanciful as the Squall Tower might become a reality.
Name: Squall Tower
Location: Dubai, UAE
Time taken for conception of design: 2 months
Design Team: Hayri Atak, Kaan Kılıçdağ, Büşra Köksal, Kübra Türk
Stage: Concept Project
by Almas Sadique Mar 29, 2023
Vltavská Underground is an underground space for sports, recreation and food in Prague, Czech Republic.
by Jerry Elengical Mar 27, 2023
STIR interviews the author of Mies van der Rohe: The Collective Housing Collection about Mies' pioneering exploits in urban housing, for the late architect’s 137th birth anniversary.
by Anmol Ahuja Mar 27, 2023
Designed over the site of an abandoned 1950s petrol station in London, the building borrows its visual vocabulary from nearby railway arches and housing complexes.
by Pooja Suresh Hollannavar Mar 25, 2023
Antwerp-based Studio Okami creates a modern home wrapped in reflective aluminium, glass, and concrete.
make your fridays matter
SUBSCRIBEDon't have an account?
Sign UpOr you can join with
Already signed up?
LoginOr you can join with
Please select your profession for an enhanced experience.
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the code sent to
What do you think?