While petroleum companies frenetically expand into the research and development of alternative energy sources, pencil-wielding architects have adopted a more elegant solution to the world's energy woes. Naseem Tarawnah considers the newest "architechtural playground."
Without a doubt, one of the most dominant issues that plagues the world today is that of energy, or rather the lack thereof. The search for alternative sources of energy has been ongoing in various circles that range from governments to big business. The former tends to examine the issue from a fairly macroeconomic perspective, in what it hopes will be best for the country, while the latter strives to leverage the world's energy conundrum towards corporate profit. However, both parties are interested in similar objectives: a source of energy that is cheap, clean, safe, and efficient, but most importantly able to decrease their reliance on finite natural resources and, indirectly, their dependence on the provisions of other nations that have them in abundance.
Recently, an unlikely participant has joined the search for alternative energy sources. Architecture has moved in to the void of debate and discussion to provide a practical solution to our energy needs, and it does this in the most aesthetically appealing way.
The 68-storey Burj Al-Taqa (Energy Tower) in Dubai, for instance, is one building that aims to produce 100% of its own energy. When completed, the skyscraper will come with a golden 60-meter wind turbine stationed on its roof as well as arrays of solar cells totaling 161,459 square feet, with an additional island of solar panels floating nearby; together they will provide all the building's electricity needs. The building takes on a cylindrical shape to expose as little surface area to the sun as architecturally possible. Specially designed windows using a new generation of vacuum glazing will keep the external heat out.
Winds that wrap around the tower will suck the building's interior air out while a duct system will bring in fresh air, pre-cooled by seawater. Beneath the building, several large cooling units will lower the temperature to 18 degrees Celsius while also cooling water that runs through pipelines lying beneath every floor. With zero emissions, Burj Al-Taqa will become the 22nd tallest building in the world. Elsewhere in Dubai, self-sufficient rotating buildings are also emerging. The $109 million Time Residences building will rotate 360 degrees throughout the course of one week by utilizing stored solar energy to provide energy for the mechanisms used to turn it. Meanwhile, the Twirling Tower will be yet another rotating wonder for Dubai. With a wind turbine situated between every floor of the 68-storey building, it will potentially produce enough energy to fuel itself as well as 10 other buildings just like it.
A continent over, away from the architectural playground that has become Dubai, a solar thermal power plant is on its way to powering the entire city of Seville in southern Spain. At the center is a 40-storey high tower with a field of 600 solar panels below pointing straight at it, making the white-concrete tower glow as the intense reflected sunlight illuminates water vapor and dust in the air.
The panels target water pipes atop the tower, heating them to a boil and producing enough steam to drive turbines. The first commercial solar power station in Europe currently generates enough electricity to power 6,000 homes but will aim to provide all the electric needs of Seville's 600,000 residents.
Architecture has a way of being appealing in theory. From diagrams and models to ideas with potential, they have a seductive way of drawing in the viewer. However, the practicality of architecture, specifically with regards to providing efficient alternative energy and a high degree of self-sufficiency in a world where energy needs are always increasing, is a whole other matter. Nevertheless, perhaps architecture can save this energy-reliant world.
With proposed skyscrapers and towers on the horizon, Amman now enters a new phase in its architectural history. Coupled with the increasing population of the city, one can only expect energy demands to increase. While the recent alternative of nuclear energy has come to the forefront of solutions and ambitions for the Kingdom, perhaps architecture can still play a vital role in curbing those demands and provide a safer alternative to the alternative. One can only hope that in a country where energy sources are as rare as natural resources, developers as well as the government will encourage eco-friendly buildings that will reduce costs for both.
© Jordan Business 2007
