AEWORLDMAP.COM (3,300+ posts)

Building: Bahrain World Trade Center

Location: Manama, Bahrain

Completion Date: 2008

Architect: Atkins

Engineers: Atkins, Norwin A/S as turbine specialists and Ramboll A/S bridge engineering experts.

Contractor: Murray & Roberts; Nass

Developer: Mori Building Co.

AE Interest: Two towers are linked via three sky bridges each holding a 225KW wind turbine (95 ft in diameter) with a total of 675kW of wind power production. Aligned to the north, which is the direction from which air from the Persian Gulf blows in, the sail-shaped is designed to funnel wind through the gap creates a negative pressure zone behind the buildings that draws more air through the gap in order to accelerate wind passing through the turbines by up to 30%. The shape also redirects wind gusts hitting the tower by up to 45 degrees off center so that they hit the turbines at a nearly perpendicular angle for optimal electricity generation. 11% to 15% of the towers’ total power consumption is provided.