The recent building boom in the Middle East has given rise to some of the world’s most extravagant and innovative buildings. The latest proposed tower to sprout up among the ever-changing skyline is the Burj Al-Taqa Energy Tower for the Middle East. Designed by Eckhard Gerber and cutting a 322 meter high silhouette, this commercial high rise will produce zero emissions and use sun, wind and water to create all of its own energy.
This state-of-the-art tower design comes from German architect Eckhard Gerber who envisions final builds in Riyadh, Dubai and Bahrain. Stuttgart-based engineering firm DS-Plan has calculated the building’s technical capabilities.
The 68-story structure will use natural air conditioning based on Iranian wind towers which draws wind in and down to cool interiors. Gerber’s cylindrical design uses this principal to ventilate the tower. A central atrium will provide fresh air inflow. The incoming air will be pre-cooled with seawater, dispersed throughout the building and ventilated through a double-skin glass façade. Tubing throughout the ceilings will run cool water for additional radiant thermal comfort.
Solar gain control is dependent on a new type of vacuum glazing that is still in development but expected to be over 60% more efficient than current technology. A rotating solar shield covering one sixth of the building circumference will provide shade at the highest incidences and use an integrated photovoltaic array to capture the sun’s energy for electricity.
And yes, that is a wind turbine on top. The Darrieus-type rotor, together with two more roof-mounted photovoltaic arrays and a floating array in the nearby sea, will equip the Burj Al-Taqa to meet its energy needs. Any excess electricity will applied to generating more energy – extracting hydrogen from seawater for fuel cells.
Gerber’s ambitious projections for the Burj Al-Taqa depend on unproven techniques and untested materials. However, if the Energy Tower for the Middle East lives up to expectations, it will require 60 percent less energy than comparable buildings, produce no CO2 emissions and, from a lofty height at number 22 on the list of the world’s tallest buildings, can boast complete independence from non-renewable energy.
+ Gerber Architekten
+ Burj Al-Taqa at Der Spiegel
Every time I see a post on this middle east tower I read it as middle earth tower, very tolkeine-sk
though i’d share
[...] than other comparable buildings, and produce zero CO2 emissions. You can read the whole story here. via: [...]
Wow these are some great photos… where did you get them? I have been looking for info on the new Burj Dubai, I am facinated with the sheer scale of the project. So far I found one site that has some videos, and pictures here:
http://topictrends.com/topic/Burj_Dubai
[...] the Middle East. Designed by Eckhard Gerber and cutting a 322 meter high silhouette…’read more | digg [...]
I recently read an article on the “BURJ AL-TAQA” tower expressing deep concern how the architects and engineers dredged the waterfront destroying the natural eco-system. Is that really being “GREEN” or “ECO-FRIENDLY”, give me a break!!!
Even though this building is not truely an “eco-friendly” building, it is still a aesthetically pleasing structure:)
Middle East is a big place, do u know which country will this be in? its like saying a proposed tower for Europe.
[...] Get the whole story here… This entry was posted on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 5:12 pm and is filed under le Chat Marchet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]
lots of great eco-friendly elements and precesses that the completed building includes.
I just hope that the building process and material selection reflects this commitment to sustainability, making it a truly remarkable structure.
[...] Full Story [...]
[...] read more | digg story By Ben, 10/19/2007, 3:03 pm o’clock [...]
barraymian: “This state-of-the-art tower design comes from German architect Eckhard Gerber who envisions final builds in Riyadh, Dubai and Bahrain”. 1st sentence, 2nd paragraph…
[...] leave you with an article about a zero energy tower being proposed for building in the Middle East. This tower would use 100% renewable energy [...]
[...] via Inhabitat [...]
but what about the water? does this building have a desal plant all of it’s own? they use an enormous amount of energy, i’d imagine a lot more than could be generated on the roof.
and i worry about who builds these buildings, there have been some really disturbing reports of Indian and Pakistani workers being treated like slaves to build these shimmering towers of wealth. it ain’t sustainable of you don’t pay your workers a living wage.
still, let’s hope this is another small step in the right direction.
[...] This state-of-the-art tower design comes from German architect Eckhard Gerber who envisions final builds in Riyadh, Dubai and Bahrain. Stuttgart-based engineering firm DS-Plan has calculated the building’s technical capabilities. The recent building boom in the Middle East has given rise to some of the … [...]
[...] read more | digg story [...]
lookey nicey…. plane fly well into glass tower. i can fly plane. i good at it. me like idea. you maybe help me? tada-thankyou
Zero-Energy Tower for the Middle East – would be interesting to review feasibility study of the project, in other words how many millions are needed to get Zero.
i hope we will approach sustainablity in all manners in UAE
Hey would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
I really like the free schooling idea because people that have financial problems would have a chance to sent their kids to school