Strawscraper

The Swedes Belatchew Arkitekter present an innovative concept that aims to transform a skyscraper into a powerful energy generator.

This project is called STRAWSCRAPER and is part of an intervention in a tower in Stockholm, Sweden, involving the building exterior with numerous polymer straws undulating at the wind, producing energy.

Each polymer straw involves a piezoelectric technology core capable of generating electricity through mechanical pressure. This way, air movement and pressure at different altitudes along the skyscrapers façade contribute to generate energy. 

This concept includes a wind tower at the top of the building, extending along 16 floors, restoring the original height planned for the building, by architect Henning Larsen. The project also features a sky lounge and a lookout platform on the rooftop with panoramic views over the city of Stockholm.

This application of piezoelectric technology opens the way for the application of new methods of generating wind power by eliminating factors which limit its use, since these small straws may be applied in different surfaces, replacing bulky and noisy technologies such as wind turbines that are not adapted to dense urban environments.

This original concept composed by thousands of straws along the facade, moving under the wind, will make the building appears to be "breathing", as explained by the architects, changing its appearance throughout the day, according with the direction and intensity of the wind, and at night when illuminated with changing colors.

Find out more at: http://belatchew.com/