Bahrain World Trade Center in a spin
The Bahrain World
Trade Center (BWTC) made history today as it pioneering wind turbines turned together for the first time.
The three 29mdameter turbine blades on Bahrain’s iconic landmark are the world’s first to be integrated into a commercial development, and are forecast to provide the equivalent of 11-15 per cent of the power for the two towers when fully operational.
The elliptical shaped towers act as aerofoils, funneling and accelerating the wind velocity between them. Exploiting the unobstructed prevailing onshore breeze from the adjacent Gulf coast to provide a renewable source of energy for the building.
The installation of the turbines involved collaboration between Atkins Architects and Engineers, and Norwin turbines specialists.
As well as the twin office towers the BWTC incorporates a high end boutique shopping centre, MODA Mall, and a five-star Sheraton Hotel.
The turbines are expected to operate approximately 50 per cent of the time.
“This was of course a first for Norwin as it was for the real estate world, and we truly have pushed the boundaries of environmental architecture with this project,” said Mr. Ole Sangill, Managing Partner of Norwin
“It is a testament to Bahrain that private developers are investing in sustainability and pioneering design, which is certainly the future of architecture as it shapes the planet in years to come.”
Mr. Simha LytheRao, Atkins Project Manager explained that the use of established technologies, including type-tested turbines with minimal modifications ensured that the additional cost incurred by incorporating turbines into the project was reduced to around 3.5 per cent of the overall project value, making it not only an environmentally responsible but also a financially viable venture.
Adapted from Popular Science Web Magazine, 8 April 2008

Centre commercial mondial du Bahrain dans une rotation
The Bahrain World
Le centre commercial (BWTC) a fait l'histoire