Swiss Building "Hairy" Skyscraper

[ashling]

http://www.realcleartechnology.com/lists/swiss-hairy-skyscraper/energy.html?state=stop

In the quest for clean energy, the Swedish architectural firm Belatchew Arkitekter has conceived of a rather striking solution: a building with undulating straws that can harvest wind energy. According to Belatchew, "the straws of the facade consist of a composite material with piezoelectric properties that can turn motion into electrical energy. Piezoelectricity is created when certain crystals' deformation is transformed into electricity. The technique has advantages when compared to traditional wind turbines since it is quite [sic] and does not disturb wildlife. It functions at low wind velocity since only a light breeze is sufficient for the straws to start swaying and generate energy."

[Paulie]

1. Looks like a giant bottle brush

How are they going to wash it? Going to look like a filthy bottle brush in half a decade.

[winter is coming]

2. Well, I guess no one will be angling for an office with a window. n/t

[Aristus]

3. Ladies and gentlemen: The World's Largest Sesame Street Monster!

[DFW]

4. Be careful

Neither the Swedes nor the Swiss will appreciate placing Stockholm in Switzerland

[nuxvomica]

8. I don't know where they got "Swiss" from

Good catch. Swedish company and the building is in Stockholm.
http://www.gizmag.com/strawscraper-piezoelectric-fiber-concept/27626/

[Demo_Chris]

5. That thing looks horrible/

[jakeXT]

6. I assume it will still drip after a rain shower. How about Birds or insects building their nests? /n

[lunatica]

7. It's fascinating.

I'd love to see it in motion. I'm always fascinated and appreciative when people think outside the box.

[NV Whino]

9. That could be pretty wild inside the building.

I would love to see this.

[ashling]

10. Email to Real Technology

Sent this today:

Mr. Scoblete.

I am writing to comment on the above titled web entry at http://www.realcleartechnology.com/lists/swiss-hairy-skyscraper/energy.html?state=stop .

I'm sure the technology is "real" clear, but the writing could really use some clarification. Unless this Swedish firm is building another "hairy" structure in, say, Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, etc., you have a problem here. You see, the Swedes live in Sweden - where this building is located - and the Swiss don't.

He emailed back that they fixed it