Downtown Portland project could be among the first urban buildings in the U.S. to rely on wind energ

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http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/11/19/story1.html

Friday, November 16, 2007

Downtown Portland project could be among the first urban buildings in the U.S. to rely on wind energy

Pursuit of power
Portland Business Journal - by Wendy Culverwell Business Journal staff writer
Rendering courtesy of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects

A building now under construction at Southwest 12th and Washington could become one of the first urban buildings in the nation to integrate wind energy in its design. A series of wind turbines will sit on the roof and generate a small portion of power -- about 1 percent -- the 22-story tower will use.

The building, dubbed "12W," is being built by Gerding Edlen Development Co. and will contain a mix of luxury apartments and several floors of office space. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP is designing the building and will move its corporate headquarters there in two years. ZGF's role as both designer and chief occupant give it a double incentive to design something memorable.

Construction of the world's first wind-integrated high-rise building started earlier this year at the twin tower Bahrain World Trade Center on the Arabian Coast. The Bahrain project consists of two 50-story sail-shaped towers with three graceful wind turbines suspended from bridges between them, like gems channel-set between two bands.

Until now, rooftop wind turbines have appeared more frequently in architectural renderings than in real life, said John Breshears, an associate partner and architect with ZGF. Breshears is working on the design for 12W and has tasked himself with determining if wind energy will work.

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