On a small triangular plot on top of a small hill in central
Tokyo, Richard Rogers Partnership designed an office tower that makes
use of the wind as a source of energy. The characteristics of the site
- it’s unusual shape, the prevailing wind and the fact that a motorway
runs along the south side of the location - lead to a series of investigations
towards a total energy system, that may even be 100% self sufficient.
 Image of windtunnel tests of the tower |
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The main building block has a flat facade facing the motorway along the north side and a smooth curved facade facing south. This curve is shaped to encourage the wind to pass through a gap between the main building and a free-standing service tower. The prevailing wind is compressed and accelerated by the curve as it passes between the office and the service tower, thus driving wind turbines to provide power. Measurements show an increase of wind speeds of over two times can be expected. It is estimated that given a reasonable turbine efficiency of 50%, the turbines could generate enough power to service the building.
The service tower also works as a ventilation chimney under the action of sun and wind. The northern facade it patterned with clear glass, diffused glass and opaque panels to allow the light to enter where it is needed whilst insulating elsewhere. This flat facade as well as the heavy concrete structure absorbs heat and moderates the internal environment. The curved south facade is fully glazed and has a variable reactive shading system. Water around the basement is used to provide summer cooling and to warm cool air in during winter.
Initial calculations show that it is possible to make the Tomigaya project 100% self sufficient in terms of energy production. Unfortunately the project stopped in the design stage and hasn’t been build (yet).
with: Guy Battle, Chris Twinn and Chris McCarthy (Ove Arup Partners) and Mike Graham (Aeronautics Imperial College)
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