Kalbod Design Studio has unveiled the concept of Sandstorm Absorbent Skyscraper. In this project, the studio addresses sandstorms typical for Dubai (and the UAE, in general), a serious ecological issue slowing down or completely shutting down the city’s rhythm, polluting water and the air, and causing respiratory problems for citizens. The studio decided to study and channel this desert’s natural behaviour via architecture and provide a sustainable solution to it by combining creativity and technology.
As a result of the Skyscraper’s design process, a multi-functional area will be formed which not only improves Dubai’s weather conditions, but also helps reduce energy consumption. The area is supposed to be a research base with a focus on studying sandstorms so we will be able to provide more effective solutions in the future.
One of the goals of the studio was to place the Skyscraper where the sandstorms occur the most; this phenomenon was extensively studied before starting to design to control it and make use of it. The Absorbent Sand Storm Skyscraper project comprise 25 towers situated on the Dubai main route which will improve each other’s functionality. “The zoning will include residential use and research institutes for physics, aerospace, technology, biology, and medicine,” the team at Kalbod Design Studio says.
The Skyscraper’s design is inspired by its function — to deal with the sandstorms. Its main structure consists of two cavities which absorb the sand particles via magnetism. The electrical charge from the particles is removed in two stages. They enter the cavities and get attached to the smart panels inside the holes which open to a certain extent depending on the intensity of the storm). As the diameter of the soil particles is larger at a lower height, the lower cavity has a larger opening.
Considering sustainability of the greatest importance, the Kalbod studio plans to install thermal batteries in the Skyscraper’s facilities. The sand in the batteries will be heated up by solar energy: multiple solar panels are planned to be installed by each tower’s site. The batteries will be able to store energy for several months and provide power for the nearby buildings.
To get more information about the project, please visit its official web page.
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