WIND TURBINE TO LANDMARK
13 Jan 2020
Prototype 2030 has proposed two projects titled Windwords and Windswitch, which would see the transformation of wind turbines into landmarks. By making this transformation, it is hoped that public support would rise for encouraging a future with wind power.
Prototype 2030 is an international design collective that aims to demonstrate how design can play a vital role in the fight against climate change. It was formed to provide attractive and aesthetic experiences to climate change solutions. “The climate solutions we need are known, but many are badly designed and unattractive, slowing down their adoption. Prototype 2030 wants to empower designers to use their skills for the change we need, and to convince business and government that creative skills are crucial for a fast and effective roll-out of climate change solutions.”
When new urban structures are built, architects, artists, engineers, accountants are involved alongside neighbourhood consultation and competitions. The collective asks “Why do we treat energy farms differently?” Windwords gives a look into what can be achieved, by capitalising on the “graphical potential of turbines”, using vertical lines to create iconic shapes and symbols – akin to the Hollywood sign – without compromising on the technology itself.
“Wind energy may be one of the great blessings of our time – so why aren’t we designing it right?” – Prototype 2030
With wind turbines among some of the largest constructions built in the world, and with limited adaptability when it comes to their structure, by focusing on their aesthetic capabilities while being considerate of the surrounding landscape, Prototype 2030 hopes to transform them into landmarks that will encourage tourism.
As each location and community is different, Prototype 2030 proposes that wind farms must be designed to “speak human”, to mean something to the people around them.
While Windwords tackles the aesthetic concerns, the second project, Windswitch tackles additional concerns such as noise, shadows, and shadow flicker that is created when the blades rotate in front of the sun. The Windswitch app is created on the principles that those who are affected of the location of a wind farm should be allowed a portion of the projects, and that they should be able to interact with and influence the turbines.
This proposal states that locals within the area of the windfarm should share in the profits created, based on the distance and position of their house to the turbines. The app would show how much profit they can partake in at any time – more wind, more profit.
In order to combat the issues of noise and shadow, Windswitch lets users take advantage of previous profit as credit in order to pause the turbines should the need arise.
The proposal for the wind turbines, in addition to various other proposals the collective has come up with, could be revolutionary for the creation of climate change solutions.
All images courtesy of Prototype 2030