Multifunctional Solar Updraft Tower

Our team will be collaborating with:

           James Bucknam, PJHM Architects

           Brett Kaufman, VCA Structural

           Professor MJ, UCI Faculty Mentor

The goal is to design a building structure that incorporates an optimum environment for energy generation. Our design incorporates the solar updraft concept, which uses air movements to rotate turbines and generate energy. By optimizing the surface area of the structure, the sun is then used to heat the air causing it to move upward at an increasing velocity, therefore turning the turbines and generating energy. The structure will act as a multifunction facility, consisting of wind turbines for energy generation and occupiable space  (i.e. research facility, storage).