Conservation of energy has become not merely a major challenge, but a crucial necessity: adapting to climate change and environmental conditions now comes in front row when it’s time to decide to develop any project. Architect Daniel Caven, from the Illinois Institute of Technology, has been designing and structuring a building that is deeply in line with this tendency: his Relief Tower is not only a celebration of futuristic architecture, but also an ambitious mission of saving energy that will render this building completely autonomous in terms of power generation. As a matter of fact, the Relief Tower, which is supposed to be built in the River North area of Chicago (the Windy city par excellence, just saying), will be able to generate power for itself and its neighbour buildings as well. This will be possible thanks to the shape of the building, fruit of a deep study of fluid and wind dynamics: wind will be pushed, thanks to the amphibious shape, towards the outer wing, which will further canalized into the turbines, and then in the atrium.
The tower, which will host for the major part offices, and a luxury hotel as well, with a sky bar and pool area on top of it, is with no doubt a symbol of modern architecture. Functionality is the main goal of the whole project, but its appearance and integration with the surrounding environment do not play a secondary role. Looking at the drafting of the project, it is quite easy to compare the building to an amphibious’ body, and the external wings render the whole structure lighter and slender, not an intrusive presence in the rational scheme of Chicago streets. Furthermore, the outer skins, which will protect the structure from the outside weather conditions, will reflect the shapes of the ambient, almost replicating the brilliant idea of the famous Bean in Millennium Park.
The Relief Tower will be a revolution, a sight to the future, when building with respect for upcoming generations will be a hygienic factor, not a plus.
