The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) played host to a group of architecture students from the University of Bahrain, together with their instructors, in order to understand the elements of sustainable design used in the building. The visit was requested by UoB as part of the curriculum which requires students to design a ‘Recreational Resort’ with a focus on environmental architecture.
During their visit, students learnt how the architecture of the BWTC’s elliptical shaped towers, acting as aerofoils, funnels and accelerates the wind onto the turbines thereby further exploiting the unobstructed prevailing onshore breeze from the adjacent Gulf coast to provide a renewable source of energy for the building.
Students were given an explanation of the testing and system-calibration works that will be undertaken over the subsequent months as the building becomes occupied. These works will ultimately enable the turbines to be set in automatic mode and further data to be gathered to determine the actual electricity generation potential of the turbines, which are currently predicted to generate between 11 and 15% of the towers’ electricity needs.
About Bahrain World Trade Center
Situated on the Manama waterfront and in the heart of the region’s leading financial and business hub, the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) project comprises the two 50-storey sail shaped twin office towers, the five-star Sheraton Hotel as well as MODA Mall, Bahrain’s only ultra high-end shopping destination, featuring some 160 luxury retail outlets as well as a host of modern cafes and exciting fine dining eateries.
The BWTC provides leading regional and international organizations with a world-class business address. The buildings are highly advanced in design and operation and are the Kingdom’s first intelligent offices, employing the latest SMART systems capable of delivering unsurpassed security and maximum competitive advantages and efficiency in office management. In addition, they are the first of their kind in the world, using wind energy to provide 11 – 15% of the electricity needs of the office towers.
Other benefits enjoyed by local and international businesses occupying space at the development is membership to the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Locating at the BWTC offers an exceptional opportunity for connectivity with the global business community. With more than 300 centers in 100 countries, WTCA has a membership of approximately 750,000 commercial enterprises worldwide.
