Wind generation can be enhanced by hybridizing the wind farm form with strategically shaped and placed buildings. These buildings act to catch, direct and accelerate wind currents. The self storage program is one that is adaptable to any footprint and apolitical enough to be placed within almost any context. Additionally, self storage makes for a cheap yet profitable placeholder-tenant. This allows construction to begin prior to locking in serious tenants. The intervention as a whole acts to invigorate the industrial banks of the Mystic River with a waterfront park and boardwalk peppered with amenities. This park will compliment the upcoming Assembly Square shopping development and T Stop across the river.

1. Self Storage Intervention
Using Building Infrastructure to Enhance Windfarms
Michael W Griffin
Masters Thesis Studio
Final Thesis Review
I. Rupnik
4.27.2010

2. Concept
Creating the Urban Wind Farm

3. Concept

4. Site
Everett, MA

5. Site
Everett, MA
Competition
Only two facilities within a one mile radius

6. Existing
Abandoned Industrial Lot
Adjacent to Shopping Complex
and Industrial Yards

7. Intervention
Current Pier - Boston
The Urban Wind Farm
Public Park & Shoreline
Zypher Storage
Blade Ultralounge
Dining & Retail

8. Planning Precedent
Deer Island, Winthrop, MA
Where the natural and
the industrial meet

9. Seated Within the Context

10. Activating the Site

11. The Introduced Geometry
A Shape and Orientation that
Maximize Wind-Harnessing

12. Seasonal Winds
Summer from the WNW
Winter from the E

13. Wind Compression
Compressed Wind Accelerates
as it Approaches Turbine
Faster wind = greater energy generation
Design Uses 2 Turbine Types

14. Wind Compression
Compressed Wind Accelerates
as it Approaches Turbine
Faster wind = greater energy generation
Design Uses 2 Turbine Types

15. Roof Plan
Tall Parapet, Turbine Access

16. Two Turbine Design
Traditional Prop & FloDesign Hoop
Iconic Image for Green Living Jet Engine Technology
Awe Inspiring Size and Hypnotic Motion Many Small Blades on a Hoop
Creates Less Wind Turbulence
Can work at faster speeds
Safer - Can be placed in Open Public Areas
Utilizes higher percentage of wind’s potential

17. Site Sections

18. Bottleneck Grid
Colored FloDesign Turbines Suspended in Tensile Diagrid

19. Turbine Totems
Colored FloDesign Turbines OffShore

20. Hybridized Windmill
Prop Turbine Shares Structure with the Building

21. Self Storage Building Section
6 Stories of Storage Topped with a 24’ Parapet

22. E Building Section
Blade Ultra Lounge and Club at the Penthouse
Retail and Dining on the Waterfront

23. A Unified Structural System
A ZigZag Truss System adds Rigidity to the Buildings
and Supports the Suspended Turbines

24. Typical Ground Floor
Parking, Retail and Storage

25. Typical Upper Floor
Storage

26. Turbine Floor (6th)
Storage, Turbines

27. Typical Ground Floor
Parking, Retail and Storage

28. Typical Ground Floor
Parking, Retail and Storage

29. The New Shoreline
Blade Ultralounge

30. Current Pier Boston
Boston’s Newest Attraction
Home of Zephyr Storage and Blade Ultralounge
thank you.