Constructing the world's first building to sport large integrated wind turbines in the most oil-rich region on the planet seems crazy. Just knowing there is so much oil under your feet makes profligate behaviour seem natural: people drive their gas guzzlers on journeys of a few yards and everywhere you go, super strong air-conditioning is engaged in an endless battle with 50°C temperatures. But the fabulous oil wealth of the Middle East also means clients have the money to try something different. So, when you put together a sailor inspired by the power of the wind at sea, and a wealthy client with the money to realise crazy dreams, the idea starts to look more plausible. This is how it happened. The client, who wants to remain anonymous, invited architect Shaun Killa, sailing enthusiast and design director of Atkins Middle East, to a piece of land near the Gulf coast in Manama in Bahrain to discuss its redevelopment. "When I went, a tremendous wind was blowing - it was at least 25 knots," says Killa. "It was very clean and uninterrupted, coming off the sea. It was clear to us that the opportunity was there to create a building that would harness that wind."
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