Dipl.-Ing. Architect, BDA
Marcin Orawiec, Dipl.-Ing. Architect, BDA
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Architecture
Professor, co-founder of CreativeLab rethink*rotor, coordinator of the “power*stage” research project.
“CreativeLab rethink*rotor and a brief overview of previous developments”
about
rethink*rotor is the creative laboratory of OX2architekten GmbH and the Department of Architecture at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) is one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Germany and offers a wide range of practice-oriented degree programs in fields such as environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, and architecture. With its strong focus on sustainability, the h_da has positioned itself as an attractive location for students and young academics who want to work in an interdisciplinary and future-oriented way. An important component of the academic qualification is the Doctoral Center for Sustainability Sciences, which implements the right to award doctorates. With currently 12 faculties and more than 16,500 students, the h_da is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany.
The creative lab pools the design expertise and innovative power of the OX2team and the cognitive diversity in terms of experiences, perspectives and experimentation of the Department of Architecture.
Circular economy practices, such as the repurpose of discarded wind turbine blades, are paving the way for the construction and energy sectors to move towards a less material and carbon intensive economy.
The aim of this process is to integrate the expertise of previous players in the circular economy and at the same time provide incentives for further innovation. The rethink*rotor team is convinced that this will create a new market in which a large number of existing companies and start-ups will establish new, innovative and sustainable business areas.
onshore
Because rotor blades are corrosion-resistant, highly stable, lightweight and durable, the team at the rethink*rotor creative lab is working on the efficient use of their outstanding features in the construction industry.
If the wings remain intact, they can fully demonstrate their technical design advantages and be easily repurposed into noise barriers, hangars, towers or stadium roofs.
This significantly saves resources such as cement, sand and steel and reduces the huge amount of construction waste.
offshore
rethink*rotor is working on the creation of floating islands as a revolutionary solution to one of the world’s most pressing problems. Rising sea levels and the growing demand for raw materials are leading to the loss of arable land, loss of livelihoods, economic hardship, reduced food and water security and the displacement of entire communities. Because a rotor blade is hollow and waterproof, it can generate a lift of 94 tons with a length of 32 meters. rethink*rotor has developed “blade*pontoons” to assess the feasibility of building sustainable marine settlements, such as seaports, islands for agriculture, to store goods, generate energy or provide human habitats.
workshop at Waseda University
For the workshop in Japan, the CreativeLab has prepared a concept for a floating energy supply from renewable energies and for the production of green hydrogen. Offshore wind turbines installed on floating platforms generate electricity from wind energy. The process of electrolysis involves the division of water into its constituent elements, hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting hydrogen is stored and can be used for transportation or as an energy source in fuel cells, for example. Floating platforms have the potential to utilize substantial amounts of wind energy, thereby facilitating a significant increase in hydrogen production capacity. Hydrogen production can be decentralized at various offshore locations, reducing dependence on a central infrastructure.
information on the research project:
information on the creative lab rethink*rotor:
https://vimeo.com/rethinkrotor
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rethink-rotor/
https://www.instagram.com/rethinkrotor
Yes.