The effects of wind can be extreme around high-rise buildings such as flats and office buildings, from annoying drafts to life-threatening gusts and fall winds.
The way in which wind behaves around buildings depends on the shape, size and height (the plastic) of the buildings. The design of the facade - such as protrusions and staggering - also has an influence.
That is why theoretical wind studies for new building developments are carried out in advance to be able to assess the influence of wind flows around the new building on the quality of life in the immediate vicinity. A score is given based on this effect. However, it is very difficult to estimate based on that score what you will physically experience when you walk and live around the building.
Roughly 90% of wind that causes problems at the pedestrian level is caused by the building, and the air that is directed down the building's windward facade. It is easier to prevent wind nuisance by adapting the construction of the buildings, rather than solving problems afterwards by adjusting the environment.
That is why we want decision-makers (directors, aldermen and city councilors) to experience how the wind will behave around the planned new construction development. This way they can estimate as objectively as possible whether (pre)adjustments are needed.
Do you have a solution for this? Then we would like to receive your pitch!
What are we looking for?
We are looking for solutions that help us, on the basis of the wind studies (which we already have), enable 'decision-makers' to experience what it will be like to walk, cycle and recreate around a new building (regarding the wind) .
You are free to decide the type of solution; it can be physical and/or virtual. We do take into account how easy it is to use the solution, the amount of space it uses and time the solution takes, how easy it is to transport and of course the budget. However, we want to challenge you to come up with the most realistic solutions possible!
In terms of parameters that must be influenced, you can think of: wind speed (and fluctuation in it), wind direction, proximity and plastic of building masses, use, and any trees in autumn and summer. We prefer to see solutions that we can set up and use independently.
What are we not looking for?
We are not looking for new ways to perform wind studies that indicate the potential wind nuisance at a bird's eye level. It is specifically the impact of wind nuisance at eye level, with different construction shapes and masses, that we want to make tangible.
What is there to win
- An innovation budget of up to € 25,000.
- The chance of a follow-up assignment after the program.
- A 3-5 month guidance program in which you can take both the solution and the company to a higher level. You can find more information about the program and the various components on our programme page.
- Access to the government network.
Questions
Questions about this specific challenge you can ask on the discussion page. Questions about the programme and registration procedure you can find on the FAQ-page.
Registration
You can register by submitting a Proposal (here). This may not be longer than 6 A4 + 3 A4 attachment (in the same document). The further requirements of this proposal and how it is assessed are set out in the formal Request for Quotation (pdf download). Read it carefully!
Send in your proposal a completed UEA (Uniform European Tender Document (pdf download)).
By participating you also agree to the General Terms and Conditions for purchasing services and assignments: Algemene Inkoopvoorwaarden 2018 (pdf download).
The proposal may be submitted in any form (presentation / slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4) (max. 30MB).
Pitches in English are allowed.
Timeline
A complete timeline is given in the formal Selection Guide. The most important moments are:
- 9 June - Lauch challenge
- 29 June, 13:00-14:00 - Information Meetup (not mandatory)
- 15 July, 12:00 - Deadline for questions
- 24 July, 12:00 - Deadline for participation
- 7 August - First selection
- 7 September - 11 September - Live pitch round
- 25 September, 12:00 - Deadline for renewed proposal
- 12 October - Final selection
Background information
Here you can see what wind studies look like: https://actiflow.com/nl/bouwfysica/windhinder-en-windgevaar/