Central to Masdar Institute’s central courtyard is a contemporary re-interpretation of the traditional Arabic Windtower, which has been designed to bring cooling breezes down to ground level.

 Rising 45m above the podium, this modern interpretation of one of the region’s most iconic traditional architectural features is a landmark in the Masdar Institute neighborhood. The tower’s height means it can capture the cooler upper-level winds and direct them to the open-air public square at its base. Sensors at the top of the steel structure operate high-level louvers to open in the direction of prevailing winds and to close in other directions to divert wind down the tower.

 A PTFE membrane carries the wind downward, while mist generators at the top add additional cooling to the air. (PTFE is the scientific name for the well-known non-stick brand Teflon.)