Everywhere you go there's bound to be some light breeze or gust that can be used for more than flying a kite or lighting up a novelty device. The design firm of Waugh Thistleton thinks so, too, and has won a permit to build an affordable wind-powered apartment complex that can generate enough power to supply 15% of the building's energy. The building is designed so most of the wind whipping around the structure is concentrated on the vertical turbines mounted on the back, which are able to generate 40,000 kWh each year.

Dalston may not be the windiest part of London, but if a 14-story building can help reduce CO₂ emissions, then maybe more designers should think about adding turbines to other things besides highway signs and barriers. — Stephen Schleicher

Dezeen, via Tree Hugger

Take the jump for schematics of the building.