News
Damaged Blade Transformed into Celebration of Wind Power
By: Ted Johnson
Source: IDC Architects
PORTLAND, 24 April 2008 — Wind energy client Invenergy asked IDC Architects (IDCA) to take a damaged turbine blade—126 feet long—and transform it into a community attraction in Judith Gap, Montana. The request showed confidence that an architecture firm known for science and technology can also design a sustainable community feature, a landmark that will educate the public on the benefits of wind energy.
At first Judith Gap residents hesitated to embrace the concept for Blade Park. The single—repurposed—turbine blade will provide the centerpiece of "Blade Park" and orient visitors to nearby wind towers that rise over 250 feet above the prairie. Now residents have adopted it as a civic icon. Some even sell paraphernalia like Blade Park baseball hats.
Invenergy, a developer, owner and operator of large-scale electricity generation assets in the North American and European energy markets, builds and operates large-scale wind energy and thermal generating facilities. The company is actively developing projects throughout the U.S. and Europe and has a staff of over 200 worldwide.
But Blade Park in Judith Gap is one small fraction of IDCA's intended work.
Invenergy engaged IDCA to express the company's ethos through concept designs and programming for sustainable sites, facilities, and operations. IDCA, working with CH2M HILL project management, recommended upgrades for facilities in Texas, Montana, Colorado, and Idaho. Upgrades for building exteriors and interiors will optimize their performance, improve their safety, and generally make them better community "neighbors"–demonstrating the same values of sustainability for which the company has become known. IDCA's project scope included analysis of multiple sites, developing an Operations and Maintenance building prototype, and developing informational/educational kiosk concepts to be implemented at multiple sites around the country.