HYBRID THINKING

BRIDGING THE GAP

Hybrid thinking isn’t the sole preserve of the automotive industry, there are examples of clever thinking all around us. Here are some of our favourites...

A bridge that captures wind energy from both its surroundings and the cars passing underneath it and produces electricity to light up the bridge at night. This extraordinary project was thought up by two young, ambitious and talented architects - Tiago Barros and Jorge Pereira - who have won a string of awards for what they call their Cross-Wind Bridge.

Conceptually situated in Lisbon, Portugal, the bridge spans the highway and contains 2,188 rotating panels. The panels spin when moved by the wind created by passing traffic and the surrounding air movement. In theory, the power that is generated could be used to light more than just the bridge.

Although the bridge doesn’t exist (yet!), Tiago Barros believes that projects like this one will pave the way for what he calls: "A fully integrated architectural model that comprehends the urban relationship between cars, wind power and pedestrians."

In principle, constructions like these could be built today. However, says Barros "We are still far from this kind of approach being standard practice in construction as green solutions are still expensive and complicated and, therefore, difficult to sell."

He believes that the world isn't yet ready for radical and ubiquitous energy-saving solutions, but technologies like full hybrid are hastening their arrival: "The world needs to change slowly, at its own pace. The forward-looking nature of automotive hybrid technology means one ultimate goal (one we should all share): zero emissions."

www.tiagobarros.eu