Education: TH Rijswijk - Academy of Engineering
Age: 25
What is the Rotating Tower project?
The Rotating Tower is an idea of architect David Fisher. His dream was to take a new step towards dynamic architecture. The objective is to build a residential tower that, at the press of a button, changes its embodiment and provides residents with a continuously changing view. The effect will be amazing. The tower will never look quite the same so the city skyline will constantly change. It will take a storey ninety minutes to complete one revolution. That's much slower than the Rotterdam Euromast or the Toronto Tower. This difference stems mainly from the residential usage of the Rotating Tower.
It's an attractive design, but surely straight out of science fiction?
Fisher came up with the design. It's now up to Iv-Consult to turn his idea into workable reality. Having floors rotate or move is nothing new as the Rotterdam and Toronto examples illustrate. The greatest challenges for Iv-Consult lie in the significant differences between this concept and existing ones. For one thing the tower will have permanent residents. You have to consider the need for continuous supplies of water and electricity, the suspension of the floors and the prevention of vibrations. Most importantly of all, we're talking about luxury apartments where you can't make any concessions on living comfort and style.
What exactly is your role in this project?
My job as a design engineer is to focus on the mechanical aspects. Iv-Consult is responsible for the steel structure, the suspension and drive of the floors, the supply and drainage of water and the method used to build the tower. I am developing conceptual designs for the continuous supply and drainage of water. There can't be any leaks or smells and everything must meet all relevant hygiene codes and standards. It presents an intriguing challenge because the water supply system must be absolutely reliable and must move in unison with the tower. Other requirements are to keep residues caused by the wear of components out of the water and to prevent foul odours from leaking out of the drainage system.
How did you come to work at Iv-Groep?
In 2007 I graduated cum laude from the TH Rijswijk - Academy of Engineering. I was already working part-time at Iv-Consult. My final study project was the Rotating Tower because I'd already acquired considerable knowledge of it. Iv-Groep is an excellent employer. We work on prestigious projects and the various divisions of the company possess huge expertise.
"We work on high-profile projects and the different divisions of the company possess huge expertise."
