Elliott + Associates Architects Selected as
“Innovator of the Year” by Business Journal for
Turbinomics Concept behind Futuristic Wind-
Powered Skyscraper
April 15, 2010 01:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time
OKLAHOMA CITY--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The architect who designed a futuristic, energy-saving
skyscraper powered by wind was honored last evening as the “Innovator of the Year” by The Journal Record, a
business journal published in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“We were captivated by the ingenuity and brilliance of Rand and his firm’s design of the ultimate clean and green
skyscraper,” commented Mary Mélon, publisher of The Journal Record. “Rand and his firm have carved out a
global reputation for creative and distinctive architectural design. His wind-powered skyscraper, which he cleverly
trademarked as Turbinomics, is one more creative concept in a line of breakthrough ideas. We are fortunate Rand
elected to build his firm in Oklahoma, because a number of his award-winning projects are located here. Our
“Innovator of the Year” program honors businesses and individuals who embrace both the entrepreneurialism and
innovation that make Oklahoma such a special place to live and work. Rand and his firm embody these qualities.”
Rand Elliott entered an international competition in 2008 to design the “Skyscraper of the Future.” “I’ve always
wanted to design a skyscraper,” said Elliott, FAIA, with Elliott + Associates Architects in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma. “What architect hasn’t? My challenge was to design something that would be visually new and conserve
our precious energy resources. This was the beginning of an intense journey that culminated in what we call
Turbinomics.”
After 500 sketches over the course of 69 days, Elliott’s thoughts consistently turned to a natural Oklahoma resource
- the wind. Oklahoma City is the second windiest city in the country, with daily wind speeds of 12.2 mph, behind
only Dodge City, Kansas. “A typical skyscraper is an energy hog,” Elliott continue