Could wind energy, generated from the fantail of a windmill, power it for domestic use?
This event explores the intersection of heritage and sustainability, as Architectural Technology students from the University of Westminster's School of Architecture and Cities, led by Tabatha Mills (Sustainable Heritage Researcher + Senior Lecturer), will showcase experimental models of windmill fantails and their potential for energy production. They will examine whether a single fantail can generate sufficient power to sustain a windmill for domestic use.
Focusing on Kent’s historic windmills, the team will apply passive design principles to examine how traditional structures can be adapted for renewable energy. Through interactive demonstrations they will illustrate how fantails harness wind power, their efficiency levels, and their implications for sustainable energy solutions whilst respecting historic structure and design details. This hands-on event, followed by an exhibition highlights the role of architectural technology in both preserving and evolving heritage structures.
Incorporating the theme of "voices" into this event allows us to focus on heritage architecture, which can be a powerful way to link historical narratives with contemporary concerns. The models allow the windmills to "speak" through the interactive demonstrations, which simulate the windmill’s mechanical movements, mimicking the way they generate energy in the present, creating a literal manifestation of the windmill’s historical and ongoing voice.
Join us for an engaging session of show-and-tell presentations, discussions, and live model demonstrations, where past innovations inspire a greener future!
