A futuristic-looking building on the edge of The Downs, near Didcot, could be the shape of buildings in towns and cities in the not-too-distant future.

Wind turbines sited in open landscape and offshore are becoming a more common source of renewable energy.

Mike BlanchBut scientists are now turning their attention to installing wind turbines in urban landscapes which could radically alter the design of tall buildings.

For two years, scientists at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, have been working on a prototype building as part of an

EU research project costing almost £1m.

Because of our weather, Mike Blanch, pictured, of RAL, said Britain was one of the most suitable countries in Europe to use the new technology which could be used to provide power for a building just as solar panels were incorporated into new buildings.

Different designs and building shapes have been tested, and a twin-towered, 7m-high prototype structure has been built at RAL.

Mr Blanch told an international workshop of environmental engineers, building energy specialists and architects from Holland and Germany: "The results are very encouraging because the prototype building performed even better than wind tunnel testing suggested."

Mr Blanch said the next step in the project was to attract interest from builders and developers.

**Picture: Jon Lewis