Abstract: An energy-harvesting building structure has multiple levels, a vertical shaft (central vortex tower] to direct wind upward toward an outlet at the top, and multiple wind powered turbines in the shaft. Wind collection areas on multiple levels are exposed to multiple directions. Wind vanes pivot into a backstopped position for redirecting wind to spiral inward toward the shaft. Wind twisters receive and further redirect wind inward and upward into the shaft to feed an air vortex driving the turbines at different levels. Two concentric stages of wind vanes may be included within wind collection areas, with the inner stage vanes having a surface which deforms in one direction but not the other. The building can include occupancy zones between wind collection levels. Heated air can be released into the bottom of the shaft to feed the vortex. At a top level, another wind turbine can draw wind up the shaft.

Abstract: An energy-harvesting building structure has multiple levels, a vertical shaft (central vortex tower] to direct wind upward toward an outlet at the top, and multiple wind powered turbines in the shaft. Wind collection areas on multiple levels are exposed to multiple directions. Wind vanes pivot into a backstopped position for redirecting wind to spiral inward toward the shaft. Wind twisters receive and further redirect wind inward and upward into the shaft to feed an air vortex driving the turbines at different levels. Two concentric stages of wind vanes may be included within wind collection areas, with the inner stage vanes having a surface which deforms in one direction but not the other. The building can include occupancy zones between wind collection levels. Heated air can be released into the bottom of the shaft to feed the vortex. At a top level, another wind turbine can draw wind up the shaft.