Taylors‘ expertise extends into various areas. One of the most notable examples is the design and implementation of a large, high-velocity wind tunnel for Insol Ltd in early 2021. This innovative project was intended to help Insol realise their vision of a unique facade testing facility.
The engineering challenge was twofold: we needed to deliver the required airflow while accommodating all the machinery within an existing building—a key client preference. The complex setup included multiple centrifugal fans, a three-metre mechanical turntable, and specialised ducting configurations. The design was fabricated based on the design from our parent company, Vortex Engineering, selecting the right equipment to achieve flow velocities of up to 200 km/h.
The outcome? A one-of-a-kind facility capable of testing full-scale (1:1) building facade elements for both structural integrity and wind noise. It stands as one of the largest and most powerful wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing Taylors’ ability to deliver bespoke solutions beyond our core focus.
Our team supported the manufacturing of this project alongside our partners Taurus Engineering, Fowlerex Technologies and Vortex Engineering, Vortex general manager Brett Hawkes talks about the custom project in this video.
