I have recently come across a very interesting site.

OKC Net-Zero Velodrome - Blog

This is the blog of an OU architecture graduate student named Andrew Stevens. He's doing a research thesis for a proposal to build a velodrome in downtown OKC. A velodrome being an arena for track cycling.

Furthermore, he plans additional biking facilities beyond just the arena. In his words:
The velodrome I am proposing is going to be the cycling hub to the city. Not only will there be a velodrome, but there will be outdoor tracks for mountain biking, cyclocross, and criterium racing.
Not just that, but he proposes that the building be designed as a "zero net energy" structure. Andrew's definition for this:
Zero-net-energy: buildings and communities that produce all of their own energy from onsite renewable sources or that purchase energy from those who produce it from renewable resources.
A formidable challenge!


He has picked his site here:



This is a 59.5 acre triangular area just south of Boathouse Row, bounded on the east by 1-35 and on the south by railroad tracks.



To get an idea of what the arena could look like, he offers a few comparisons:

Berlin Velodrom: exterior


Berlin Velodrom: interior


London velodrome interior



A hand drawing shows the velodrome placement on the proposed site:



The preliminary floor plan for his structure looks like this:


There are more detailed floor plans given, as well as a cross section diagram that looks like this:


He's created a model of his green roof design:


And more.

Start reading here to see the initial proposal and why he wants to see this built:
Blog Archives - OKC Net-Zero Velodrome

He has covered a whole slew of topics dealing with all the aspects needed to create this velodrome/cycling-hub. This includes engineering concepts for energy creation and distribution, architectural considerations for the arena and its amenities, integration with the surrounding riverfront area, and more.

He's even done climate analysis to help determine energy consumption patterns and building materials requirements. There's so much detail, it's a bit dizzying.

He has a whole host of ideas for various parts of his plan. For example, using VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy) for energy generation. This is a device that sits along the bottom of a river (or other waterway) and uses passing water currents to generate hydro-kinetic power.

Pretty amazing stuff.

Will any of this come to pass? Probably not. But then again... who knows. In any event, it's awesome dream material.