Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Allcon has carried out wind tunnel research for its SKYCITY Gdynia residential development, with results indicating that the high-rise project meets established user comfort criteria. The tests were performed at the Wind Engineering Laboratory of the Krakow University of Technology.
Wind tunnel testing, commonly used in sectors such as automotive, energy and aerospace, is applied in building design to analyse the effects of wind on structures and surrounding spaces. For residential projects, the method helps assess potential impacts on structural behaviour and occupant comfort by considering local terrain and the urban environment.
“Tunnel testing is one of many above-standard activities that we carry out as part of the SKYCITY Gdynia project. It is still a rarity on the Polish housing market, yet the comfort of residents should be a priority,” said Łukasz Śledź, Member of the Management Board at Allcon.
The research focused on the tallest planned tower, a 35-storey building. Engineers recreated site-specific wind conditions using a scaled aeroelastic model that reflected both the building and neighbouring structures. The analysis examined wind effects on façades, roofs and terraces, as well as the building’s dynamic response to wind loads.
According to Dr. Łukasz Flaga of the Krakow University of Technology, the testing allows designers to compare structural solutions and optimise performance. “Tunnel testing allows us to check alternative solutions and, as a result, consciously choose those that will make the building not only safe, but also comfortable and durable. Based on the research and analysis of the results, we can conclude that SKYCITY Gdynia meets all these standards,” he said.
A key objective of the study was to evaluate vibration comfort for future residents, particularly on the upper floors. The results indicated that wind-induced vibrations are expected to remain within levels considered imperceptible to occupants.
From the developer’s perspective, the testing provided an additional verification layer beyond standard computational analysis. Allcon stated that cooperation with the Krakow University of Technology and the use of wind tunnel modelling were intended to refine design assumptions and optimise structural solutions for the high-rise project.
