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A night view of the proposed Tulsa Tornado Tower. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.

Proposed Tornado Tower stirring up interest in Tulsa

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

TULSA, Okla. – The concept of the Tulsa Tornado Tower, a funnel-shaped building, started as a way to get a revolving restaurant up high enough to have great views of downtown, the Arkansas River, and the Osage Hills.

“As we worked on ways to make it more interesting than just a stick with at round restaurant on top, the swirling of a tornado concept was born,” said architect Andrew A. Kinslow of Kindslow, Keith & Todd Inc.

“Once we had the concept, we needed to come up with a purpose for the building. We discussed open viewing platforms and garden areas. That led to a discussion of weather and the concept for the “Oklahoma Weather Museum & Research Center” was created,” said Kinslow.

The idea is still just a concept, but one that is attracting much attention.

Since the original article was published in Tulsa People Magazine there has been a tremendous amount of activity, including a meeting with Dr. Kerry Joes, who has been working on a concept for an Oklahoma Weather Museum since 2012. His vision is of a weather museum and science center with interactive exhibits that explore weather as a phenomenon, and introduces the visitor to the theory, data, forecasting and reality of life in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley. Joes saw the building concept and thought it would be a great marriage of the two concepts.

The 250- to 300-foot-tall building will be clad in glass with perforated metal panels and LED lighting as an accent. The concept is to use the existing building as the base for a new building that will be constructed on top.

The building would contain exhibits that highlight weather events in Oklahoma, a branch of NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory, revolving restaurant, multiple open terrace viewing, remote broadcast location for storm alerts, and a visitor information center.

 

A night view of the proposed Tulsa Tornado Tower. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.
A night view of the proposed Tulsa Tornado Tower. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.
The Tulsa Tornado Tower is designed to withstand high winds as it is built around a central core. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.
The Tulsa Tornado Tower is designed to withstand high winds as it is built around a central core. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.
Cross section view of the Tulsa Tornado Tower showing the roof terrace and revolving restaurant on the top floor. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.
Cross section view of the Tulsa Tornado Tower showing the roof terrace and revolving restaurant on the top floor. Image courtesy of Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc.