## 1 Introduction  
### Significance and Challenges in Wind Engineering  
The field of wind engineering has witnessed a growing significance, particularly concerning the aerodynamic performance of buildings and renewable energy infrastructure. This importance stems from the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme wind events, such as hurricanes/typhoons, which substantially damage the built environment [1; 2]. The challenges posed by extreme wind events face both low- and high-rise buildings [3]. With most constructed buildings worldwide falling into the low-rise category, the structural integrity of these buildings is of paramount importance [4; 5]. While seismic considerations are critical in high-risk zones, wind loads pose a significant challenge, especially in open terrains, coastal areas, and elevated regions [6]. The aerodynamic behaviour of buildings, whether low- or high-rise, is complex and influenced by various factors, including wind velocity, turbulence intensity, terrain, and building geometry [4; 7; 8; 9]. The unpredictable nature of wind loads further exacerbates this complexity during storms, which fluctuate in magnitude, direction, and distribution over time [6]. Buildings, in particular, exhibit bluff body characteristics, experiencing downstream abnormal pressure gradients leading to boundary layer separation [10]. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of hurricanes and other extreme weather events have increased, resulting in widespread damage to buildings and other structures [11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20]. The economic losses from such events are substantial, underscoring the urgent need for more resilient building designs. Low-rise buildings, commonly found in coastal and open terrain areas, are especially vulnerable to windstorms. Their typically non-engineered construction makes them more susceptible to wind-induced damage. Understanding and accurately simulating wind loads on these structures and their components, such as roof-mounted solar panels, is crucial for improving their design, resilience, and sustainability [10; 21; 22]. In the case of high-rise buildings, their proliferation is driven by the need for sustainable urban development, allowing for increased population density on limited land [23]. However, their heightened elevation makes them particularly sensitive to wind loads [24]. The aerodynamic intricacies of high-rise structures, including flow separation, wake development, and vortex formation, lead to fluctuating pressures on their facades, potentially inducing structural responses and damage to cladding [25]. The increased incidence of extreme wind events further emphasizes the importance of understanding and mitigating wind-induced damage to high-rise buildings. Given these challenges, aerodynamic testing is pivotal in evaluating wind effects on buildings. However, traditional wall-bounded laboratory testing has limitations, particularly in replicating complete turbulence at high Reynolds numbers, which are crucial for accurately mimicking real-world conditions [26; 27]. Recent studies advocate for large-scale testing facilities, such as the open-jet facility at Louisiana State University (LSU), which generates complete turbulence at higher Reynolds numbers, with minimal blockage effects [27; 28]. These advances in testing techniques enable a more accurate estimation of wind pressures on buildings, ultimately contributing to developing more resilient and wind-resistant structural designs. The combined insights from this paper aim to lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by extreme wind events on both low- and high-rise buildings, as well as buildings with solar panels, and draw attention to a pioneering approach, which promises a paradigm shift in structural resilience and design, with a vision for revolutionizing wind engineering for many applications.