The Environmental Performance Of Tall Buildings

Tall buildings represent one of the most energy-intensive architectural typologies, while at the same time offering the high density work and living conditions that many believe will an important constituent of future sustainable communities. How, then, can their environmental impact be lessened? This insightful book takes in: an overview of the tall building and its impacts (looking at cityscape, place, mobility, microclimate, energy and economics) design principles and the development of the sustainable tall building global perspectives (covering North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia) detailed, qualitative case studies of buildings in design and operation the future for sustainable tall buildings. Not simply another showcase for future utopian designs and ideals, the information presented here is based on hard research from operating buildings. Highly illustrated and combining analysis with solid detail for practice, this is essential reading for architects, building engineers, design consultants, retrofitters and urban planners interested in or working with tall buildings, and researchers/students in these disciplines.

The Sustainable Tall Building: A Design Primer is an accessible and highly illustrated guide, which primes those involved in the design and research of tall buildings to dramatically improve their performance. Using a mixture of original research and analysis, best-practice design thinking and a detailed look at exemplar case studies, author Philip Oldfield takes the reader through the architectural ideas, engineering strategies and cutting-edge technologies that are available to the tall building design team. The book takes a global perspective, examining high-rise design in different climates, cultures and contexts. It considers common functions such as high-rise housing and offices, to more radical designs such as vertical farming and vertical cemeteries. Innovation is provided by examining not only the environmental performance of tall buildings but also their social sustainability, guiding the reader through strategies to create successful communities at height. The book starts by critically appraising the sustainability of tall building architecture past and present, before demonstrating innovative ways for future tall buildings to be designed. These include themes such as climatically responsive architecture, siting a tall building in the city, zero-carbon towers, skygardens and community spaces at height, sustainable structural systems and novel façades. In doing so, the book provides essential reading for architects, engineers, consultants, developers, researchers and students engaged with sustainable design and high-rise architecture.

The Sustainable Tall Building: A Design Primer is an accessible and highly illustrated guide, which primes those involved in the design and research of tall buildings to dramatically improve their performance. Using a mixture of original research and analysis, best-practice design thinking and a detailed look at exemplar case studies, author Philip Oldfield takes the reader through the architectural ideas, engineering strategies and cutting-edge technologies that are available to the tall building design team. The book takes a global perspective, examining high-rise design in different climates, cultures and contexts. It considers common functions such as high-rise housing and offices, to more radical designs such as vertical farming and vertical cemeteries. Innovation is provided by examining not only the environmental performance of tall buildings but also their social sustainability, guiding the reader through strategies to create successful communities at height. The book starts by critically appraising the sustainability of tall building architecture past and present, before demonstrating innovative ways for future tall buildings to be designed. These include themes such as climatically responsive architecture, siting a tall building in the city, zero-carbon towers, skygardens and community spaces at height, sustainable structural systems and novel façades. In doing so, the book provides essential reading for architects, engineers, consultants, developers, researchers and students engaged with sustainable design and high-rise architecture.

We now find ourselves in an age where "green design" is at the forefront of many tall building projects around the world, where it seems that every year brings new technologies and innovations that are touted as the be-all and end-all for a long-term sustainable future. But these solutions tend to only reduce the environmental impacts of a building during its operation phases, with the stages before and after this period often neglected. This is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that the world is currently constructing tall buildings in excess of 1,000 meters in height yet we have never demolished a building of even 200 meters in height through conventional means. Despite this reality, our cities continue to be filled with myriad skyscrapers, most of which are not given full considerations for their entire life cycle, or end-of-life. Through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, we can gauge the environmental consequences of human actions by analyzing the flow of materials used in a building and trace the environmental impacts linked to each stage of its life cycle. When information from each stage is combined, a holistic picture of environmental impacts can be formed for a given product, one that acknowledges the various actions that are required to bring a single entity into existence through contemporary means. This research identifies and compares the life cycle implications for the structural systems found in 60- and 120-story buildings. It is intended to inform the international community of professionals and researchers specializing in tall buildings on the life cycle environmental performance of the most common structural systems by providing the most accurate, up-to-date analysis on two key impact categories: Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Embodied Energy (EE). In doing this it presents interesting research results, and also lays down a methodology in this emerging field for others to follow.

Many argue that high-rises deliver positive environmental effects, such as densification, and reduction of traffic and carbon dioxide emissions. But is it really that simple? What is the impact of tall buildings on their environment? What are ideal densities? What makes a tall building a success? Do high-rises live up to the claims made for them? How sustainable is a high-rise building? Can it be re-used? How can one reduce the environmental impact of a tower? With various contributions from international architects and urban designers, this book addresses key questions when considering the role of high-rise in a sustainable urban future.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has produced four Technical Guides to date, since the series launched in late 2012. Each of these guides is the product of a CTBUH Working Group—committees formed specifically to address focused topical subjects in the industry. The intention of each guide is the same—to provide working knowledge to the typical building owner or professional who wants a better understanding of available options for improving tall buildings, and what affects their design. The object of the series is to provide a tool-kit for the creation of better-performing tall buildings, and to spread the understanding of the considerations that need to be made in designing tall. This technical guide offers an extensive overview of the use of vertical vegetation in high-rise buildings, an indepth analysis of green walls, definitions and typology, including standards, policies and incentives. It features comprehensive case studies, along with architectural theories of the public and private benefits of green walls. The book delves into architect-design considerations and limitations, the effects of green walls on energy efficiencies and includes recommendations and future research.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the world’s foremost authority on tall buildings. Best Tall Buildings chronicles the annual awards process, in which the CTBUH recognizes outstanding tall buildings and design innovations that advance the potential of integrated sustainability, economic productivity, and social prosperity in cities across the world. More than an awards book, this volume serves as a global overview of tall building construction and activity in a given year, providing in-depth description of the buildings’ design and significance, accompanied by stunning images, detailed drawings, and plans. This book provides fascinating and inspiring reading for all those interested in the planning, design, and construction of tall buildings. CTBUH bestows 11 awards annually, four of which are given to buildings in various geographical regions: Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The title of overall Best Tall Building Worldwide is then presented to one of the four regional winners at the annual CTBUH Awards Symposium and Ceremony. Additionally, the Urban Habitat Award recognizes significant contributions to the urban realm, in connection with tall buildings. The 10 Year Award recognizes proven value and performance—across one or more of a wide range of criteria—after a building has been complete and in operation for a decade. The Innovation Award recognizes a specific area of recent innovation in the tall building industry that has been incorporated into the design of, or significantly tested in, the construction, operation, or refurbishment of a tall building project. The Performance Award recognizes a building with proven value and performance over a minimum of three years. The CTBUH also gives two annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the design or technical advancement of tall buildings.

This book, the result of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 6th World Congress: Cities in the Third Millennium, examines the issues which must be addressed if we are to have a common understanding of the forces of change.Experts in architecture, engineering and planning contribute a commentary on the existing condition of urban design,