High Rise Architecture, Skyscraper Building Article, Project News, Design, Property Image

High Rise Buildings – Tower Designs

Skyscraper Design Discussion by Peter A. Irwin

14 Jun 2011

High Rise Buildings, Tower Architecture

High Rise Architecture

How tall can you go?

In an exclusive, one-to-one technical interview with Peter A. Irwin, Chairman, Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) Consulting Engineers & Scientists speaks to IQPC on the environmental concerns that arise for construction engineers when building the mile-high tower.

He goes into detail particularly on how extreme temperatures and wind factors impact façades on a skyscraper, including horizontal weightage, façade design, façade material, how it is imperative for façade engineers to meet with wind professionals in construction companies and architects early in the conceptualisation phase and more critical information.

Click here to listen to the complete interview. As a façade engineer, this interview will certainly help in giving you a bigger picture to ensure successful and safe designs.

RWDI are one of the world’s experts in wind research for high rise buildings, whose work includes research on structures such as Taipei 101 and the Burj Khalifa tower. Peter was involved in mile-high tower studies before the current confirmed one in Jeddah as well.

The 2nd Annual Façade Design and Engineering India Summit by IQPC features some of the most influential names in architecture, high rise and façade projects. To receive the Façades infopack, email enquiry@iqpc.ae

What should facade designers and providers of facade solutions keep in mind when it comes to designing and providing for very tall skyscrapers?

One of the main issues is to design for enough strength to take the expected strong winds you might get around the tower. Local pressures you get on the glass can be very well quanitified in wind tunnels in a standard approach. Another thing to be expected is stack effects which is due to tall heights of a very tall tower and the temperature differences inside and outside the tower which affect the facade structure.

At what stage should developers and architects involve facade designers?

It is a very good idea to have initial input from and with facade designers during the concept phase itself, so as to avoid any major changes which may be required much later in the project when it is very difficult to do so. Wind tunnel testing, ascertaining pressure and temperature affects on the glass is something that can be quantified early on and can help with the design and construction plans right from the start.

Skyscraper Buildings

Peter A. Irwin, Chairman, Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) Consulting Engineers & Scientists:
Peter Irwin author of High Rise Buildings article
photo from IQPC

Location: London, England, UK

Skyscraper Architecture

Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Design: SOM Architects
Burj Khalifa High Rise Buildings
photo © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Burj Khalifa skyscraper – tallest building in the world

Tallest skyscraper : world’s tallest building since 2007

Recent Skyscrapers

Spire London Docklands Tower
Design: HOK, Architects
Spire London Docklands skyscraper building
image from architect office
Spire London Docklands Tower

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Tokyo, Japan
Design: Tange Associates Architects
Cocoon Tower Tokyo
photo : Koji Horiuchi
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

The Shard, London, UK
Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
The Shard Tower
photograph © Andy Spain
The Shard

Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou, China
Design: SOM, architects
Pearl River Tower
photo : SOM
Pearl River Tower

Architecture Articles – Selection

Resisting Boredom : article by Joyce Hwang. Jan 2011

Sizing Identities : article by Sergio López-Piñeiro. Jan 2011

Design Narrative : article by Lee Miles – Sep 2010

Skyscraper Designs

Comments / photos for the High Rise Buildings – Skyscraper Design Article by Peter A. Irwin page welcome

Architecture