Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide

Ziona Strelitz (editor)

September 2005
Code: 39213
ISBN: 1 85946 168 9
978 1 85946 168 6
140 pp
Paperback
£32.50

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When we think about the world's major cities, we increasingly think of tall buildings like London's Gherkin: such buildings can develop an iconic status before they are even finished. With ever more proposals for tall buildings being made every year, this strategic guide is very timely and does a superb job in presenting an overview of the technical aspects of tall buildings in urban environments.
Richard Kauntze - Chief executive, British Council for offices.

Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide provides a ‘road map’ of the key aspects that anyone concerned with the commissioning, design and construction of tall buildings needs to consider in generating, understanding and evaluating tall buildings proposals.

It is aimed at clients who are considering commissioning tall buildings, and at statutory authorities and other agencies, architects and built environment professionals who seek and need to understand the distinct strategic issues relating to tall buildings.

The skylines of many world cities, and of those cities contending for such recognition, are defined and punctuated by tall buildings. The drivers for such dominant skylines range from land scarcity, social needs, high real estate values, commercial opportunity and corporate demand through to metropolitan signposting.

Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide, led by the British Council for Offices, emphasises the need for contextual relevance and high quality design and considers the complexity of the local, national and international agendas for tall buildings. It discusses architecture, urban design, engineering, life safety, construction, market economics and building occupancy – all of which are, individually and collectively, fundamental to the commercial viability and sustainability of tall buildings in an urban habitat.

Written by a team of highly respected practitioners with detailed specialist knowledge in their respective fields, and edited by Ziona Strelitz from ZZA, the guide covers the whole spectrum of issues concerning the design of tall buildings and will quickly establish itself as an invaluable tool for anyone hoping to understand fully tall building from those of conventional height in technical, functional, aesthetic and planning terms by reference to case studies such as the Heron, Columbus, London Bridge and Minerva towers, 122 Leadenhall Street, Canary Wharf Tower 42 and Centrepoint. With attention to tall buildings gathering pace across the UK, Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide is a valuable reference tool for anyone contemplating a tall building or seeking confirmation of the essential criteria for sustainable design.

CONTRIBUTORS
Harry Bridges Director, Arup
Adrian Godwin Chairman, Lerch, Bates
& Associates
Fred Pilbrow Director, KPF
Ziona Strelitz Director, ZZA
Faith Wainwright Director, Arup
Steve Watts Partner, Davis Langdon
Mohsen Zikri Director, Arup