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April 2015
bility and usability
A: Buildings are not only becoming
taller, but they’re becoming more
majestic and are able to performbet-
ter in terms of energy efficiency and
indoor comfort levels for occupants.
We continue to produce what
would have been unimaginable a
decade ago thanks to world-class
engineering solutions that were
needed to construct the demanding
and visionary buildings that archi-
tects havemappedout. Besides being
more aesthetically pleasing, they’re
also becomingmore economical and
easier to construct.
Design professionals, specifi-
cally architects, feel they are less
constrained by technology than in
the past. As consulting engineers,
it’s our job to use technical skills so
that an architect or a client’s vision
can be realised. Today, we’re able
to build magnificently intricate tall
buildings that tell a story thanks to
Infrastructure & Mixed Use
the customised, handcrafted ideas
of architects, which leads architects
to dreamand plan bigger. In turn, the
pressure is put on engineers to find
workable building solutions to bring
the visions of architects to life.
Our ability to create extraordi-
nary and inspirational projects can
be attributed to the collaboration
that goes on between our design
teams and our willingness to cross
traditional boundaries. Whether it’s
unique geometric shapes, complex
facades or extreme wind testing and
analysis that needs to be done, the
engineers on a project need to come
upwith aworkable solution to get the
job done. Engineers and architects
work very closely right from the start
of any supertall building project, so
it’s a very dynamic and refreshing
working environment to be in.
Q: Do supertall buildings add value
to cities, or are they the preserve
of the rich?
A: Many of the existing tall buildings
are upmarket residential buildings or
luxury hotels and it’s true that most
people won’t have a chance to live
that way. The current and planned
tall buildings, however, address a
very real and important issue that
many countries and cities face – the
fact that we are running out of space
to house people. This is a key driver
of many planned projects.
In China, for example, a single
square kilometre typically houses
50 000 people. These people are typi-
cally living in 3 to 4 storey buildings
(blocks of flats) that cover approxi-
mately 50%of the land area. After you
have laid the infrastructure such as
roads, another 20%of the land space
is accounted for. This leaves you with
about 30% of the area for recreation,
growing food, energy production and
so forth.
This is a serious concern because
areas in China will eventually run
out of land. So with this in mind, tall
buildings not only address sustain-
ability issues but in many cases an
issue that could mean life or death
to large segments of the population.
Instead of looking at marginalisation
and equality, tall buildings become
part of a life and death argument.
If, for example, we can house the
same 50 000 people in 10%of the land
space thanks to tall buildings, then
we are left with 90% of the area for
recreation, food production, energy
generation and infrastructure, which
is an incredible improvement from
the current situation. Housing the
population of a growing city in these
tall buildings is a big winner for all
involved – developers, government
as well as citizens – and it’s a driving
force behind tall buildings.
Aureconwill continue to partner with
clients and architects to create futur-
istic buildings that offer remarkable,
innovative aesthetics. Whether the
requirements are energy saving, tight
timeframes or complex structures,
our team is willing and ready.
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