Sustainability Design of Skyscrapers - Dissertation

Introduction

Construction of skyscrapers has evolved both in height and shapes over the years (Boake 2015, pp.54-71). This has been possible due to various factors that have necessitated a change in architectural design to align with modern-day trends and technological advances. Langenbach (2015, pp.21-41) elucidates that the contemporary skyscrapers are designed to ensure sustainable urban approach through modern innovation. Sustainability ensures energy efficiency in skyscrapers and land use (Kontokosta 2013, pp. 190-198). This paper proposes the best architectural designs and innovations that can ensure sustainability of skyscrapers in urban settings.

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Background and Context

Skyscrapers design has been one of the most intriguing artistic works to have existed. According to Saroglou, Meir, Theodosiou, and Givoni (2017, pp.437-449), modern-day technology such as elevators, fireproof columns and beam protection, cage and skeleton, and caisson foundations have enabled the construction of sustainable skyscrapers that are tall and super-thin as compared to the ancient skyscrapers. Al-Kodmany and Ali (2013, pp. 11-40) describe the evolution of modern-day skyscrapers to have taken place in three different phases. The researchers note that the first phase was called wild work in which several tall-buildings emerged in the world. The next stage was known as tripartite pattern phase that involved widespread use of shafts and capital to design and construct skyscrapers. Finally, the third phase began shortly before the advent of World War I and it involved sustainable approach which led to the construction of super-thin buildings as well as efficient energy utilization. This was to cater for the ever-increasing urban population. Kristiansen and Turek (2015, p.14) give a summary of the evolution of skyscrapers as shown in figure 1 below.

Figure 1 showing evolution of skyscrapers

Problem Statement and Analysis

The urban population is ever-increasing as people move from their rural home to major towns and cities in search of employment opportunities or for studies (Davis 2015, pp.43-53). The increased urban population puts pressure on land and housing (Chudacoff, Smith, & Baldwin 2016, p. 193; Barr 2013, pp.369-391). The available land space and housing units are insufficient to cater for the growing population. Thus, there has been a need to utilize the available limited land space to meet the housing need of the urban population. Scheer (2017, p.5) explains that the current trend involves the construction of super-thin skyscrapers to cater for the limited land space. However, there is an urgent need for incorporating sustainable urban approach to ensure efficient energy utilization in skyscrapers (Kibert 2016, p.12; Al-Kodmany 2015, p.1).

Research Design

The research will involve literature search from online libraries in which various research studies involving skyscraper sustainable design approach will be analyzed. The best available design will be selected and areas that require improvement will be outlined.

Objective and Final Outcome

Objective

The objective of the research will be to identify an architectural design for skyscrapers that lead to sustainable urban approach.

Final Outcome

The final outcome will involve identification of the best architectural design that leads to sustainable urban approach. Thereafter, a model of a skyscraper that incorporates the identified design will be developed to test the efficiency of the identified sustainability approach.

Work Plan

The project will involve assembly of the relevant materials for research, hiring of personnel, procuring materials for the model, actual modeling, and testing. Table 1 below shows the schedule for the project.

Project Budget

The research and model will require funding to ensure that the research objectives are met. The costs of research and modeling are categorized into transport costs, material costs, labor costs, and miscellaneous costs. Table 2 below shows the breakdown.

Conclusion

Generally, population pressure in urban areas has led to the need of designing skyscrapers that enhance sustainability in urban life. The design includes land space maximization and energy conservation. This proposal is aimed at identifying the best sustainability approach in skyscrapers that can cater for the ever-increasing urban population.

References

Al-Kodmany, K. and Ali, M.M., 2013. The future of the city: Tall buildings and urban design. WIT press.

Al-Kodmany, K., 2015. Eco-towers: Sustainable cities in the sky. WIT Press.

Barr, J., 2013. Skyscrapers and skylines: New York and Chicago, 1885-2007. Journal of Regional Science, 53(3), pp.369-391.

Boake, T.M., 2015. The Evolution of Tall Building in the Gulf: From the Sensational to the Sensitive. Architectural Design, 85(1), pp.54-71.

Chudacoff, H.P., Smith, J., and Baldwin, P., 2016. The evolution of American urban society. Routledge.

Davis, K., 2015. The urbanization of the human population. In The city reader (pp. 43-53). Routledge.

Kibert, C.J., 2016. Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery. John Wiley & Sons.

Kontokosta, C.E., 2013. Tall Buildings and Urban Expansion: Tracing the Evolution of Zoning in the United States. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 13(3), pp.190-198.

Kristiansen, K. and Turek, J. eds., 2015. Paradigm Found: Archaeological Theory _ Present, Past and Future. Essays in Honour of Ev_en Neustupn_. Oxbow Books.

Langenbach, R., 2015. Timber Frames and Solid Walls: Earthquake Resilient Construction from Roman Times to the Origins of the Modern Skyscraper. In Historical Earthquake-Resistant Timber Frames in the Mediterranean Area (pp. 21-41). Springer, Cham.

Saroglou, T., Meir, I.A., Theodosiou, T. and Givoni, B., 2017. Towards energy-efficient skyscrapers. Energy and Buildings, 149, pp.437-449.

Scheer, B.C., 2017. The evolution of urban form: Typology for planners and architects. Routledge.