UNIT 3: CURRENT ISSUES

UNIT TOPICS

• Megatall and Supertall Skyscrapers

• Cities into the 21st Century

• Climate Change and Architecture

• Green Architecture (LEED certification)

• New construction techniques and materials

• Design Failures

• Housing Crisis

TALL AND MEGATALL SKYSCRAPERS

FIFTH GENERATION (2010’S-PRESENT)

SKYSCRAPER TRENDS

Frequency of Construction

• In the 1990s, an average of 12 skyscrapers were constructed per year.

• Current average (2020s) is approximately 112 skyscrapers per year.

Location

• In 1930, all tall buildings were located in the US; as of now, only 14% of them are in the US.

• Most skyscrapers are now being built in Asia and the Middle East.

Functionality

• Originally, skyscrapers served mainly as office spaces.

• Presently, they are designed for mixed-use, including residential, hotel, office, and retail spaces.

Material Usage

• In the 1980s, steel was the primary material for constructions.

• Currently, concrete composites (steel and concrete) are commonly used.

Naming Rights

• Past skyscrapers were often named after corporations (e.g., office-driven).

• Modern skyscrapers often bear the names of the cities (e.g., “Shanghai Tower,” “Chicago Tower”).

Aesthetic Considerations

• Climate change influences design with a focus on sustainability, incorporating wind turbines and solar panels.

WORLD'S TALLEST TOWERS

Timeline Overview

• Towers measured by height from 250 ft to 2,250 ft from the year 1890 to the present.

NEW DESIGN TERMINOLOGY

• Supertall: Any building over 300 meters (approximately 984 feet).

• Megatall: Any building over 600 meters (approximately 1,968 feet).

EXISTING MEGATALL SKYSCRAPERS (2026 Update)

TRENDS IN SKYSCRAPERS

Recent Concentrations

• As of 2020, 12 of the tallest 20 buildings worldwide were located in China.

EXAMPLES OF NOTABLE SKYSCRAPERS

Burj Khalifa

• Height: 828 meters/2,717 feet

• Completed in 2010, designed by SOM Architects.

• Structure includes thick, reinforced concrete walls, cross walls, floor slabs, and columns; switches to steel braced framing above level 156.

SLENDER SKYSCRAPERS

Characteristics and Innovations

• Known as “Pencil Towers,” emerged in Hong Kong in the 1970s; became popular in NYC’s Billionaire’s Row around 2009.

• Design: Ratio of base to height is narrower, providing distinct profiles.

• Material: Reinforced concrete is used for stability against winds. Steel would result in higher oscillation.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF SLENDER SKYSCRAPERS

NYC: Steinway Tower

• Known as the World’s Thinnest Skyscraper.

• Address: 111 W. 157 street, Manhattan.

• Designed by SHoP Architects with a width-to-height ratio of 1:24.

• Height: 1,428 ft, 91 stories, with mixed-use including 46 duplex residences.

• Notable for utilizing “air rights” from the historic Steinway Hall.

OVERVIEW OF NEW SUPERTALL STRUCTURES IN NYC

• Brooklyn Tower is marked as the tallest building outside Manhattan, primarily residential but currently struggling with occupancy.

• Style categorized as “Neo Art Deco.”

POTENTIAL FUTURE PROJECTS

Jeddah Tower

• Current projection for completion: early 2026, anticipated at 130 stories, with ongoing construction.

WILL THERE EVER BE A MILE-HIGH SKYSCRAPER?

CITIES INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

Urbanization

• Nearly 80% of the US population (330 million people) resides in urban or suburban areas.

Conceptualizing City Spaces

• Cities represent complex expressions of humanity’s connectivity, creativity, and economy.

• Built forms reflect dynamic, historical moments, with unique responses to environmental and societal contexts.

URBAN TERMINOLOGY

Megacity

• Term first used in 1904 by the University of Texas to describe cities with populations exceeding 10 million residents or high densities of 2,000 people per square km (about 8 million people).

• NYC was the first to reach a population of 10 million in 1936.

• As of now, approximately 70% of megacities exist within Asia.

Megalopolis

• Coined in the 1950s for large urbanized areas typically exceeding 10 million residents; interconnects multiple cities creating a dense urban typology.

Megaregion

• A term coined during the America 2050 initiative by the RPA (Regional Planning Association) that denotes interconnected metropolitan areas which share transport, economic, and resource ecosystems.

MEGACITIES WITH POPULATIONS OVER 10 MILLION

• Notable megacities include Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, and others listed with populations ranging from 10 million to 67.8 million.

URBANIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF CITIES

• The U.S. has 11 identified megaregions where over 237 million reside, including Cascadia, Northern California, Greater Los Angeles areas, and others.

EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN HOMES

Popular Architecture: Millennium Mansions

• Often referred to as “McMansions” or “New Traditional.”

• Characteristic features include mass production, mixed styles, large garages, high-pitched roofs, and asymmetrical designs.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS

Climate Concerns

• Water issues: rising sea levels, increased flooding and precipitation.

• Fire risks: increased wildfires due to climatic shifts.

• Heat: rises in carbon emissions driven by construction and elevated temperatures.

SEA LEVEL RISE AND IMPACTS

Key Statistics

• Global sea level has risen approximately 8-9 inches since 1880.

• New records show a rise of 3.6 inches by 2020.

• Projections suggest best-case scenarios of a rise of 12 inches and worst-case scenarios of up to 8.2 feet above 2000 levels by 2100.

Vulnerable Cities

• Major cities at risk of coastal flooding by 2050 include New York (426k), Miami (470k), and other Florida cities with significant populations.

RESEARCH ON SEA LEVEL FLOODING RISKS

• Over 1,100 infrastructure assets in coastal areas at risk by 2050, affecting millions who reside in vulnerable communities.

INTENSIFYING WILDFIRES

Urban Impacts

• Human-induced climate changes have led to increased wildfires, with a notable doubling in area burned in Western U.S. since 1984.

FUTURE OF CITIES AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Innovations

• International firms exploring adaptable building solutions, such as flexible structures that address rising water levels while maintaining urban integrity.

INCREASED HURRICANE FREQUENCY

Trends in Hurricane Activity

• Significant increase in the number of hurricanes and a noted intensification of wind speeds over the past decades, emphasizing the need for robust architectural designs to withstand climatic extremes.

ENVIRONMENTAL + CLIMATE

Key Observations

• A significant increase in 5000 toxic sites in the U.S. at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels.

• Florida, New Jersey, California, Louisiana are among states with the highest hazardous site risks.

GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Fundamental Aspects

• Aims to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and waste throughout a building's lifecycle.

Key Features

1. Passive Design: Utilizes natural resources for energy efficiency.

2. Energy Efficiency: Focused on building temperature management to reduce energy consumption.

3. Material Selection: Prioritizes recycled materials and reduces unnecessary consumption.

4. Adaptability: Ensures designs can adjust to local environments.

5. Budgetary Considerations: Encourages financial planning for sustainable practices.

6. Adaptive Reuse: Renovation of existing structures for sustainable use.

GREEN BUILDING MOVEMENT

Trends and Developments

• Growth in LEED-certified buildings shows a shift towards sustainable construction practices and the incorporation of eco-friendly features.

LANDMARK EXAMPLES OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Notable Projects

1. Bullitt Center: Seattle, WA - Living Building Certificate, energy produced exceeds consumption.

2. Ford Rouge Center: Dearborn, MI - 10.4 acres of living roof.

3. Helios House: First LEED certified gas station, powered entirely with solar energy.

DESIGN FAILURES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

Significant Infrastructure Failures

• The American Society of Civil Engineers has graded the infrastructure conditions as C-.

• Notable events like the Hyat Regency walkway collapse, Surfside condo collapse show failures linked to poor design and engineering oversights.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

• Future architecture must adeptly balance sustainable practices with infrastructure demands while considering climatic adaptations.