An analysis of space efficiency in Asian supertall towers
Hüseyin Emre Ilgın
Abstract:PurposeSupertall towers (300 m+) offer a viable solution to the increasing demand for housing and commercial space caused by rapid urban growth, migration from rural to urban areas and economic expansion in Asia. In this particular context, the efficient utilization of space becomes a crucial factor in the design process for Asian skyscrapers as they seek to address the changing socioeconomic landscape. This study will provide valuable guidance, especially to architectural and structural designers in the pursu… Show more
“…However, in the context of constructing supertall buildings, a paradigm shift occurs, with outriggered frame systems assuming a commonplace role. This distinctive trend signifies a deliberate departure from conventional choices, highlighting the unique structural considerations that come into play when engineering exceptionally tall structures [102,103].…”
Tall timber buildings represent an emerging and highly promising sector due to their potential to yield significant environmental and economic advantages throughout their entire life cycles. Nonetheless, the existing body of literature lacks a comprehensive exploration of the primary architectural and structural design considerations for such sustainable towers. To address this gap and to enhance our understanding of emerging global trends, this study scrutinized data from 49 tall timber building case studies from around the world. The key findings revealed the following: (1) Europe stood out as the region boasting the highest number of tall timber buildings, with North America and Australia following behind; (2) residential applications were the most preferred function for tall timber buildings; (3) central cores were the predominant choice for core configuration; (4) prismatic forms were the most prevalent design preferences; (5) composite materials were notably widespread, with timber and concrete combinations being the most prominent; (6) structural systems primarily featured shear–frame systems, especially shear-walled frames. By unveiling these contemporary characteristics of tall timber buildings, this research is expected to provide valuable insights to architects, aiding and guiding them in the design and execution of future sustainable projects in this field.
“…However, in the context of constructing supertall buildings, a paradigm shift occurs, with outriggered frame systems assuming a commonplace role. This distinctive trend signifies a deliberate departure from conventional choices, highlighting the unique structural considerations that come into play when engineering exceptionally tall structures [102,103].…”
Tall timber buildings represent an emerging and highly promising sector due to their potential to yield significant environmental and economic advantages throughout their entire life cycles. Nonetheless, the existing body of literature lacks a comprehensive exploration of the primary architectural and structural design considerations for such sustainable towers. To address this gap and to enhance our understanding of emerging global trends, this study scrutinized data from 49 tall timber building case studies from around the world. The key findings revealed the following: (1) Europe stood out as the region boasting the highest number of tall timber buildings, with North America and Australia following behind; (2) residential applications were the most preferred function for tall timber buildings; (3) central cores were the predominant choice for core configuration; (4) prismatic forms were the most prevalent design preferences; (5) composite materials were notably widespread, with timber and concrete combinations being the most prominent; (6) structural systems primarily featured shear–frame systems, especially shear-walled frames. By unveiling these contemporary characteristics of tall timber buildings, this research is expected to provide valuable insights to architects, aiding and guiding them in the design and execution of future sustainable projects in this field.
“…Ilgın [29] conducted a thorough investigation into the spatial efficiency of 75 supertall buildings situated in Asia. The study's main findings can be outlined as follows: (a) the average spatial efficiency was 67.5%, with a range from 55% to 82%; (b) the mean ratio of core to gross floor area (GFA) was about 30%, varying between 14% and 38%.…”
The enduring appeal of prismatic shapes, historically prevalent in office building designs, persists in contemporary skyscraper architecture, which is attributed particularly to their advantageous aspects concerning cost-efficiency and optimal space utilization. Space efficiency is a crucial factor in prismatic skyscraper design, carrying substantial implications for sustainability. However, the current academic literature lacks a complete exploration of space efficiency in supertall towers with prismatic forms, despite their widespread use. This paper seeks to address this significant gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of data gathered from a carefully selected set of 35 case studies. The primary discoveries presented in this paper are outlined as follows: (i) average space efficiency stood at approximately 72%, covering a range that extended from 56% to 84%; (ii) average core to gross floor area ratio averaged around 24%, spanning a spectrum that ranged from 12% to 36%; (iii) the majority of prismatic skyscrapers utilized a central core approach, mainly customized for residential use; (iv) the dominant structural system observed in the analyzed cases was the outriggered frame system, with concrete being the commonly utilized material for the structural components; and (v) the impact of diverse structural systems on space efficiency showed no significant deviation, although differences in function led to variations in average space efficiency. The authors expect that these findings will provide valuable guidance, especially for architects, as they strive to enhance the sustainable planning of prismatic towers.
“…The study found space efficiency ranging from 78% to 88%. Ilgın [25][26][27][34][35][36] investigated space efficiency in various types of skyscrapers, including office, residential, and mixed-use towers. Common findings across these studies included the frequent use of outriggered frame systems and a central core, and an inverse relationship between tower height and space efficiency.…”
High-rise timber residential towers (≥eight-stories) represent a burgeoning and auspicious sector, predominantly due to their capability to provide significant ecological and financial advantages throughout their lifecycle. Like numerous other building types, spatial optimization in high-rise timber residential structures stands as a pivotal design factor essential for project viability. Presently, there exists no comprehensive investigation on space efficiency in such towers. This study analyzed data from 51 case studies to enhance understanding of the design considerations influencing space efficiency in high-rise timber residential towers. Key findings included (1) the average space efficiency within the examined cases was recorded at 83%, exhibiting variances ranging from 70% to 93% across different cases, (2) the average percentage of core area to gross floor area (GFA) was calculated at 10%, demonstrating fluctuations within the range of 4% to 21% across diverse scenarios, and (3) no notable distinction was observed in the effect of various core planning strategies on spatial efficiency when properly designed, and similar conclusions were drawn regarding building forms and structural materials. This research will aid in formulating design guidelines tailored for various stakeholders such as architectural designers involved in high-rise residential timber building developments.
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