The development of skyscrapers has been a miracle in modern architectural history, symbolizing the progress of countries and cities, and serving as a calling card and totem of the city.
While skyscrapers are not in line with contemporary urban living trends, they still provide a sense of awe and wonder for many people. The height of skyscrapers is their defining characteristic, and buildings that don't emphasize height lose their skyscraper status.
Generally, the height of a skyscraper is measured from the roof, but it can also be measured from the lightning rod.
Over the past decade, high-rise construction has seen a rapid growth trend, with the total number of tall buildings of 200 meters and above reaching 1478, a 141% increase compared to 614 in 2010.
However, the construction of skyscrapers is not an easy feat, as there are three main types of problems to overcome: dead weight, wind load, and fast access methods (elevators).
In 1956, architect Frank Lloyd Wright planned to build a one-mile (1,600 meters) tall building. Although the plan garnered a lot of criticism at the time, it sparked an enduring fascination with the idea of ever-taller skyscrapers.
Today, the tallest tower in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 828 meters tall. The Jeddah Tower, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, is designed to be just under 1,000 meters tall.
Innovations in materials and technology, particularly the use of high-strength steel, have allowed for the development of light skeletal structures that can support taller buildings with more interior space.
However, the new tall buildings that have been constructed in recent years have often been criticized for their bland colors, lack of details, poor lighting, and inadequate public spaces.
Many of these compromises are made in order to make the building taller, which detracts from their overall design quality.
To harness the enduring fascination with skyscrapers and make them more beneficial to cities, there needs to be a way to create more efficient and well-designed buildings that are also tall.
One of the most significant challenges facing skyscrapers is their high vacancy rates. Although they have historically been profitable for their owners, the rise of remote work and changes in urban living trends have made it more difficult to fill office space in skyscrapers.
In order to make skyscrapers more appealing to young business leaders and investors, they need to be designed to meet the needs of the modern workforce.
This includes incorporating more flexible workspaces, amenities, and public spaces that encourage collaboration and community building.
Skyscrapers also have the potential to solve many economic, social, and environmental problems at the same time. By providing high-density living and working spaces in urban areas, skyscrapers can reduce urban sprawl and the need for long commutes.
They can also be designed to incorporate sustainable features such as green roofs, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy sources.
To make skyscrapers more appealing and beneficial to cities, architects, and developers need to prioritize design quality, functionality, and sustainability.
This means creating buildings that are not only tall, but also aesthetically pleasing, flexible, and environmentally friendly. By doing so, skyscrapers can become icons of the times once again, representing progress, innovation, and the potential for a brighter future.
