Peter A. Weismantle FAIA, RIBA – Director of Supertall Building Technology, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture LLP

What exciting developments are taking place at AS+GG in relation to tall buildings?

PAW: The most exciting project is always the one you are currently working on so that would have to be a development that we are designing for Dubai that will consist of seven tall buildings, two of which will be supertalls. We are also very lucky to be working on challenging supertall projects in India, Russia and China. Being located in Chicago, the measure of tallness has traditionally been the Sears (now Willis) Tower. We currently have three buildings under construction that, when completed, will all be taller than Sears.

Where do you think the future of high-rise buildings lies?

PAW: If you mean geographically, China and the Middle East are the current hot spots, but obviously Australia and Southeast Asia are coming on strong. If you mean metaphorically, the future of high-rise buildings is the necessity for us to learn how to create sustainable, urbanistic and connected communities.

What advancements in materials and technologies have allowed supertall buildings to improve?

PAW: Directly related to tall buildings, there has been a lot of progress recently on vertical transportation systems. Composite material light-weight rope by Kone, has greatly increased the feasible heights of elevators and rope-less technology being developed by Thyssen Krupp has exciting possibilities in improved efficiencies as well as opens the possibility for both vertical and horizontal movement. Other developments in materials such as high performance, selective coatings for glass, high strength concrete and composite materials are all very exciting.

What technologies/innovations/designs in Jeddah Tower and Burj Khalifa would work well in the Australian context?

PAW: Perhaps another way to pose the question is to ask what technologies / innovations / designs are appropriate to apply in the Australian context. Obviously certain design processes have universal application such as site analysis, climate, and geotechnical considerations; but should always result in a solution appropriate for the physical conditions. Other aspects such as technology, local labor markets and construction logistics will follow another path, but the goal is always appropriate application and optimization.

How do the technical requirements differ for skyscrapers in different regions? What factors drive these differences?

PAW: The most obvious drivers are local climate and geologic conditions, local building regulations and local practices.

What design elements/factors will be crucial for the new generation of high-rise buildings to achieve commercial success in the Australian context?

PAW: The key to commercial success, from a technical standpoint, is to design the building in such a way as to minimize the time it takes to construct it. When you consider that the time it takes to construct a project like Burj Khalifa is measured in years, not months, even a small percentage reduction is big money.

Thank You

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