Building Tall: A Look at the Tallest Buildings Under Construction
There is something awe-inspiring about the tallest buildings under construction. From the creative minds of architects to the engineers who bring those visions to life, each new skyscraper represents a triumph of human innovation, creativity, and resilience.
There is a constant desire to create bigger and better structures, and skyscrapers represent the pinnacle of that desire. In this article, we will discuss the concept of tallest buildings under construction, the historical desire to create bigger and better structures, as well as the current tallest planned buildings.
The Historical Desire to Create Bigger and Better Structures
Human history is filled with tales of bigger and better structures. From the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the Great Wall of China, humans have always sought to build larger and more impressive structures.
However, it was only in the late 19th century that the idea of a skyscraper took hold. During that time, the technology and materials needed to construct tall structures became available, and people started to see the potential for creating towering buildings that could house more people, businesses, and institutions.
Factors Influencing the Construction and Success of Skyscrapers
The construction of a skyscraper is a complicated process that demands a lot of factors to be aligned so that it can be successful. The design phase, funds, political reasons, poor public reception, and low tenant occupation are some of the factors that can influence the success of a skyscraper.
The Design Phase: The design of a skyscraper is critical to its success. A good design should be safe, efficient, and able to accommodate the needs of its occupants.
Funds: The construction of a skyscraper is an expensive venture. It requires a lot of money to acquire the land, materials, and labor necessary to build such a structure.
Political Reasons: The construction of a skyscraper can be a politically charged issue. Sometimes, zoning laws, permits, or local regulations can affect the progress of a skyscraper project.
Poor Public Reception: Sometimes, the public may not accept a skyscraper project. The public may feel that the structure is too imposing or doesn’t fit well into the surrounding environment.
Low Tenant Occupation: The success of a skyscraper largely depends on the number of tenants who occupy it. A low occupancy rate can be detrimental to the financial health of the building.
The Current Tallest Planned Buildings
In recent years, there has been an exponential rate of development of supertall skyscrapers worldwide. This growth is attributed to the continuous urban development and the need to find space for more people in densely populated cities.
Forma Toronto:
Forma Toronto is set to be the tallest residential building in Canada, standing at 290 meters and will reside in Toronto’s coveted Yorkville neighborhood.
The Spiral:
The Spiral is a 66-story skyscraper currently under construction in New York City. The building will have a unique, spiraling design, with outdoor terraces and green spaces on every floor.
Waldorf Astoria Miami:
Waldorf Astoria Miami is a 98-story tower that will feature a hotel, residential and office space, and retail. The tower will rise to 1,049 feet and will be located in downtown Miami.
A District Tower: The
A District Tower is set to be the tallest building in Africa, standing at 390 meters. The skyscraper is being developed in Morocco and will have a mix of retail, office, and residential spaces.
Azrieli Tower: The
Azrieli Tower in Israel, with a height of 340 meters, will become the tallest building in the Middle East when completed. It’s set to have a mix of office, hotel, and residential spaces.
STH BNK By Beulah: STH BNK by Beulah is set to be Australia’s tallest skyscraper standing at 365 meters. The skyscraper is to have retail, office, and residential spaces.
Nanjing Greenland Jinmao International Financial Center: The
Nanjing Greenland Jinmao International Financial Center is a 79-story, 438-meter skyscraper currently under construction in Nanjing, China. It will serve as a mixed-use development with office, hotel, and retail spaces.
Merdeka 118:
Merdeka 118 is set to be the tallest building in Malaysia. The skyscraper will rise to 644 meters and will have retail, office, and residential spaces.
Jeddah Tower: The
Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia will stand at 1,007 meters and will become the world’s tallest building when completed. The skyscraper will have a combination of residential, hotel, and office spaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the idea of tallest buildings under construction continues to captivate the imagination of the world. With the continuous development of urban areas and the need to create space for more people, the construction of skyscrapers will continue.
Nevertheless, it is essential to ensure that skyscraper projects are well thought out, designed safely and efficiently, and do not negatively impact their surrounding environments and communities.
Detailed Descriptions of Selected Tallest Planned Buildings
The supertall skyscraper trend is rising, with more projects underway around the world. In this section, we will explore in detail some of the tallest planned buildings that will redefine city skylines in the coming years.
Forma Toronto
Forma Toronto is a residential structure designed by Frank Gehry that will transform the city’s Yorkville neighborhood. The tower is set to have two interconnected towers, one at 86 stories, and the other at 76, with a total height of 306 meters.
Gehry is known for his material schemes, and the building’s facade design will be an innovative play of curved glass, steel, and masonry. Forma will create spaces for luxury condos while incorporating a hotel and retail elements.
The Spiral
The Spiral is a commercial building designed by Bjarke Ingel located in New York City. With a staggering height of 325 meters and 66 stories, this tower boasts unique terraces to provide outdoor spaces for workers.
The Spiral has attracted high-profile companies with Pfizer announcing it will move its global headquarters to the building.
The Spiral’s design provides a unique view from the street level, with a facade continuously spiraling up to the top of the building.
Waldorf Astoria Miami
Waldorf Astoria Miami is a hotel and residential building currently under construction in downtown Miami, designed by Siguer Suarez Architects. The building is set to be 98 stories tall, standing at 1049 feet and will offer luxury residences integrated into the hotel.
This tower will have an innovative design, with a glass facade comprising horizontal and vertical elements, providing excellent views of the city from every angle. The building will also have high-end amenities, including a rooftop pool, spa, and fitness center.
A District Tower
A District Tower, set to become the tallest building in Africa, is a mixed-use building located in Morocco. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, the tower is set to stand at 390 meters and will have retail, luxury residence, research centers, and offices.
A District Tower’s design takes into consideration the earthquake-prone ground where it is being built and incorporates earthquake resistance measures on its foundation and structure.
Azrieli Tower
The
Azrieli Tower, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, is set to be the highest building in the Middle East when completed. The building will be 340 meters tall, with a spiraling glass facade, standing out as part of the Azrieli Center.
The tower will have mixed-use elements, such as hotel, residential, and office spaces. The building will also be home to a high-speed rail platform, providing another means of transportation for people in the area.
STH BNK By Beulah
STH BNK By Beulah is set to become Australia’s tallest skyscraper, standing at 365 meters. Designed by Cox Architecture, this mixed-use building will have twisting and interwoven designs and will provide retail, leisure, office, and residential spaces.
The tower has Green terraces and Botanic gardens, and a twisting design creates a unique feeling of movement in the structure that complements the surrounding landscape.
Nanjing Greenland Jinmao International Financial Center
This 79-story skyscraper, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, is currently under construction in Nanjing, China. The building is constructed to be a finance center with offices and hotels.
It is characterized by its structural arches that run from top to bottom. The building stands at 438 meters, and its construction had to consider the height restriction of the area.
Merdeka 118
Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
Merdeka 118 is set to become the country’s tallest building, reaching 644 meters in height. Fender Katsalidis designed the tower, which will have mixed-use elements such as hotels, retail spaces, office, and residential spaces.
The building will have observation decks and a glass facade offering stunning views of the city and beyond.
Merdeka 118 has drawn public criticism regarding the negative impact it will bring to the area, especially in terms of traffic congestion and noise pollution.
Jeddah Tower
Standing at 1,007 meters, the
Jeddah Tower will be the tallest building in the world upon completion. Designed by Adrian Smith, the building will have mixed-use elements such as offices, hotels, and residences.
However, the construction process has faced numerous challenges that led to delays and disputes. The acquisition of labor, the funding, and the complexity of the structural design present some of the expected hurdles until completion.
Challenges and Limitations of Building Very Tall Structures
As the race to build supertall skyscrapers continues, there are limitations in terms of footprint and foundations. The available ground space limits the size of the building footprint, while the foundation limitations dictate the depth of the building’s structure.
The design of the foundation must effectively support the weight of the building, which can be challenging when constructing very tall buildings. The complexity of the foundation design increases as the height of the building increases.
Building very tall structures also poses a challenge in terms of environmental impact and energy consumption. These structures require intensive energy resources and impact the environment, contributing to climate change.
The construction process also consumes natural resources, such as water and energy. The buildings’ mechanical systems need to be carefully designed to reduce their energy consumption, and alternative energy sources can be incorporated to supplement the energy needed to power the building.
Conclusion
Advancements in technology, innovative designs, and new building materials make constructing skyscrapers taller and taller possible. The current wave of the world’s tallest planned buildings is an illustration of this trend.
However, the limitation posed by the footprint and foundation design, environmental impact and energy consumption also remind us of the need to pursue sustainable solutions. It is vital to remember that building taller and better structures ought to be done while considering the environment, the community and long-term sustainability.
In conclusion, the concept of tallest buildings under construction represents the human desire to create bigger and better structures, which has been prevalent throughout history. Factors such as design phase, funds, politics, public reception, and tenant occupation significantly influence the success of these skyscraper projects.
The current tallest planned buildings showcase innovation and creativity, such as
Forma Toronto’s unique facade design and
The Spiral’s spiraling terraces. However, challenges and limitations, including footprint and foundation constraints, as well as environmental impact and energy consumption, highlight the need for sustainable approaches in constructing very tall structures.
As cities continue to grow, the construction of skyscrapers represents a constant strive for architectural excellence while considering the impact on the environment and surrounding communities.