Short answer
When designing tapered super-tall towers, aim for a space efficiency of around 72% and consider a central core design that occupies approximately 26% of the gross floor area, often utilizing outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Buildings (2023)
- Method
- Case Study Analysis
- Sample
- 40 case studies
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Tapered super-tall towers, a prevalent architectural trend, demonstrate an average space efficiency of 72%, with core area typically comprising 26% of the gross floor area. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Buildings. Using Case study analysis with 40 case studies, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing tapered super-tall towers, aim for a space efficiency of around 72% and consider a central core design that occupies approximately 26% of the gross floor area, often utilizing outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
Tapered Super-Tall Towers Achieve 72% Average Space Efficiency
Tapered super-tall towers, a prevalent architectural trend, demonstrate an average space efficiency of 72%, with core area typically comprising 26% of the gross floor area.
Buildings · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Average space efficiency of tapered super-tall towers is approximately 72%.
- 02The ratio of core area to gross floor area averages around 26%.
- 03Central core designs are common, often for mixed-use towers.
- 04Outriggered frame systems and composite materials are prevalent structural choices.
- 05Function and load-bearing systems showed no significant impact on space efficiency.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing tapered super-tall towers, aim for a space efficiency of around 72% and consider a central core design that occupies approximately 26% of the gross floor area, often utilizing outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
How to apply
Use the average space efficiency (72%) and core area ratio (26%) as benchmarks when designing or evaluating tapered super-tall towers. Consider the prevalence of central cores and outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
Project actions
- 01When analyzing existing buildings, measure the gross floor area and the area of the central core to calculate space efficiency.
- 02Consider how the shape of a building affects its internal layout and usable space.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Analysis of a significant number of case studies (40).
- +Focus on a specific and trending architectural typology (tapered super-tall towers).
Limitations
The study didn't find a strong link between building function and space efficiency, which might mean other factors are more important or that the link is more complex.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is supported by a substantial sample size of 40 case studies. Validity is enhanced by focusing on quantifiable metrics like space efficiency and core area ratios within a specific building typology.
Think critically
How might the 'mixed-use' purpose of many tapered towers influence the optimal size and placement of the central core, and could this impact overall space efficiency in ways not captured by this study?
Design Principles
"Optimize building form and internal layout to maximize usable space within structural and functional constraints."
Understanding the space efficiency of tapered super-tall towers is crucial for optimizing building design and resource utilization. This insight can inform decisions about core placement, structural systems, and material choices, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and functional urban developments.
What This Means for Your Design
Tall buildings that get narrower as they go up are usually about 72% usable space, with the central part (the core) taking up about 26% of the space. Designers often use a central core for different uses and strong frame structures with modern materials.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the space efficiency of your own design, especially if it's a tall building or has a tapered form.
- 2.Use the findings as a benchmark to compare your design's space efficiency against.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research into tapered super-tall towers indicates an average space efficiency of approximately 72%, with core areas typically constituting around 26% of the gross floor area. This suggests that well-designed tapered forms can effectively balance structural requirements with usable space, a critical factor in sustainable architectural practice.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about tapered super-tall towers achieve 72% average space efficiency?
- When designing tapered super-tall towers, aim for a space efficiency of around 72% and consider a central core design that occupies approximately 26% of the gross floor area, often utilizing outriggered frame systems with composite materials. Evidence: Buildings (2023).
- Why does "Tapered Super-Tall Towers Achieve 72% Average Space Efficiency" matter for design?
- Understanding the space efficiency of tapered super-tall towers is crucial for optimizing building design and resource utilization. This insight can inform decisions about core placement, structural systems, and material choices, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and functional urban developments.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing tapered super-tall towers, aim for a space efficiency of around 72% and consider a central core design that occupies approximately 26% of the gross floor area, often utilizing outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
- What were the main findings?
- Average space efficiency of tapered super-tall towers is approximately 72%.. The ratio of core area to gross floor area averages around 26%.. Central core designs are common, often for mixed-use towers.. Outriggered frame systems and composite materials are prevalent structural choices.
- What research method was used?
- Case Study Analysis with 40 case studies.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Buildings.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Use the average space efficiency (72%) and core area ratio (26%) as benchmarks when designing or evaluating tapered super-tall towers. Consider the prevalence of central cores and outriggered frame systems with composite materials.
- What are the limitations?
- The study did not find significant differences in the influence of function and load-bearing systems on space efficiency, which might warrant further investigation into more nuanced relationships.