Five generations of Tall Buildings: Environmental

Five generations of Tall Buildings: Environmental analysis. Historically, Tall Buildings have been classified by size, structural developments, aesthetic fashions (Eclectic, Modernist, Postmodern etc) etc.
 
In this time of climate change awareness, it's time we reclassified them according to Environmental performance. This presentation is by Phil Oldfield and Dario Trabucco for the Dubai 'Tall and Green' conference March 2008. if you hear the lecture given, you will find this the best way to understand the progressive development of skyscrapers, and understand why we don't have black slab skyscrapers any more.




FIRST Generation: vertical extrapolation of site filling buildings. Thickwall, natural ventilation, poor lighting, main energy consumption from heating and elevators. (e.g. Equitable building)
  
SECOND Generation: New York zoning regulations on daylighting for buildings and their neighbours and for the streets below created a period of 'wedding cake' structures, reducing towards the sky (e.g. Empire State).
  
THIRD Generation: Post war Miesian glazed skyscrapers with dark glass to reduce solar gain, but dark enough to require constant lighting. Air conditioned, deeper plans (e.g. Seagram, Lever, Sears)
  
FOURTH Generation: Following energy crises of 70s, became more energy aware: double glazed, curtain walling with more insulation, return of the 'wall', clearer glass, energy efficient lifts. BUT still reliant on airconditioning and too much glass.
  
FIFTH Generation: Double skin facade or triple glazing, shallower plan for natural daylight; atria and openings for natural and mixed-mode ventilation, solar shading, wind and solar energy generation and heat reclaim on site, skycourts, mixed use, building management systems. (e.g. Commerzbank)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Tall
• Buildings
• skyscrapers
• Environmental
• Oldfield
• Trabucco
• History
• Bioclimatic
• design

[patrykbochenek]

Interesting, it's only too bad you didn't put proper commentary instead of music.

[dnicholsoncole]

As promised on the tin, this helps me to rethink the whole history of Tall Buildings. Thankyou!!

In future we must only build in the Fifth Generation manner.