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Are you a fan of high-rise architecture? Multistorey buildings have been seen as the icons of modern cities. Famous cities are often recognised through their skyscrapers. However, today's high-rise architecture industry is quite different from the one you may have known a decade ago.
To catch up with the ever-changing world of high-rise development, we have put together a list of the top five trends in this industry. Let's examine how these trends have modernised the landscape!
Pencil towers, as the name suggests, are skyscrapers that are considered slender by conventional standards of high-rise architecture. These towers usually have a 1:10 width-to-height ratio.
The reason why such skyscrapers have gained so much popularity is due to the boost in the prices of real estate in modern cities. These slender towers are the perfect solution for architects to maximise the available space without compromising on their artistic vision.
However, the world's most slender skyscraper is the Steinway Tower in New York City, with 84 storeys and a width-to-height ratio of around 1:24. Additionally, another marvel of the Steinway Tower is its use of terracotta blocks, which allow it to appear colour-changing when viewed from different angles.
If you wish to look for these high-rise trends closer to home, then there is also a Pencil Tower Hotel in Sydney with a 1:16 width-to-height ratio and 27 storeys.
Glass facades have been a trend of the past and are still quite relevant after all these years. Such architectural wonders are especially loved due to their eye-catching designs and well-lit interiors. Additionally, they also provide a scenic 360-degree view of the city landscape.
These attributes have made such structures so adored that eight out of the top ten tallest buildings have glass facades. In fact, the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, is wrapped in a glass facade from which you can view the entire skyline of Dubai.
Another example of glass facades is the Crown Hotel in Sydney, which has a geometrical and striking design. This skyscraper towers to a remarkable height of 271.3 meters and 75 floors.
Contemporary architecture refers to the ultra-modern style of building design with an added touch of smart home technology. These buildings tend to have non-conventional structures that prioritise energy efficiency and are filled to the brim with innovative tech solutions for everyday convenience.
These types of skyscrapers forgo the traditional boxy design and opt for a more contemporary circular or arch structure. Two good examples of such multistorey buildings include the Shanghai Tower, with its twisting glass facade and the Chengdu Co-Innovation and Cooperation Center, with its two asymmetric crescent designs.
The many benefits of living in a high-rise with smart home technology make them the perfect residential solution for highly populated cities. The smart tech allows for enhanced security, remote monitoring of your property, and health monitoring through temperature regulation and air circulation.
Sky Bridges may sound like a dystopian term, but it is very much a reality when it comes to modern architecture. Initially invented by the late architect Les Park in the late 1950s, sky bridges have never truly gone out of style. Not only do they add structural stability, but they also present a great solution to save space in highly populated cities.
These bridges act as connectors so that people can move between two or three skyscrapers without having to go all the way down to exit and then enter a new building each time. A great example of such an architectural structure is Collins Arch, located in the city of Melbourne in Australia.
This skyscraper was designed to maximise sunlight for residential, office, and hotel occupants staying within the two neighbouring buildings. The sky bridge is around 14 meters long, while the skyscraper itself has a considerable height of around 148 meters.
If you are an eco-conscious individual, then you will be happy to know about the architectural phenomenon of hydroponic farming. This type of integration between agriculture and architecture answers the age-old question of "Are high-rise apartments good for the environment?" with a resounding yes!
Hydroponics employs vertical farming with water-based, mineral nutrient solutions to grow veggies, fruits, and grains on the outer walls of the skyscraper. Not only do these systems keep the interior cool, but they also add to the beauty of the structure.
The walls in such a building are lined with an insulating material to prevent the roots of these plants from negatively affecting the structural integrity of the skyscraper. An example of such a skyscraper is the Jian Mu Tower in China, which can produce around 270 tonnes of food every year.
High-rise architecture has come a long way over the years, from slender pencil towers to eco-friendly hydroponic farming. High-rise buildings have become more than just structures that provide shelter; they are now visually stunning works of art that serve multiple purposes.
Whether you're a fan of contemporary architecture or a lover of traditional boxy designs, the world of high-rise architecture has something to offer for everyone. So, if you are looking to experience high-end luxury, consider contacting Astrid, a castle hill development company, to be your golden ticket to modern high-rise architecture!
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