High Rise Building Design: Key Principles and Best Practices

Have you ever wondered what is the secret behind the stability of tall buildings? Definitely, there are many additional loads to be considered while designing. Engineers with their expertise in determining structural stability and calculating lateral loads develop a robust high-rise building.

Read on to discover the ultimate guide to high-rise building design.

What is Meant by a High-Rise Building"?

From a real estate development standpoint, the most accepted definition is that of a structure at least 75 feet tall. More evidence of the complexities associated with high-rises is shown by various regulations - for instance, passenger lifts are mandatory for buildings above four stories, and firefighting apparatus are obligatory for structures of more than seven stories. Furthermore, seismic calculations are often needed for such an edifice erected in an earthquake-prone location, or on soils with certain geotechnical characteristics. 

In India, it can depend on the city as to how high a building can be, owing to the infrastructure required in terms of waste management, firefighting, and other utilities.

Considerations for High-Rise Building Design

The following is a list of high-rise building design guides that must be taken into account to meet customer expectations:

• Site Evaluation and Compliance with Regulations

Before embarking on a building venture, familiarize yourself with the site's compliance regulations and geological makeup. Ensure that the building layout adheres to local building height allowances, meets the city's design criteria, and is LEED compliant. Moreover, assess the area's geological characteristics such as strain on soil, groundwater movements, etc. to determine the capacity of the parcel to bear weight.

• Structural Stability

To ensure structural soundness, one must certify the structural solidity and load-bearing elements in the building. Protecting its stability, particularly the vertical and horizontal load-bearing components, should be a priority since a disaster destroying some of those elements could detrimentally affect the entire edifice. If there are any discrepancies during the design process, they should be addressed on the spot with the help of a civil engineer, whose expertise and leadership would prove invaluable in managing the design through a computer-aided design (CAD) suite.

• MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing)

MEP infrastructure may be one of the most complicated interior design aspects in high-rise building design. MEP systems, in general, include the following:

• Elevators
• Lighting
• Telecommunications Infrastructure 
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 
• Fire Protection 
• Water Supply & Management

To transport air to each level and room of the structure, an HVAC system, for example, will require a ducting system. In addition, you must link the HVAC system to the electrical and water supply/management systems.

• Energy Conservation

When tasked with earning LEED certification, identifying ways of reducing electricity and water consumption is essential. The most prominent energy consumer is the HVAC system, which can take up 39% of a building's total energy. To lower expenditures, one can turn to UFAD-based systems, capable of dropping energy requirements by up to 30%. This is accomplished by introducing air at the floor level, which is closer to the occupant.

• Environmental Friendliness & Sustainability

Through the utilization of an efficient HVAC system as well as other energy-saving options, such as taking advantage of natural light, the green standing of your building can be greatly improved. Automatically, this will reduce the amount of electricity and water used. To take it a step further, you can make an even bigger environmental impact by being conscious of who your suppliers are and what materials are being used; recycled steel and insulated concrete forms are two great sustainable alternatives.

• Occupant Satisfaction

Maximizing occupant comfort requires an effective HVAC solution. UFAD-based HVAC systems, for instance, warm the room by introducing warm air near the floor. This eliminates the need for occupants to crank up noisy fans to stay warm. Furthermore, HVAC systems with ductwork actively eliminate pollutants from the space while providing fresh air. In sum, good indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic comfort can all be achieved through an appropriate HVAC system.

• Appeal to the Eye

The visual appearance of the building's facade can be improved by using the right design and materials. Additionally, if access floors are utilized, the interior of the building can have more free space due to the HVAC ductwork, electrical wiring, and cables being hidden in the floors. It is evident that the HVAC feature is an integral part of the design of a high-rise structure, yet incorporating these systems into the blueprints can be troublesome. Therefore, it is important to take preventative measures so that your building endeavor will not experience any setbacks or possess a high monetary expense.

Overall, designing high-rise buildings comes with a set of unique challenges. Through the right planning and preparation, these projects can be successful and comfortable for the occupants. The above considerations for high-rise building design should be taken into account to develop and construct a safe, secure, and sustainable facility.

Conclusion

High-rise building design is an ever-evolving field that requires immense innovation, technical skill, and experience. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, consider the PG Program in High-Rise Building offered by Skill-Lync.

Talk to our experts to get a walk through into the course curriculum.