“Indeed, whether the shifts in wealth, corporate structure, architecture taste, technological innovation, and developments in urbanization take us, they take us to the skyscraper.”

- Elise Lemire

Perhaps the icon of 20th century American architecture, the rise of skyscraper architecture is one of the last hundred years’ greatest success stories. Until the end of the 19th century, buildings of over a few storeys were quite rare, but with the development of steel, reinforced concrete, technology of elevators and advanced plumbing, taller and taller buildings were possible.

But what is a skyscraper? The specific definition of a skyscraper varies from place to place, but it’s commonly accepted that the building is a continuously habitable high-rise building that has over 40 floors and is a height of at least 130 metres.

Sky scraper- the core idea

It was the understanding and advancements of building with steel and iron that allowed for skyscrapers to be born. More specifically, it was the Bessemer Process of mass steel bean production that truly made way for skyscrapers. Now that high-quality iron beams could be produced quicker and at a lower cost, all bets were off. Architects and builders could invent and dream of new buildings that didn’t seem possible before.

As skyscrapers became more possible and the first one was actually built city planners, architects and engineers were fascinated by the ability to fit more people into smaller spaces, to provide more housing – ideally – at a lower price.

Purpose

Aside from providing housing, skyscrapers help to reduce urban sprawl, add visual creativity to a skyline, and even impact the creativity and invention of those who live or work within the building.

Arguments for skyscrapers in urban environment:

1. Ability to accommodate large populations - Utilization of the vertical space in urban areas is the only way to accommodate the needs of this growing population.
2. Economic Globalization - An iconic tall building enhances the global image of the city.  
3. Urban Regeneration - Construction of new attractive high-rises can  beautify and revitalize dilapidated districts and neighborhoods within the urban core and surrounding areas.
4. Land Use and Preservation - High density structures help preserve open space such as: natural areas.
5. Climate Change and Energy Conservation - Although tall building require an enormous amount of energy to build, the long term advantages make them more energy efficient.
6. Infrastructure and Transportation - Vertically configured buildings facilitate more efficient infrastructure.
7. Emerging Technologies - Advancements in the areas of building service systems, computer sciences, facade engineering, glazing, daylight and heat control, structural framing systems, ceiling systems, lighting, ventilation, exit strategies and water recycling systems can all be attributed to skyscraper development.
8. Local Pride - Skyscrapers are also points of pride for a city and it's citizens.

Psychological impacts: The old age people and children will have psychological impact in living at high height.

Environmental impact : Pollution increases as lots of materials like steel, cement, etc. are used in the construction. Noise pollution due to large number of people and automobile.

Cost of construction: All the process involved are very expensive(design, construction). Safety : Hundred percent safety cannot be achieved in skyscraper. Defective towers may pose a risk of falling and cause severe damage.

Design and Construction:

Modern sources currently define skyscrapers as being at least 100 metres or 150 metres in height, though there is no universally accepted definition. Historically, the term first referred to buildings with between 10 and 20 stories when these types of buildings began to be constructed in the 1880s.Skyscrapers may host offices, hotels, residential spaces, and retail spaces.

One common feature of skyscrapers is having a steel framework that supports curtain walls. These curtain walls either bear on the framework below or are suspended from the framework above, rather than resting on load-bearing walls of conventional construction. Some early skyscrapers have a steel frame that enables the construction of load-bearing walls taller than of those made of reinforced concrete.

Modern skyscrapers often have a tubular structure, and are designed to act like a hollow cylinder to resist wind, seismic, and other lateral loads.Because each design is innovative, models of proposed super tall buildings are tested in wind tunnels to determine the effect of high wind on them, and also the effect on surrounding buildings of wind patterns caused by the new building. If tests show the building will sway excessively in strong winds, designers may add mechanical devices that counteract or restrict motion.

 “Because of its hugeness and intensiveness, the skyscraper is analogues to the city itself. It is virtually a city in itself, that is a 'city-in-the-sky.'’ - The concrete Society

Conclusion: 

“Sky is the limit” foremost learning of the project. The competition for the tallest is never going to end. More ambitious projects are coming up around the world including World One in Mumbai. The greed to make the tallest has compromised the need to make a safe skyscraper. The need for Green Skyscraper is immense to reduce impact on the environment. New generation engineers have a lot to innovate and make skyscrapers green and safe.

Written By-

Prapti Vaidya

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