Designing Skyscrapers Against a Changing and Growing Backdrop
THURSDAY AUGUST 08, 2019
On the 25th and 26th of June in Melbourne, local and international experts came together for an inspiring discussion on where Australia is currently at, and where it should be going tall building wise, at the 3rd Australian Smart Skyscrapers Summit.
With networking sessions aplenty and 25+ keynote speeches and panel discussions on the agenda, event attendees took the opportunity to learn, share and connect with leading companies within the skyscrapers sector, in the pursuit of smarter, safer and more sustainable skyscrapers sprinkled across Australia’s increasingly populated skylines.
Cox Architecture Director Paul Curry opened the Summit with an exclusive look at the upcoming Melbourne Square precinct. Curry explained that the Southbank mixed-use development not only features six towers up to 73 levels high but builds upon Southbank’s strategic plan to create more green, open space within the neighbourhood in an effort to enhance social interaction and wellbeing for locals.
Scott Duncan, Design Partner at Skidmore Owings & Merrill followed Curry’s speech with an invigorating presentation on why high-rise buildings should ‘breathe’. Duncan, who flew from Chicago to present at the Summit, revealed that breathable building envelopes can improve sleep, microbial health and workplace productivity, while reducing fatigue and HVAC energy 7-15% per degrees Celsius.
Designing a supertall building as complexly designed as it is energy-efficient formed the overarching theme of Atkins Director Jason Hutchings’ speech on Vincom Landmark 81, Vietnam’s tallest building. Hutchings explained that though the building is fully glazed, its façade comprises of double glazed low-E coated glass, which reduces the amount of heat energy flowing through the glass.
The key design drivers of Vincom Landmark 81 were also examined, from its complex internal geometry and setbacks in façade and core creating an irregular perimeter for belt trusses, to the asymmetry of tower form and the fact that the structural module needed to match its architectural planning module of a 9m x 9m grid.
At times, the Summit diverged from focusing solely on the technical and architectural elements of quality, human-centric skyscraper design. Two panel discussions highlighted the importance that effective planning, policy and legislation can play in building and developing smarter, safer and more successful high-rises.
Catherine Hart, Design Manager at Mulpha Australia led a panel consisting of Vic Property Council Executive Director Cressida Wall, JLL Vic Managing Director David Bowden, Colliers International Residential Director Jozef Dickinson, and Matthew Khoo, Managing Director at ICD Property. The property names came together to discuss developing skyscrapers against an Australian backdrop filled with growing density, changing legislation, and technological advancements.
Among other valuable insights, the panel highlighted the importance of planning for density in a way that activates existing tall building infrastructure and incorporates collaborative planning.
Expotrade thanks each and every one of the speakers, sponsors, partners and contributors who helped shape the 3rd Australian Smart Skyscrapers Summit into the invigorating, future-focused event that it was.
