HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Before we start, distinction must be made

between “high buildings” and “high-rise
buildings”:
 “high buildings” have only a few floors and
not uncommonly only one, albeit very high
floor. They are crowned by a high roof and
turrets (in the manner typical of medieval and
Gothic cathedrals).
 “High-rise buildings”, on the other hand, have
many, usually identical floors of normal height
one above the other e.g. Towers of San
Gimignano.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Seen in this light, high-rise buildings have

their origins in the towers of San Gimignano
rather than in the Tower of Babel

Tower of Babel Towers of San Gimignano

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Most early skyscrapers emerged in Chicago,

London, and New York during the end of the
19th century.
 After World War II, the Soviet Union planned
the construction of "Stalin Towers" for
Moscow.
 The rest of Europe began to permit
skyscrapers during the 50s starting with
Madrid in Spain.
 Finally, skyscrapers also began to appear in
Africa, the Middle East and Oceania from the
late 50s and early 60s.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 The first high-rise office building

was built in Chicago in 1885: the
Home Insurance Building.
 It has twelve floors – there were
originally ten, but two were
subsequently added – and was
built in roughly ighteen months.
 The architect W. L. B. Jenney used
an uncommon new method for the
construction of his building: the
weight of the walls was borne by a
framework of cast-iron columns
and rolled I-sections which were
bolted together via L-bars and the
entire “skeleton” embedded in the
masonry
The Home Insurance Building
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 The early Equitable Life Building in New York,

which was completed in 1872, contributed
towards the development of high-rise buildings, it
being the first tall building to have an elevator.
 Although it only had
lesser number of
floors, the edge of
the roof was no less
than 130 feet (roughly
38 m) above the road
surface.
 Due to its elevator,
the upperfloors were
in greater demand
Equitable Life Building in New York
than the lower floors.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Burnham and Root’s Monadnock

building, which was completed in
Chicago in 1891, must also be
mentioned as one of the last
witnesses of a whole generation of
solid masonry high-rise buildings.
 Sixteen floors of robust brick
masonry rise skywards in stern, clear
lines: an astonishing sight to eyes
accustomed to the frills and fancies
of the late 19th century.
 Standing on an oblong base
measuring 59 m 20 m, the building is
reminiscent of a thin slice it recalls
the industrial brick buildings of the
late 19th century, and anticipates the
formal simplification of the later
1920s. Monadnock Building,
Chicago
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 It was the rapid growth in population that

originally promoted the construction of high-
rise buildings. In New York from roughly half a
million in 1850, the city’s population grew to
1.4 million by 1899.
 The buildings rose higher and higher with the
spread of pioneering construction methods –
such as the steel skeleton or reliable deep
foundation methods – as well as the invention
and development of the elevator.
 More and more skyscrapers rose higher and
higher on the solid ground and, New York
demonstrated what was meant by “urban
densification”.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 The increase of the high of buildings came

together with the technological development.
 Before these inventions buildings of over six
stories were rare because the materials could
not support the weight and very impractical
for his habitants.
 Later, with development of the elevator and
water pumps the industry of skyscrapers has
been seen increasingly high in places.
 Modern skyscrapers are built with resistant
materials such as steel, glass, reinforced
concreted and granite.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Many of the techniques and materials which

are also used for “normal” buildings today
would never have been invented and would
never have become established if high-rise
construction had not presented a challenge in
terms of technical feasibility.

Gilbert said:
“A skyscraper is a machine that makes the land
pay.”
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Timeline of Structural Growth
Ancient Rome
 Seven-storey wooden tenement buildings of
timber and masonry construction.
 After the great fire of Nero, new brick and
concrete materials were used in the form of
arch and barrel vault structures.
 Masonry and timber the two leading materials
for the next eighteen centuries.
Chicago
 1891 16-story Monadnock Building reaches
the limits of masonry with 2 m thick walls.
 1885 11-story Home Insurance Building, the
first high-rise totally supported by a metal
frame (wrought iron).
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Timeline of Structural Growth

 1889 9-story Rand-McNally Building, first all

steel frame high-rise.
 1891 20-story Masonic Temple, diagonal
bracings introduced in the façade frames to
form vertical trusses.
New York
 1913 60-story Woolworth Building (considered
the world’s first “skyscraper”).
 1931 102-story Empire State Building (1,250 ft
tall).
 The golden age of American skyscraper
construction ended with the depression of the
1930s.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Timeline of Structural Growth

 It was not until several years after WW II that

skyscraper construction recommenced.
 Instead of increases in height, modern
developments brought new structural
systems, improved material qualities, and
better design and construction techniques.
 – It was not until 1970 that the Empire State
Building was eclipsed by the 110-story WTC
North Tower (1,353 ft), and then in 1974 by the
Sears Tower (1,450 ft).
The Timeline for the Growth
 MULTI-STOREYED BUILDINGS
IX Semester

NEED OF MULTI-STOREYED
DEVELOPMENTS
NEED OF HIGH RISE
DEVELOPMENT

 Connections to the infrastructure could be

improved by concentrating so many people in
a smaller consolidating area.
– The World Trade Center alone provides
jobs for over 50,000 people – that is the
equivalent of a medium-sized town. All
institutions of public life are united under a
single roof and the distances between them
have been minimized.
 Production and services acquired greater
economic significance throughout the world
and the price of land rose higher and higher in
economic centers after the Second World War
need began to grow vertically like in the Cities
in Europe and Asia.```
NEED OF HIGH RISE
DEVELOPMENT

 The reasons behind the historic city’s inability

to adapt itself to contemporary needs like
1- Decrease in population
2- Physical neglect
led to the need of high rise development.
Why Population decrease:-
 Raised standard of living and structural
changes in the family unit have led to an
increase in the amount of living (floor) space
required per person.
 The historical city’s lack of flexibility to
expand to cater to the increased space
requirements
As a result => Population decrease
NEED OF HIGH RISE
DEVELOPMENT
Implications of Population decrease:-
 In absence of residents volume the city
ceases to operate at its full capacity.
 The resultant loss of energy and magnetism
deprive the city of its natural impetus for
preservation and renewal.
This leads to neglect and urban decay.
Stigma
 The vicious circle may produce a stigma that
deepens the inferior image attached to the
city.
 The historic center may deteriorate, with its
inherent beauty and valuable heritage
potential buried beneath layers of neglect and
cannot emerge to display its former glory.
 MULTI-STOREYED BUILDINGS
IX Semester

METHODS OF MULTI-STOREYED
DEVELOPMENTS
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE

 High rise buildings may prove to be a life saver for

historic city core.
 However, if not carefully planned, a misguided decision
to incorporate high rise development, may turn out to
be one of the worst possible development scenarios.
 The decision on whether to introduce high rise
structures into historic city centers should consider
three major parameters:
1. Functional compatibility of the historic city fabric
with the needs of contemporary lifestyle - High Rise
Building as a solution
2. Planning and physical design compatibility of new
and old structures- A controversial challenge
3. Socio-economic suitability of high rise living to
potential residents (offices, households)- Adaptations
to socioeconomic conditions
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE

 A massive infusion of new floor space within

or around the limited available land in the
historical core breathes new life into the old
urban fabric.
 Effective high rise planning and building
nearby should promote urban recovery by
stimulating:
a) Improvement of city infrastructures
b) Parking and traffic solutions and other
related amenities.
c) Investment in real estate preservation and
renovation
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
Adapting historic centers to contemporary needs

 After heated debate, many important city

centers have opted to zone for high rise
building as the way to preserve the vitality of
historic centers and adapt them to
contemporary needs.
 Cities that have successfully achieved a
healthy mix of historic and new high rise
buildings, have done so by way of deliberate
strategy.
 Examples: Paris, Vancouver, Dublin, San
Francisco, Amsterdam,…
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

 The introduction of modern high volume high

rise buildings into core areas, presents a
controversial challenge as far as the design is
concerned.
 Historical centers comprise a delicate urban
fabric which must be preserved and upgraded.
 Cities that have successfully turned the
historic center into a modern and vibrant
urban fabric have shown remarkable acumen
in matters of planning and design.
 Example :- Paris, after trial and error, decided
to build the La Defense quarter which
ultimately saved the city.
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge
La Defence
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF La Defence
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge
La Defence
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

 The city of New York

long ago made a very
brave decisions
concerning the
integration of high rise
buildings into classic
town house streets.
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge
High rise buildings utilize less
land area and leave more space
for piazzas, landscaping, parks,
etc. and, if well designed, they
may create a harmonic addition
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
The winning Transbay
HIGH RISE terminal proposal by
“Planning and Design” the Challenge developer Hines and
architect Pelli &Clarke

In San Francisco:-
High rise
construction will be
changing the skyline
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

Incorporating new buildings into the city core

 Focus on weaving ground floor development
into the existing street level fabric to become
an organic extension and integral part of the
existing core.
 Alteration of the historic skyline should have
positive ramifications and provide pleasing
views.
 Special attention should be paid to other
planning considerations e.g. transport,
ecology.
THEY MUST BE BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE AND
REMARCABLE !
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

Besides..
 Focus Plans for high rise buildings must be
adaptable not only to the city and its sense of
place, but also to its “socio-economic
condition.”
i.e.
»High rise buildings must appeal
to potential users:
Offices
Dwellings
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

The advantage of high rise structures for offices:

 Improved quality of
work
 space - quiet, clean air,
view, lighting, etc.
 Concentration of office
and business activities
 Variety of spin-off
services
 Prestige (luxury,
location,landmark)
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH RISE
“Planning and Design” the Challenge

The advantage of high rise structures for dwellings:

 Reduced commuting
time and transportation
costs
 Increased use of public
transport facilities
 Centralized or
cooperative services to
meet specific needs of
residents (country
club, parking, etc.)
 Higher security
facilities.
But the Question is ……..

 ARE THERE ENOUGH POTENTIAL USERS

WITH FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO BENEFIT
FROM THE FULL RANGE OF HIGH RISE
ADVANTAGES?
 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INCREASE THE
DEMAND AND TO LOWER THE COSTS OF
HIGH RISE DWELLING?
The Answer is ……..

Adopting central high rise living aptitude

 The demand for high rise building is dependent
upon the public’s aptitude for understanding
and exploiting the quality of life advantages it
provides.
 Urban communities comprised of two salaried
families may enjoy the opportunities provided
by central high rise living.
 They may learn to develop and adopt new ideas
and ad hoc arrangements for central high rise
living that save them money and improve their
quality of life.
The Answer is ……..

 Densely populated high rise dwellings offer the

potential to reduce living costs.
 Cooperative services tailored to residents’
common needs are made viable like :
– Baby sitting services
– Catering and laundry services
– Health and fitness facilities
– Shared board rooms and entertaining
facilities
– Grocery and shopping services
“There are many ways to place new
buildings successfully alongside old
buildings, but what goes best with old
good architecture is new good
architecture.”

……..Osmond Overby