It always blows near skyscrapers, and the sun burns through the upper floors: 5 myths about high-rise construction

The construction of modern high-rise buildings is shrouded in many myths. Some doubt their durability, while others believe that the standard of living is falling with the advent of skyscrapers, but the wind is rising throughout the area. Which of this is true, and which is just speculation? On the eve of the VIIIth International Construction Forum and the 100+ TechnoBuild exhibition, Philip Nikandrov, Chief Architect and head of the GORPROEKT design team, is responsible.

Myth 1. Modern "concrete boxes" will fall into disrepair as quickly as Soviet houses.

Most Soviet buildings were built using the most economical technology of prefabricated large-panel construction, which was designed for only a few decades. High-quality buildings made of monolithic reinforced concrete can last for centuries, as such structures only gain strength over time, although they will need renovation of the facade shell and engineering equipment due to their wear and tear.

Myth 2. It is too hot on the upper floors of tall buildings because of the large amount of glass.

The specific glazing area may well take into account the orientation of the building relative to the cardinal directions and the position of the sun. However, modern technologies for effective protection exist to minimize heat input from solar radiation into rooms, even with solid glazing of facades. These are, for example, kinetic facades with automatic shading, double-glazed windows integrating sun protection, and others. The so–called "green architecture" focuses on creating buildings that do not waste energy on combating overheating from sunlight, but rather receive additional energy from them.

Myth 3. High-rise buildings negatively affect people's psychological health.

Indeed, some people are afraid of heights and never settle in skyscrapers, but most appreciate high-rise buildings with wonderful panoramas, better natural light and sunlight, cleaner air and a quieter environment due to their greater distance from urban highways. The higher cost of space in skyscrapers, in comparison with buildings of medium and low storeys, undoubtedly proves their high demand.

Myth 4. Constant wind is a prerequisite for living among high–rise buildings.

Higher wind loads at ground level between tall buildings due to turbulence occur when designers do not calculate in advance the conditions of wind comfort for pedestrians and do not take any measures to protect them. Meanwhile, such events will include planting trees, installing protective screens and canopies, adjusting the shapes of buildings, etc. At the stage of blowing a building model in a wind tunnel, certain activities are worked out by full-scale modeling on a reduced scale.

Myth 5. With the advent of high-rise buildings, population density is increasing and living standards are falling.

The most expensive real estate in the world is concentrated in the highest-rise part of Manhattan, and the standard of living of owners and tenants of residential and office skyscrapers is rather a matter of envy. The same applies to Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and many other megacities of the world, where the standard of living of the population is steadily increasing along with the growth of high-rise buildings.

More information about the engineering, architectural and other features of high-rise and other buildings will be available at the 100+ TechnoBuild forum and exhibition, which will be held in Yekaterinburg from October 5 to 7, 2021.