• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2015

As the predominant mode of vertical urban development in China, mixed-use complexes provide the optimal case for the research of sustainable and vertical urbanism. This paper reviews three typical mixed-use complexes with various vertical space systems in Shanghai via the combination of field observation, questionnaires and software analysis. It then proceeds to determine which vertical space system is most effective for encouraging sustainable vertical urban development from the perspective of spatial efficiency. Finally, it concludes with an evaluation of the relative capabilities of the design features of a mixed-use complex: to create external dimensional-connections, to create multiple internal connections, and to organize overall composite functions.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2020

While tall buildings are an essential building type to accommodate an ever-growing urban population, as buildings become taller and taller, many design challenges arise. As floor spaces are repeated vertically, the occupants' natural horizontal circulation-based social interactions are limited. As buildings become ever taller, safe evacuation to the ground level becomes more challenging in emergencies. With respect to safety as well as serviceability, one of the most fundamental design challenges of exceedingly tall buildings is their structural systems that make the physical existence of tall buildings possible. While many different design solutions can be sought to resolve these issues as well as other design challenges of extremely tall buildings, this paper investigates the potential of conjoined towers to create more livable and sustainable vertical environments. Emphasis is placed on the social and structural capabilities of conjoined towers in providing enhanced social interactions and more efficient ultra-tall structures. The related brief history of conjoined towers is presented. To understand their current status, contemporary design practices of conjoined towers are discussed. Lastly, a new concept of superframed conjoined towers developed for exceedingly tall building complexes is introduced through design studies. Though envisioning future tall buildings is challenging, conjoined towers can be among the strong candidates toward more livable and sustainable vertical urbanism.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2016

As the great urban migration continues to drive the growth of cities worldwide, global companies are seeking new approaches to the urban workplace and corporate campus. In light of environmental and economic imperatives to develop taller and denser central business districts, a key challenge is merging contemporary workplace concepts, which emphasize large, open floors and high levels of connectivity, with high-rise typologies with smaller floor plates set around center cores. This paper traces the evolution of the corporate campus and emerging design strategies for translating contemporary workplace models into a vertical campus typology that allows companies to realize the benefits of urban locations, while contributing to a more sustainable future.