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Supertall: How the World's Tallest Buildings Are Reshaping Our Cities and Our Lives
We are living in a new urban age, and its most tangible expression is the “supertall”: megastructures that are dramatically bigger, higher, and more ambitious than any in history.
Cities around the world are racing to build the first mile-high building, stretching the limits of engineering and design as never before.
In this fascinating work of urban history and design, TED resident Stefan Al—himself an experienced architect—explores the factors that have led to this worldwide boom. He reveals the marvelous and underappreciated feats of engineering that make today’s supertalls a reality, from double-decker elevators that silently move up to 50 miles per hour to the sophisticated blend of polymers and steel fibers that enables concrete to withstand 8,000 tons of pressure per square meter. Taking readers behind the scenes of the building and design of remarkable megastructures, both from the past (the Empire State Building, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower) and the present (Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, London’s Shard, Shanghai Tower), Al demonstrates the impact of these innovations.
Yet while the supertall is undoubtedly a testament to great technological victories, it can come at an environmental and social cost. Focusing on four global cities—London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore—Al examines the risks of wealth inequality, carbon emissions, and contagion that stem from supertalls. And he uncovers the latest innovations in sustainable building, from skyscrapers made of wood to tree-covered buildings, that promise to yield a better urban future.
Featuring more than thirty architectural drawings, Supertall is both a fascinating exploration of our greatest accomplishments and a powerful argument for a more equitable way forward.
Cities around the world are racing to build the first mile-high building, stretching the limits of engineering and design as never before.
In this fascinating work of urban history and design, TED resident Stefan Al—himself an experienced architect—explores the factors that have led to this worldwide boom. He reveals the marvelous and underappreciated feats of engineering that make today’s supertalls a reality, from double-decker elevators that silently move up to 50 miles per hour to the sophisticated blend of polymers and steel fibers that enables concrete to withstand 8,000 tons of pressure per square meter. Taking readers behind the scenes of the building and design of remarkable megastructures, both from the past (the Empire State Building, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower) and the present (Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, London’s Shard, Shanghai Tower), Al demonstrates the impact of these innovations.
Yet while the supertall is undoubtedly a testament to great technological victories, it can come at an environmental and social cost. Focusing on four global cities—London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore—Al examines the risks of wealth inequality, carbon emissions, and contagion that stem from supertalls. And he uncovers the latest innovations in sustainable building, from skyscrapers made of wood to tree-covered buildings, that promise to yield a better urban future.
Featuring more than thirty architectural drawings, Supertall is both a fascinating exploration of our greatest accomplishments and a powerful argument for a more equitable way forward.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2022
51 people are currently reading
1855 people want to read
About the author
Stefan Al
22 books17 followersStefan Al, is an architect, urban designer, professor and the author of SUPERTALL. As a designer he has worked on masterplans and mixed-use buildings across the globe, including the 2000-feet tall Canton Tower, briefly the world's tallest tower. In addition, he served as an advisor to various city governments and expert to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
SUPERTALL is about the new generation of skyscrapers — why they're here, how they’re made, and what they do to cities and people.
Stefan's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and TED Talks. Over the years, he has published eight books on subjects related to architecture and urban design, which have been widely praised. He is committed to train the next generation of designers, having served as a professor at Virginia Tech, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Hong Kong.
A native of The Netherlands, he is a licensed architect in New York. He holds a PhD in urban planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
SUPERTALL is about the new generation of skyscrapers — why they're here, how they’re made, and what they do to cities and people.
Stefan's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and TED Talks. Over the years, he has published eight books on subjects related to architecture and urban design, which have been widely praised. He is committed to train the next generation of designers, having served as a professor at Virginia Tech, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Hong Kong.
A native of The Netherlands, he is a licensed architect in New York. He holds a PhD in urban planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 2, 2022
Being let’s say somewhat cynical about this subject, I was entirely prepared to dislike this book. Stefen Al is an architect, urban planner and educator. To me, this sort of architecture is all about social engineering and a heavy dose of artistic arrogance. Ouch. I was so wrong about this book. It was fantastic! Although the author is obviously very enthusiastic about his subject, he is very fair about showing many sides of the story.
His book is about the “Supertall” buildings going up around the world as well as a very good history of how we’ve got to this point with ordinarily tall predecessors. We obviously need to be prepared for this future. In 1996 there were only 4 supertalls (over 300 meters or 984 feet in height). Today there are more than 170.
The author demonstrates how technological change as well as human desire made these structures possible. Currently the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (remember Tom Cruise and his movie stunts there) is the tallest in the world at 2,722 feet high. On the other side of the Arabian peninsula is the not completed, maybe never to be completed Jeddah Tower (plagued with finance problems and scandals) that is to be 2/3 of a mile high. It’s ALL about the Ego admits it’s project leader.
The author is very enthusiastic about new buildings developing technology that address issues like carbon emissions, global warming, social connections, and economic growth. Unfortunately (and he points this out very plainly) we’re not there yet. These projects have enormous impact in negative ways. His theory is that each tall building in history has taught something valuable and it’s up to the next building to fix the issues.
Some things to work on: carbon footprint, energy use, the towering over of historic buildings and neighbors, stresses of people living in such spaces, the service life of these monsters and how to take them down in say 100 years, the possibility of creating targets (especially in financial buildings such as The World Trade Center and perhaps most criminally in many locations—how do the non-elite fit in? Are their homes swept away, are they discouraged by spiked seats not to hang around? At present in many spots, only the Uber rich can live in these exclusive towers.
For a needed light spot, my favorite chapter dealt with the nicknamed buildings of London such as The Shard, The Razor, The Gherkin (that one I like), The Armadillo, and everyone’s favorite to hate on, The Walkie Talkie. That building was the 2016 Carbuncle Cup winner for ugliest building in the UK. Light directed on the pavement below can fry an egg, melt plastic in parked cars and wind movements below it famously knocked over a truck which unfortunately killed a pedestrian.
Extremely crowded city conditions have called for Supertalls in areas such as China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Creative things have been done there but carbon footprint is still outrageous and they depend on food and supply sources that are questionable. Is disaster waiting to happen? Are we going to be condemned to live under big brother’s eye, is life like Blade Runner in our future? Will we live entirely indoors going from mall, to work, to our high, high, high rise homes never to be in fresh air or see vertical trees? Dystopia around the corner?
How does our desire for minimalist living go with these maximal buildings? There are so many ideas in this book it makes my head spin. Very recommended!
His book is about the “Supertall” buildings going up around the world as well as a very good history of how we’ve got to this point with ordinarily tall predecessors. We obviously need to be prepared for this future. In 1996 there were only 4 supertalls (over 300 meters or 984 feet in height). Today there are more than 170.
The author demonstrates how technological change as well as human desire made these structures possible. Currently the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (remember Tom Cruise and his movie stunts there) is the tallest in the world at 2,722 feet high. On the other side of the Arabian peninsula is the not completed, maybe never to be completed Jeddah Tower (plagued with finance problems and scandals) that is to be 2/3 of a mile high. It’s ALL about the Ego admits it’s project leader.
The author is very enthusiastic about new buildings developing technology that address issues like carbon emissions, global warming, social connections, and economic growth. Unfortunately (and he points this out very plainly) we’re not there yet. These projects have enormous impact in negative ways. His theory is that each tall building in history has taught something valuable and it’s up to the next building to fix the issues.
Some things to work on: carbon footprint, energy use, the towering over of historic buildings and neighbors, stresses of people living in such spaces, the service life of these monsters and how to take them down in say 100 years, the possibility of creating targets (especially in financial buildings such as The World Trade Center and perhaps most criminally in many locations—how do the non-elite fit in? Are their homes swept away, are they discouraged by spiked seats not to hang around? At present in many spots, only the Uber rich can live in these exclusive towers.
For a needed light spot, my favorite chapter dealt with the nicknamed buildings of London such as The Shard, The Razor, The Gherkin (that one I like), The Armadillo, and everyone’s favorite to hate on, The Walkie Talkie. That building was the 2016 Carbuncle Cup winner for ugliest building in the UK. Light directed on the pavement below can fry an egg, melt plastic in parked cars and wind movements below it famously knocked over a truck which unfortunately killed a pedestrian.
Extremely crowded city conditions have called for Supertalls in areas such as China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Creative things have been done there but carbon footprint is still outrageous and they depend on food and supply sources that are questionable. Is disaster waiting to happen? Are we going to be condemned to live under big brother’s eye, is life like Blade Runner in our future? Will we live entirely indoors going from mall, to work, to our high, high, high rise homes never to be in fresh air or see vertical trees? Dystopia around the corner?
How does our desire for minimalist living go with these maximal buildings? There are so many ideas in this book it makes my head spin. Very recommended!
August 3, 2022
I enjoy reading about the history of a notable building but in this case, Al has researched and provided a fascinating look into what makes these supertall buildings possible and all the mechanical wonders that enable us to enjoy them. Originally, constructed for single-use - be it office or residential - these tall and supertalls buildings are moving towards a mixed use of office, residential, hotel, shopping, and community activity areas.
There are 36 architectural renderings of several of the supertall buildings from across the world and certainly they give an idea of the appearance of these icons of heights but investigating in an actual photo (or dozen) would be better.
Anyway, our old friend Roman concrete and eventually reinforced concrete - with steel and as buildings get taller, other items as well as the chemical mixture changes. Unfortunately, the world is working on covering itself with concrete and the construction industry's use of the material does produce CO2 which, in turn, adds to the concentration affecting climate change.
Elevators is the easiest way to get up these supertalls and the average one moves people at 14 mph although the fastest is currently running at 47 mph. Research in the proverbial 'wonkavator' - one that moves sideways - is being done and it will be a magnetic lift.
Wind effects are a major consideration as the higher the building the further it will sway in high winds - to the point that residents are nauseated by the movement. Thus tuned mass dampeners in the upper floors.
And then there is HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), which requires mechanical floors - not accessible to the public - every 20-30 floors for this equipment and water pumps.
Those are the mechanicals that need to be considered. But what also needs to be considered is the public response. Skylines need to be considered, especially in Europe where historical views are protected by height regulations in London and other cities. Originally, no building was to be higher than safety fire ladders. The first building regulations were written by Hammurabi circa 1754 BCE while ancient Egypt ruins from ~2500 BCE have the first recognized city plans. Grid patterns were used in ancient Greece, 26th -century BCE Indus Valley and 15th-century BCE China. And public squares can be blamed on the Romans.
Then there is the buying of air rights over NYC as developers 'buy' the rights to build over historic and/or buildings that are not planned for additional floors. The actual air rights over personal/private property is 'within range of actual occupation' or air travel would be impossible. As those above mechanical floors do not count in NYC as floors (makes you really wonder what floor you really are residing on when you're staying at a high-rise hotel), they enable the building to thrust higher - especially for multi-million-dollar penthouse apartments and the views out those windows.
Hong Kong is noted for having addresses by the mass transit station, not the street. From home -work - shopping due to subway and elevated footbridges, residents may never need to go outside.
Tiny Singapore is over 50% + green even with over 6,000 high-rises featuring green walls and roof gardens
So it looks like tall and supertall buildings are here to stay and will continue to break height records. On one hand, cities and construction costs result in heavy amounts of pollutants and yet, they are also the most sustainable with more people within, reducing urban sprawl and excessive infrastructure like roads.
On the disturbing side, sensors are being added for the monitoring and optimizing of energy efficiency but they are also monitoring their residents. Prying into our lives like Orwell's Big Brother. So you have to wonder if the convenience is worth the costs - environmental and personal.
2022-147
There are 36 architectural renderings of several of the supertall buildings from across the world and certainly they give an idea of the appearance of these icons of heights but investigating in an actual photo (or dozen) would be better.
Anyway, our old friend Roman concrete and eventually reinforced concrete - with steel and as buildings get taller, other items as well as the chemical mixture changes. Unfortunately, the world is working on covering itself with concrete and the construction industry's use of the material does produce CO2 which, in turn, adds to the concentration affecting climate change.
Elevators is the easiest way to get up these supertalls and the average one moves people at 14 mph although the fastest is currently running at 47 mph. Research in the proverbial 'wonkavator' - one that moves sideways - is being done and it will be a magnetic lift.
Wind effects are a major consideration as the higher the building the further it will sway in high winds - to the point that residents are nauseated by the movement. Thus tuned mass dampeners in the upper floors.
And then there is HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), which requires mechanical floors - not accessible to the public - every 20-30 floors for this equipment and water pumps.
Those are the mechanicals that need to be considered. But what also needs to be considered is the public response. Skylines need to be considered, especially in Europe where historical views are protected by height regulations in London and other cities. Originally, no building was to be higher than safety fire ladders. The first building regulations were written by Hammurabi circa 1754 BCE while ancient Egypt ruins from ~2500 BCE have the first recognized city plans. Grid patterns were used in ancient Greece, 26th -century BCE Indus Valley and 15th-century BCE China. And public squares can be blamed on the Romans.
Then there is the buying of air rights over NYC as developers 'buy' the rights to build over historic and/or buildings that are not planned for additional floors. The actual air rights over personal/private property is 'within range of actual occupation' or air travel would be impossible. As those above mechanical floors do not count in NYC as floors (makes you really wonder what floor you really are residing on when you're staying at a high-rise hotel), they enable the building to thrust higher - especially for multi-million-dollar penthouse apartments and the views out those windows.
Hong Kong is noted for having addresses by the mass transit station, not the street. From home -work - shopping due to subway and elevated footbridges, residents may never need to go outside.
Tiny Singapore is over 50% + green even with over 6,000 high-rises featuring green walls and roof gardens
So it looks like tall and supertall buildings are here to stay and will continue to break height records. On one hand, cities and construction costs result in heavy amounts of pollutants and yet, they are also the most sustainable with more people within, reducing urban sprawl and excessive infrastructure like roads.
On the disturbing side, sensors are being added for the monitoring and optimizing of energy efficiency but they are also monitoring their residents. Prying into our lives like Orwell's Big Brother. So you have to wonder if the convenience is worth the costs - environmental and personal.
2022-147
June 16, 2022
I have always been a sucker for tall buildings. I think that I was ten when I first went to New York and got to go up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. It was awesome! And now my office is on the top floor of a high rise building in Century City. So I thought I was going to love this book, but it left me with feelings of doubt and discontent about the giant buildings that have become the emblems of wealth, progress and modernity in all of our cities. In truth, most of these things are monstrosities - giant resource sinks justified more often as ego-driven objects of conspicuous consumption than by any contribution to our common welfare. We can have all of the advantages of population concentrations without needing to build on inhuman scales. Cities with five to ten story buildings and good public transportation can hold all of the people and businesses that we need to hold in limited urban areas without suburban sprawl over land better left as farmland, parkland or wilderness.
And most high rise buildings are not built to last. With shifting foundations, long term stress from high winds blowing against the upper stories and moisture seeping into the rebar, nearly all of these buildings will need to be taken down or have major rennovations when they are less than a hundred years old. And that doesn't even take into account the risk of fires, earthquakes and terrorism. Mr. Al talks extensively about ways to make high rise buildings greener and more durable, but I'm coming to the conclusion that, as much as I am drawn to them, we'd all probably be better off if we would stop making these things.
And most high rise buildings are not built to last. With shifting foundations, long term stress from high winds blowing against the upper stories and moisture seeping into the rebar, nearly all of these buildings will need to be taken down or have major rennovations when they are less than a hundred years old. And that doesn't even take into account the risk of fires, earthquakes and terrorism. Mr. Al talks extensively about ways to make high rise buildings greener and more durable, but I'm coming to the conclusion that, as much as I am drawn to them, we'd all probably be better off if we would stop making these things.
July 15, 2023
Supertall is, broadly, "about" skyscrapers. It discusses the engineering and inventions that are key to skyscrapers such as reinforced steel, elevators, and air conditioning, each in a separate chapter. It's partially a history, providing brief background on each of the inventions and how they have developed and been incorporated in modern "supertall" buildings. But it's also a commentary, discussing the impact that tall buildings have had and will have on ways of life in the future as they seemingly constantly grow higher and larger. One of Al's biggest concern is the impact of supertalls on climate change, because of the tremendous resources that they use, and he discusses some of the ways that supertalls are becoming more efficient and incorporating renewable features. I was pleased that he includes sketches of most of the supertall buildings he discusses in the book.
There's a lot of interesting information in Supertall, and it's highly accessible, requiring no technical or engineering knowledge to appreciate. It's a bit all over the map, however, lacking clear takeaways. It's "this is how we got all these tall buildings and why we should be worried about how they impact climate change."
There's a lot of interesting information in Supertall, and it's highly accessible, requiring no technical or engineering knowledge to appreciate. It's a bit all over the map, however, lacking clear takeaways. It's "this is how we got all these tall buildings and why we should be worried about how they impact climate change."
June 10, 2022
This book was kinda sorta interesting, but I eventually started losing interest, although I did finish it. The author is a workmanlike writer and gets the job done, but his prose doesn't sing. Also, he does a lot of straying from his subject of supertall buildings, and I feel like that was to pad out his material enough to make this the length of a book. Honestly, the book could have been condensed down into three or four subjects and written as articles that would have been perfect for the New Yorker. It also didn't help that that the lines of type are set farther apart than is usual for a book, making it much harder for my eye to scan and follow along with. Some interesting topics, for sure, but this was a bit of a slog.
May 24, 2022
Good information supported by some data and anecdotes. The content may have been better delivered via a 90 min lecture. If you are interested in large buildings and urban planning dynamics, good read.
Definitely a primer-not a book for people experienced in the category.
Definitely a primer-not a book for people experienced in the category.
July 4, 2022
Highly recommend for anyone interested in the architecture, engineering and construction of tall buildings. Author does great job of explaining some of the challenges involved and the scientific advancements required to overcome them.
When younger I would go to a city looking to be entertained largely through food, drink and cultural offerings. Now when traveling I more often find myself looking at construction sites, historical properties and landscaping. I guess that means I’m acting my age. Anyways, this book is excellent if you like exploring tall buildings, too.
When younger I would go to a city looking to be entertained largely through food, drink and cultural offerings. Now when traveling I more often find myself looking at construction sites, historical properties and landscaping. I guess that means I’m acting my age. Anyways, this book is excellent if you like exploring tall buildings, too.
April 27, 2022
An excellent comprehensive review of issues involving the construction and existence of supertall towers, defined as towers over 300 meters in height!
February 4, 2023
This was more interesting and multi-faceted than I thought it would be. More about the beginnings of skyscrapers and impact of supertall buildings than about specific buildings.
April 25, 2023
This book was misleading. It claims to be about skyscrapers, but that is only the first half. That half is wonderful, exciting, and informative, and if it had ended there it might have gotten a five star review. But Al uses the second half of the book to shoehorn a bunch of his political views (only most founded on actual fact) into the now desiccated carcass of his wonderful book.
I would have still given it 4 stars if it had been the other way around but the taste I'm left with, after being so pleased, only deserves 3.
Disappointed.
I would have still given it 4 stars if it had been the other way around but the taste I'm left with, after being so pleased, only deserves 3.
Disappointed.
January 29, 2023
This book is in two sections - the first describing some of the engineering considerations when building supertall buildings (those over 300 metres); the second looking at some of the urban planning considerations of such buildings.
Concrete is key to the construction of the supertall buildings. The Romans were the first to use concrete as a building material and surprisingly their concrete was better than any used until just recently. The use of volcanic sand (pozzolana) resulted in a component crystal called tobermorite which made the concrete super hard and self healing. While most concretes will last 50 to 100 years, Roman concretes are still strong after two thousand years. The Pantheon in Rome is still the world's largest unreinforced dome.
The concept of reinforced concrete using rebar to provide tensile strength was introduced in the late 1800's. Over time, water enters the tiny cracks in concrete and causes the rebar to rust, the oxidation eventually causing the rebar to expand and fracturing the concrete (spauling). While Roman concrete had a compressive strength of 20 MPa, modern concretes reach 200 MPa. Superplasticizers are used to slow down the setting of concrete while it is pumped into position - 600 vertical m. for the Burj Khalifa. Silica fume is often used which also slows the setting, but also reacts with the water in a pozzolanic reaction.
Building construction techniques originated with the Greek post and lintel system and advanced through arches and flying buttresses. Tall buildings progressed through steel frame, tubular frame, bundled tube frame to the buttressed core used in the Burj Khalifa. Wind is a problem for the taller buildings, eddies and vortexes being unpredictable and making wind tunnel testing mandatory. Sway must be controlled to keep residents comfortable, many buildings now incorporating mass dampers and features to improve aerodynamics.
Elevators are necessary for tall buildings. In 2019, China added 45 percent of the taller buildings and the country now has seven million elevators. Shanghai Tower has world's longest elevator at 1898 feet, moving at 67 fps. The Otis safety elevator opened up the use of elevators. There is a major trade off between elevator core and floor space, which has led to much innovation in elevator efficiency.
Air conditioning is a huge energy cost - in the U.S. residential and commercial A/C totals ten percent of the electrical load. Most supertall buildings have floors dedicated to mechanical every 20 to 30 stories, mostly devoted to electrical and A/C. The A/C load is minimized through features to improve insulation and reduce solar influx. Buildings such as the Eastgate Centre in Harare use thermal storage during cool nights and air circulation to reduce A/C load, made possible as the building is at 1500 m. elevation and enjoys cool nights.
In the second section, the author examines the impact on cities of the supertall buildings. They have been poorly received in cities such as London and Paris where there is a strong feeling that historical vistas should not be marred by tall structures. Attempts have been made to control them by establishing view corridors and guarantees to natural light.
In New York, the establishment of air rights has been the main control on tall buildings where an increase in tall slender residential buildings has been a trend. While 86 percent of early towers were office buildings, by 2020 only 36 percent were office with luxury residential buildings dominating. The newer buildings have become gated communities, separating the wealthy from the rest of the city. "Public plazas, vibrant streets, green parks, affordable housing and efficient subways are great equalizers, providing a counterbalance to the tendency of wealth to concentrate."
Hong Kong is notable for its extensive subway system - "the transit system that supports skyscrapers." Not only does the subway system enable huge population densities - twenty times that of New York City - but also results in Hong Kong having the lowest transportation related energy consumption of all developed cities. The tall buildings are generally subway stations at the base, a mall on top, and office / residential above, making them vertical cities. The author finds Hong Kong dystopian apparently due to the lack of building setback and the nondescript architecture.
Trees and vegetation cover over 50 percent of Singapore, more than any other major city. The city has strived to become self-sufficient in water - two thirds of the city surface is water catchment area. If developers build in an open space, they must replace it with green elsewhere in the project. This has resulted in designs with large areas devoted to greenery, notably the Pinnacle@Duxton, Marina Bay Sands, TreeHouse and Parkroyal Collection Pickering. The Oasis Hotel will have 10 times the green area lost on the ground. Sky Greens is an urban farm. Green buildings outside of Singapore include Milan's Bosco Verticale and Sydney's One Central Park.
The taller the building, the more energy it consumes for elevators, air conditioning and utilities. On the other hand, benefits of higher density include reduced transportation, road construction, utilities and less heating and cooling per residential unit.
Concrete is key to the construction of the supertall buildings. The Romans were the first to use concrete as a building material and surprisingly their concrete was better than any used until just recently. The use of volcanic sand (pozzolana) resulted in a component crystal called tobermorite which made the concrete super hard and self healing. While most concretes will last 50 to 100 years, Roman concretes are still strong after two thousand years. The Pantheon in Rome is still the world's largest unreinforced dome.
The concept of reinforced concrete using rebar to provide tensile strength was introduced in the late 1800's. Over time, water enters the tiny cracks in concrete and causes the rebar to rust, the oxidation eventually causing the rebar to expand and fracturing the concrete (spauling). While Roman concrete had a compressive strength of 20 MPa, modern concretes reach 200 MPa. Superplasticizers are used to slow down the setting of concrete while it is pumped into position - 600 vertical m. for the Burj Khalifa. Silica fume is often used which also slows the setting, but also reacts with the water in a pozzolanic reaction.
Building construction techniques originated with the Greek post and lintel system and advanced through arches and flying buttresses. Tall buildings progressed through steel frame, tubular frame, bundled tube frame to the buttressed core used in the Burj Khalifa. Wind is a problem for the taller buildings, eddies and vortexes being unpredictable and making wind tunnel testing mandatory. Sway must be controlled to keep residents comfortable, many buildings now incorporating mass dampers and features to improve aerodynamics.
Elevators are necessary for tall buildings. In 2019, China added 45 percent of the taller buildings and the country now has seven million elevators. Shanghai Tower has world's longest elevator at 1898 feet, moving at 67 fps. The Otis safety elevator opened up the use of elevators. There is a major trade off between elevator core and floor space, which has led to much innovation in elevator efficiency.
Air conditioning is a huge energy cost - in the U.S. residential and commercial A/C totals ten percent of the electrical load. Most supertall buildings have floors dedicated to mechanical every 20 to 30 stories, mostly devoted to electrical and A/C. The A/C load is minimized through features to improve insulation and reduce solar influx. Buildings such as the Eastgate Centre in Harare use thermal storage during cool nights and air circulation to reduce A/C load, made possible as the building is at 1500 m. elevation and enjoys cool nights.
In the second section, the author examines the impact on cities of the supertall buildings. They have been poorly received in cities such as London and Paris where there is a strong feeling that historical vistas should not be marred by tall structures. Attempts have been made to control them by establishing view corridors and guarantees to natural light.
In New York, the establishment of air rights has been the main control on tall buildings where an increase in tall slender residential buildings has been a trend. While 86 percent of early towers were office buildings, by 2020 only 36 percent were office with luxury residential buildings dominating. The newer buildings have become gated communities, separating the wealthy from the rest of the city. "Public plazas, vibrant streets, green parks, affordable housing and efficient subways are great equalizers, providing a counterbalance to the tendency of wealth to concentrate."
Hong Kong is notable for its extensive subway system - "the transit system that supports skyscrapers." Not only does the subway system enable huge population densities - twenty times that of New York City - but also results in Hong Kong having the lowest transportation related energy consumption of all developed cities. The tall buildings are generally subway stations at the base, a mall on top, and office / residential above, making them vertical cities. The author finds Hong Kong dystopian apparently due to the lack of building setback and the nondescript architecture.
Trees and vegetation cover over 50 percent of Singapore, more than any other major city. The city has strived to become self-sufficient in water - two thirds of the city surface is water catchment area. If developers build in an open space, they must replace it with green elsewhere in the project. This has resulted in designs with large areas devoted to greenery, notably the Pinnacle@Duxton, Marina Bay Sands, TreeHouse and Parkroyal Collection Pickering. The Oasis Hotel will have 10 times the green area lost on the ground. Sky Greens is an urban farm. Green buildings outside of Singapore include Milan's Bosco Verticale and Sydney's One Central Park.
The taller the building, the more energy it consumes for elevators, air conditioning and utilities. On the other hand, benefits of higher density include reduced transportation, road construction, utilities and less heating and cooling per residential unit.
February 24, 2024
Overall very informative but lackin in narrative, substance, and pacing. Basically just an amalgamation of facts and anecdotes about buildings that well being very interesting did not keep me invested in any kind of plot or over arcing thesis rather than “big building good, but also bad.” good for reading on the bus.
November 23, 2024
Al seems to be building a (debatable) case of how supertalls can be built with better technology, and minimum capital and environmental impact to serve as a panacea to urban sprawl and per capita energy consumption?
Presuming he largely skips over financing as he sees a future where many of them pencil out and can house more than the 1% due to better technology and lower costs; and don’t need to be bankrolled as status symbols by wealthy oil sultans. That many haven’t made money even with aggressive targeting of the World’s 3000 billionaires and 30,000 centamillionaires is well-known. But hey, the developers got their development fees?
Would have liked to see more on what may be a zero sum game between mixed-use towers and street life than the one paragraph in the section on Hong Kong.
He seems to praise the proximity of different walks of life cities offer and our streets as “living room”s, then seems to praise a 50-foot high garden in a Singapore apartment complex without addressing the questions this raises. Understood Singapore is a special case and you can’t stop and tackle everything from every angle.
Enjoyed and realize entire books could be written on the personalities behind, the technologies enabling, and project cycles of many of the buildings mentioned in the book.
Presuming he largely skips over financing as he sees a future where many of them pencil out and can house more than the 1% due to better technology and lower costs; and don’t need to be bankrolled as status symbols by wealthy oil sultans. That many haven’t made money even with aggressive targeting of the World’s 3000 billionaires and 30,000 centamillionaires is well-known. But hey, the developers got their development fees?
Would have liked to see more on what may be a zero sum game between mixed-use towers and street life than the one paragraph in the section on Hong Kong.
He seems to praise the proximity of different walks of life cities offer and our streets as “living room”s, then seems to praise a 50-foot high garden in a Singapore apartment complex without addressing the questions this raises. Understood Singapore is a special case and you can’t stop and tackle everything from every angle.
Enjoyed and realize entire books could be written on the personalities behind, the technologies enabling, and project cycles of many of the buildings mentioned in the book.
July 25, 2022
An up-to-date (2022) overview of architectural trends in high-rise buildings.
Early skyscrapers were essentially office blocks, piled high. Today, though, most new towers are residential show-off flats for billionaires. One interesting trend is that towers are getting more and more slender, with 'slenderness' ratio (defined as height/width) of 10-20. This means that more of the core is taken up by elevators, but if it means that several oligarchs can get an entire floor for themselves, then it's apparently worth it for the developers.
I was expecting more information about how they manage to stop the swinging and keep things steady, but that it mostly waved away with terms like 'tuned-mass dampers', without explaining how they work. (I believe that the latest trend is towards active dampers' instead of passive tuned dampers, but that was not touched upon.)
The book also debunks the common correlation between skyscrapers and economic downturns. Rather, skyscrapers are started during economic booms, but take years to finish, meaning that the economy may have turned.
Early skyscrapers were essentially office blocks, piled high. Today, though, most new towers are residential show-off flats for billionaires. One interesting trend is that towers are getting more and more slender, with 'slenderness' ratio (defined as height/width) of 10-20. This means that more of the core is taken up by elevators, but if it means that several oligarchs can get an entire floor for themselves, then it's apparently worth it for the developers.
I was expecting more information about how they manage to stop the swinging and keep things steady, but that it mostly waved away with terms like 'tuned-mass dampers', without explaining how they work. (I believe that the latest trend is towards active dampers' instead of passive tuned dampers, but that was not touched upon.)
The book also debunks the common correlation between skyscrapers and economic downturns. Rather, skyscrapers are started during economic booms, but take years to finish, meaning that the economy may have turned.
September 8, 2022
Stefan, an architect, looks at the technical reasons it's now possible to build way, way higher than the Empire State Building or the Twin Towers. There are improvements in concrete, innovative designs, elevators that can travel lightning fast, devices to minimize sway (I was on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower once. Sway is nauseating). The downside is the impact on the environment — the costs of construction, the drain of resources, and all to fuel what are mostly luxury projects, while housing costs for regular people keeps spiraling out of sight. There's one tower where a large stretch of concave glass acts like a solar-powered laser, actually burning stuff below (hence it's nickname, the Fryscraper)
In part two the book looks at how various cities around the world deal with supertall buildings, such as Singapore (very green, though not necessarily environmentally sound), and Hong Kong (an amazing mass transit system).
This could have used photos, but otherwise it's excellent.
In part two the book looks at how various cities around the world deal with supertall buildings, such as Singapore (very green, though not necessarily environmentally sound), and Hong Kong (an amazing mass transit system).
This could have used photos, but otherwise it's excellent.
November 8, 2022
One of the more intriguing non-fiction books that I've read this year, Stefan Al's Supertall is an intriguing combination of history, architecture, engineering, and social philosophy as he explores the evolution of tall (and now "supernal") buildings in the development of urbanization and civilization. His interesting presentations of now-common technologies, from the elevator to air conditioning, form the structure for subsequent reflections (and critiques) on skyscraper development and construction, from their economic effects (distorting real estate and housing prices) to their climatic effects (wind shear and occasionally dangerously focused sunlight). I particularly appreciated his final chapters exploring efforts by various (generally small, highly urbanized, and densely populated) nations to make their cities and skyscrapers more environmentally friendly and sustainable throughout their life cycle. A fascinating look at skyscrapers as a product and in some ways driver of human civilization, Supertall was an enjoyable, entertaining, and enlightening read.
June 8, 2022
The book's first part, about the history of skyscrapers and the technical challenge of building supertalls, is well told. It is a beautiful story, well told. But the technology is described as expensive, to the point of most probably canceling the financial advantage of saving on land costs by going higher. The financial and economic aspects are not treated. The mantra that supertalls prevent expensive urban expansion is not quantified at all and is certainly not true in many cases. The final chapters focused on green cover, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These topics are very superficially treated and are only marginally linked to the supertall story. The author is an architect who knows construction and design exceptionally well but is lost when discussing urban economics. A book worth reading, but missing an important part on supertall's economics!
October 17, 2022
This book is really good if you're into urban development and urbanism. I was expecting a simple storytelling about the evolution of skyscrapers, but it was so much more.
The book is divided by various themes in two sections. The first part is more technical, explaining how certain technologies evolved through time to allow supertall buildings. In these pages, the author goes into details about subjects we take for granded such as air conditionning, elevators, building foundations or concrete.
The second part is more about urban design and paths toward a sustainable future. The author discusses green cities, urban planning, pollution or water supply.
The book is accessible for anyone, yet goes in enough details to keep savvy readers interested. I enjoyed it a lot!
The book is divided by various themes in two sections. The first part is more technical, explaining how certain technologies evolved through time to allow supertall buildings. In these pages, the author goes into details about subjects we take for granded such as air conditionning, elevators, building foundations or concrete.
The second part is more about urban design and paths toward a sustainable future. The author discusses green cities, urban planning, pollution or water supply.
The book is accessible for anyone, yet goes in enough details to keep savvy readers interested. I enjoyed it a lot!
July 30, 2022
Cities around the world are growing taller, as "supertall" megastructures stretch the limits of engineering and design. Stefan Al looks at the history of urban growth and the factors that have made tall buildings possible, from changes in building materials such as concrete and developments in HVAC and elevator systems. He analyzes various megastructures from the Eiffel Tower to Dubai's Burj Khalifa and London’s Shard.
But he also looks at the environmental and social cost of such buildings in terms of inequality of wealth inequality, carbon emissions, and impact on city infrastructure and green footprint.
A fascinating look at a world phenomenon in a highly readable style.
But he also looks at the environmental and social cost of such buildings in terms of inequality of wealth inequality, carbon emissions, and impact on city infrastructure and green footprint.
A fascinating look at a world phenomenon in a highly readable style.
July 11, 2022
More a 3.5 - gives a good summary of the various key technologies surrounding skyscrapers and their building process.
Would have been better if there are more pictures or even colour plates showing the physics around wind-tunnel testing, concrete structure etc (or this could be easily solved through a companion website in this day and age). This could include the various building styles as well as how various countries described herein had embraced supertall buildings in their unique ways.
Would have been better if there are more pictures or even colour plates showing the physics around wind-tunnel testing, concrete structure etc (or this could be easily solved through a companion website in this day and age). This could include the various building styles as well as how various countries described herein had embraced supertall buildings in their unique ways.
November 6, 2022
Osea, esta chido el libro, habla sobre los avances tecnologicos en materiales, diseño y construccion que permiten la existencia de rascacielos de más de 1000 pies de alto.
Pero tambien el autor parece que estudio arquitectura en la escuela progre de gente ofendida y redentores de las causas ajenas. La cantidad de Woke-ismo que hay espolvoreado en todo el libro es ridiculo.
¿Que tienen que ver los rascacielos con el racismo?
En fin, el libro esta interesante pero no lo reeleria. Hay mucha ciencia de materiales que no esperaba leer... yo vine aqui por el tema del urbanismo.
Pero tambien el autor parece que estudio arquitectura en la escuela progre de gente ofendida y redentores de las causas ajenas. La cantidad de Woke-ismo que hay espolvoreado en todo el libro es ridiculo.
¿Que tienen que ver los rascacielos con el racismo?
En fin, el libro esta interesante pero no lo reeleria. Hay mucha ciencia de materiales que no esperaba leer... yo vine aqui por el tema del urbanismo.
January 1, 2025
This book starts out well, but meanders in part due to some of the tangentiality of the chapters. Conceptually, Al makes the case that the history of elevators or air-conditioners are relevant to super tall buildings—and they are—but it does feel as if he’s struggling to hit his word count and so includes every digression and factoid. It was a good book, but the concept could have been more tightly encapsulated. It would have also benefited from much better pictures of the buildings.
Interesting book, but disjointed rather than cohesive.
Interesting book, but disjointed rather than cohesive.
June 2, 2022
Good book about supertall buildings. The first half drills into them and is the more interesting portion. It covers the various features that needed to be improved (ventilation, construction materials, and elevators, among others) to build into the sky. The second half of the book wanders a little bit into more generalized questions of how we live. I didn't think it all tied back as cleanly into the thesis, but still had some good points.
September 9, 2022
Enjoyed this book! I would reread this because there were lots of interesting people and places he mentioned that I’d benefit from seeing printed on a page instead of listening. In addition to tall buildings, this got into building materials, resource usage, and the development of cities – I appreciated the comparisons between Hong Kong and Singapore, and hearing that the original design of Savannah was laid out so no one would be more than a two minute walk from a park.
May 12, 2024
A few interesting chapters but much of the book has nothing to do with "supertalls". The sections on urban planning and low environmental impact technologies are interesting but out of place in a book with this title and description. The writing is all over the place with constant repetitions and pointless asides. The first few chapters are good and a better book would have continued those themes.
October 11, 2024
I didn’t like it so much when he wandered off into more and more ancillary topics like the evolution of cities and how Londoners love their views of St. Paul’s and such. Seemed like a lot of filler. When he was talking about various technological aspects of tall buildings – concrete, elevators, and such – I was picking up what he was putting down. I could have done with more of that stuff and less filler. The book became less and less interesting towards the end.
October 25, 2024
great introduction for anyone looking for a rough, broad view...this is not an architecture book per se, more a general knowledge book about architecture, but it does sometimes give some minimal examples of structural solutions, and of architectural systems, and some nuggets of urban planning ideas.
i thought it was interesting...i love the topic, skyscrapers hold a special place in my heart, they can be a true show of the evolution of civilisation, through technological accomplishment.
i thought it was interesting...i love the topic, skyscrapers hold a special place in my heart, they can be a true show of the evolution of civilisation, through technological accomplishment.
June 12, 2022
Enjoyed the history of concrete, elevators, and air conditioning and the specifics of London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. They are quite different so they are case studies in density and I've been to them all. Ends with plea for sustainability. If you find skyscrapers and dense urban living interesting you'll enjoy this book.
July 18, 2022
Fascinating read, if you like tall buildings. There is a well organized and researched look at the technology and societal changes that had to be in place for the development of skyscrapers. The author is a fan and that passion comes through. The illustrations are well done and make the book that much more accessible.
March 23, 2023
Really interesting book about the nature and issues of this new breed of building. Also an interesting discussion of the evolution of building materials.
I read Neal Bascomb's "Higher" in 2011. I highly recommend that one also.
This book would be a good choice for historians, engineers, ecologists, and anyone else interested in the nature of cities.
I read Neal Bascomb's "Higher" in 2011. I highly recommend that one also.
This book would be a good choice for historians, engineers, ecologists, and anyone else interested in the nature of cities.
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