Tall buildings give form to human aspiration. For 150 years, they have served as powerful expressions of our creativity, knowledge and will. Today, tall buildings continue to represent those ideals and more.
At the beginning of this century, roughly half the world’s population lived in cities. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to nearly 70%. For future cities and their populations, high-rises offer a solution to this dramatic shift in population, allowing for greater density and efficiency while preserving open space and limiting sprawl. At the same time, tall buildings of today must respond to a changing world through sustainable and resilient design that promotes environmental health and community well-being.
The buildings featured in HOK Tall Buildings, Volume 2, illustrate how HOK’s architects and engineers have sought to accomplish these goals in projects around the world. Some are iconic towers soaring hundreds of meters into the sky. Others fit comfortably into their context at under 20 stories. (The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat defines tall buildings as 14 stories or higher.) A few others take existing high-rises and re-purpose their infrastructure to create new tenant options that extend their use and purpose.
Regardless of size, scale and type, each project in this book integrates structure and science to create forward-thinking, lasting solutions. We thank
our clients for their trust, vision and partnership on these projects as together we give shape to the future of tall buildings and urban cores.
View or download HOK Tall Buildings, Vol. 2, below and on Issuu.