World Tallest Building- Kingdom Tower

Q: Designing such tall buildings is a complete challenge. How does structural engineering play a role in the design of your work?

A: Structural engineering and architectural form go hand in hand, especially on supertall towers. A key consideration is wind resistance, which I discussed in my first answer above. But I would add that some people mistakenly assume that that is entirely a matter of structural engineering; actually, architectural design—the shaping of the tower—has as much or more to do with it in terms of finding a solution.

Q: How do you compare Burj Khalifa with Kingdom Tower? What kinds of challenges do you face?

A: I think the key difference between the design of Burj and the design of Kingdom Tower is the approach we took to the shaping of the form in relation to the wind. Burj features a stepped pattern of setbacks that proceed up the toward in a spiraling fashion. Kingdom Tower, on the other hand, is a sloped tower that tapers upward. Like Burj, its base has three "legs," but unlike Burj, the legs ascend in a smooth manner and then terminate at different heights, creating the effect of a plant with leaves that begin to separate at the top. Our wind-tunnel testing indicates that this shape is very effective at "confusing the wind," as we say.

Q: What role does green building play into your work?

A: Our firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, is very committed to sustainable architecture, making buildings as energy-efficient as possible and making the most of opportunities for on-site energy generation by harvesting renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and geothermal. In the case of Kingdom Tower, solar heat gain through the exterior wall is obviously an issue, which we are addressing by using a high-performance, low-emissivity reflective glass that will reduce heat gain as much as possible while at the same time providing the panoramic views that building occupants want. Where the glass is not needed for viewing, we are planning an insulated “shadowbox” panel that minimizes heat gain and will have essentially the same thermal performance that a stone panel would. The tower will also feature energy-efficient MEP systems, and may feature condensate recovery (which captures and re-purposes moisture from the atmosphere within the building) and greywater collection systems.

Q: Any aspect of the design that you are not 100% comfortable with?

A: Perhaps, but the design is still in progress, so we still have time to work out whatever problems exist.

Q: What have you learned from the design process of your more recent supertall buildings such as Burj Khalifa?

A: Every new supertall building that gets built adds 10% to the body of knowledge about the typology, and Burj Khalifa was no exception. Thanks to our work on that building and others—including Pearl River Tower, now in the late stages of construction in Guangzhou, China, which Gordon Gill designed while at SOM in consultation with me—we know a lot more about how to shape supertall buildings in ways that reduce the buildup of wind resistance. We also know a good deal more about the ability to incorporate building-integrated energy generation elements, such as the wind turbines at Pearl River.

Q: What will be your next challenge?

A: I think the next great challenge for architects is actually not in the design of new buildings but in the area of retrofitting the existing building stock to make it more energy-efficient and thereby to address the factors contributing to climate change. People think cars are the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases; actually buildings are. We need to deal with that aggressively, especially in our major cities. Otherwise whatever we do in the design of new buildings is barely going to scratch the surface of the problems we face in relation to climate change.

Q: Any advice for young architects?

A: Be patient. Listen. Learn your craft. Get a job with an architecture firm that cares not just about making money but about making the world a better place.