Post Carbon Research
Sector
Tall buildings at different latitudes
Location
Milan, Italy
Year
2022
Design Team
Tiziano Rumori, Garlotta Greco, Luca Sandrini, Kalzang Dorjee
Type
Research
As cities expand at unprecedented rates, the way we design and manage buildings has become critical to securing both economic growth and social well-being. Horizontal sprawl demands vast natural resources making vertical urban expansion not just a solution, but a global priority in the face of environmental and societal challenges.
Since 2001, 84% of the world’s skyscrapers have been built, but building tall brings complex issues particularly around sustainability and social equity. Our challenge is to transform the skyscraper from a static status symbol into a dynamic, adaptable vertical community one that meets residents' needs and becomes a cultural and ecological landmark for its city and the planet.
In Ulan Bator, the building’s north-facing core shelters from wind and harvests indirect light, while the south-facing side is shaped to maximize solar gain and collect rainwater. In contrast, a project in Tehran embraces airflow to cool the structure and strategically blocks excessive sun exposure. In both cases, thermal mass is leveraged to create a comfortable internal environment.
We believe it’s time to rethink high-rise design not as isolated objects, but as living organisms in dialogue with climate, culture, and nature. By reconnecting architecture with its environment, we can reshape tall buildings into ecosystems that merge interior and exterior, adapt to human needs, and regenerate the identity of place.