<
https://theconversation.com/sky-high-vanity-constructing-the-worlds-tallest-buildings-creates-high-emissions-229183>
"Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies –
from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient
cathedrals and mosques. Today the quest is to build the world’s tallest
skyscrapers, such as Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Soaring above the rest, its
decorative spire accounts for 29% of its total height – 4,000 tonnes of
structural steel just for aesthetics.
Burj Khalifa isn’t unique in this respect. “Vanity height” – the extra height
from a skyscraper’s highest occupied floor to its architectural top – shapes
city skylines around the globe.
In a world where environmental concerns are paramount, is such architectural
vanity justifiable?
Our research shows the pursuit of “vanity height” makes this a pressing issue.
Even a modest spire increases the carbon emissions from the production of
materials for a skyscraper’s structure by about 15%.
Building tall is not just about architecture; it’s big business. Being ranked
among the world’s tallest buildings can transform an otherwise ordinary
skyscraper into a globally recognised icon. This creates an incentive to add
vanity height.
Our proposed solution is to rethink the global standard for ranking the world’s
tallest buildings."
I really like this idea.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
