A collaboration between Perkins + Will, Thornton Tomasetti, and the University of Cambridge has produced a conceptual academic and professional design for an 80-story residential timber high-rise.
The high-rise, known as River Beech Tower, is part of a masterplan along the Chicago River, and while it is considered conceptual at the moment, the team says it could be realized by the time of the masterplan’s final phases, ArchDaily reports.
If the building does come to fruition, it would become the largest timber structure in the world. Most timber high-rise proposals reach between 30 to 40 stories with timber structures that are actually being constructed coming in between 10 and 20 stories. While 80 stories seems like a bit of a stretch considering what is currently possible, the River Beech team says a new, innovative system the tower’s construction would employ would allow them to reach new heights.
Currently, most timber buildings use a hybrid system of cross-laminated timber and glulam with a concrete core. Other models use a wooden core and wooden floor slabs with steel beams to provide ductility. But River beech Tower would use an entirely different system.
An exterior diagrid system would be used to take advantage of the natural axial strength of timber. In this system, the vertical and lateral loads are resisted by connecting the outer diagrids with the internal cross bracing that skirts the central atrium. This allows for efficient load distribution across all timber elements.
The building would likely have around 300 residential units along with communal spaces.
Rendering courtesy of Perkins + Will.
Rendering courtesy of Perkins + Will.
Related Stories
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| Jun 1, 2012
AIA 2030 Commitment Program reports new results
The full report contains participating firm demographics, energy reduction initiatives undertaken by firms, anecdotal accounts, and lessons learned.
| May 31, 2012
2011 Reconstruction Awards Profile: Ka Makani Community Center
An abandoned historic structure gains a new life as the focal point of a legendary military district in Hawaii.
| May 31, 2012
Perkins+Will-designed engineering building at University of Buffalo opens
Clad in glass and copper-colored panels, the three-story building thrusts outward from the core of the campus to establish a new identity for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the campus at large.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| Apr 27, 2012
APA launches wood design web portal for building and design pros
Design professionals who are members of APA’s Professional Associates are automatically enrolled in the APA Designers Circle program.
| Apr 26, 2012
Energy efficiency requirements heighten the importance of proper protection for roofing systems
Now more than ever, a well-insulated and well protected roof is critical in new or renovated commercial buildings.
| Apr 16, 2012
Drake joins EYP as science and technology project executive
Drake’s more than 30 years of diversified design and project delivery experience spans a broad range of complex building types.
| Feb 26, 2012
Milwaukee U-Haul facility receives LEED-CI Silver
The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.
