Tall Buildings and Life Cycle Approaches: a debate that must be started

By means of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) analyses, the authors assess the environmental and economic impact occurring during the life cycle of different tall building structures n three macro-categories: all concrete, all-steel and concrete-steel composite. The study focused on three areas in Asia-Pacific: Bangkok and Singapore, markets with more recent experience of tall buildings and Sydney, where the market is mature. The research seeks to identify which could be the most advantageous comprehensive structural solution in terms of both sustainability and cost

Giganti : I grattacieli del Futuro

L'articolo ripercorre le tappe pi\uf9 recenti dell'evoluzione degli edifici alti sottolinenando, per il principali "settori" tecnologici coinvolti nella loro realizzazione, le principali innovazioni e il contributo fornito allo sviluppo ti questo tipo edilizio

Verso l\u2019accessibilit\ue0 multidirezionale: gli ascensori ropeless

Lifts, stairlifts, ramps and all similar purpose devices are usually adopted to solve the prob- lems related to mobility in a punctual manner. Even if the lift is, among all those devices, the most popular one, its operation is still based on the same principle since when, more than 160 years, Otis made the current \u201chosting apparatus\u201d suitable for the transport of people, patenting the parachute safety device. The first applications and experiments were recorded in the tall building type, where the technological progress of the elevator sector pushed their development and, on the other hand, the will to build higher led to a constant search for improvement in the performance of lifts. In addition to the more conventional solutions, aimed at improving system performance and quality of service, some \u201cout of the box\u201d approaches to the vertical transportation systems have been developed, with the common purpose of releasing the cabin from one-way direction, thus removing the most limiting elements: cables and counterweights. Among the most interesting proposals, the Odyssey patent from Otis and the recent MULTI technology from thysenkrupp are noteworthy. Both, although in a different way, free the cab- ins from their constraints, allowing them to move along vertical and horizontal paths, but also to move several cabins simultaneously along the same circuits. Although the idea of Odyssey was later abandoned for cost reasons, the Multi device is still under study and development. A PhD thesis from the Iuav University of Venice conducted some research regarding the im- plications in the building design that a ropeless elevator system should determine in the design of the circulation within buildings and the urban environment. The topic of mobility in the built space would be completely renewed and the installation of devices capable of following multiple directions of motion would allow to approach the theme of accessibility in a global way, without limiting to punctual applications. The goal of this paper is to encourage a dia- logue between the academic sector and elevator companies to start looking at the accessibility problems taking into account the innovative technological solutions proposed in the past and actually under development

Accessibilit\ue0 all\u2019ambiente costruito secondo i principi del Design for All: la norma prEN 17210

The prEN 17210 standard \u201cAccessibility and usability of the built environment - Func- tional requirements\u201d describes the minimum functional requirements and common rec- ommendations for a built environment that is accessible and usable by all, following the design principles of Design for All/Universal Design. The field of application is the built environment in its entirety: the requirements, in fact, concern many elements of the constructions, including accesses, interiors, plants, build- ings (classified according to the purpose of use), but also pedestrian areas, urban areas, means of transport. By adopting the principles of Design for All/Universal Design, the reference user of this standard this \u201cas many users as possible\u201d, which includes not only people with motor dis- abilities, but also those with sensory disabilities (not/hypo visually impaired, deafness, etc.), from cognitive disabilities, people belonging to disadvantaged or weak categories for various reasons (elderly, childhood, pregnancy, etc.) and people with invisible disabilities (heart diseases, diabetes, dialysis and many others). Considering that the prEn 17210 is currently in the last revision phase (December 2019) and will soon be voted, the essay briefly illustrates the standard and provides some gen- eral considerations concerning the contents dedicated to vertical circulation in buildings and in the built environment, with particular attention to lifts

Ropeless Elevator Systems : The Potential for Multidirectional Transportation in Tall Buildings

Skyscrapers may be our most powerful tool in providing dense, energy- efficient living for a rapidly urbanizing population, but this typology faces certain limitations inherent to its traditional form, namely, the lack of interplay between tower, urban context, and community. Through a historical overview, case study analysis, and a series of design considerations, this report explores how ropeless and multidirectional elevator technologies can enable cities to be more interconnected, efficient, and accessible. Running on a series of seamless loops, and powered by magnetic levitation, ropeless and multidirectional elevator cabins could follow a multiplicity of routes within a given building, not only reducing the quantity of shafts needed and increasing rentable area, but also allowing elevators more options in terms of where they stop across a building\u2019s dimensions. When paired with skybridges and \u201cskyspaces,\u201d at-height services and communities could be easily linked with one another, bolstering the critical link between a piece of architecture and the urban sphere, while combating some of the insularity endemic to skyscrapers. This Research Report is the product of two years of research by the CTBUH Research Office in Venice, CTBUH Staff, professionals in the field, and a research team of architecture and supporting academic advisors. It is part of a series of research reports that offer insight into specific areas of skyscraper research, offering a wealth of knowledge essential for industry professionals, academic researchers and all others interested in the relationship between skyscrapers and urban habitat

Port Baseline Biological Surveys and seaweed bioinvasions in port areas: What's the matter in the Adriatic Sea?

One of the objectives of the BALMAS project was to conduct Port Baseline Biological Surveys of native and nonindigenous benthic flora in 12 Adriatic ports. Samples of macroalgae growing on vertical artificial substrates were collected in spring and autumn 2014 and/or 2015. A total number of 248 taxa, 152 Rhodophyta, 62 Chlorophyta, and 34 Ochrophyta, were identified. Of these, 13 were non-indigenous seaweeds, mainly filamentous macroalgae, that were probably introduced through hull fouling. Some of these taxa had already been described in the study areas, others were recorded for the first time, a few were no longer detected at sites where they had previously been recorded (e.g. Sargassum muticum). Some other NISS reported for the Adriatic Sea, were not collected at any sampling site (i.e. Caulerpa cylindracea, Codium fragile). Possible reasons for the absence of these species are discussed

Water-Food-Energy Nexus under Climate Change in Sardinia

Abstract: Land, food, energy, water and climate are linked and interconnected into a Nexus, characterized by complexity and feedbacks. An integrated management of the Nexus is critical to understand conflicts/synergies and secure efficient and sustainable use of resources, especially under climate change. The Nexus perspective is applied to Sardinia, as regional case study, to better understand and improve integrated resource management and relevant policy initiatives. Vulnerability of Sardinia Nexus is assessed under several climate projections by articulated balances of resources (water, energy) availability and sustainable development goals, at regional and subregional scales, accounting for demands and conflicts among key economic sectors (agriculture, hydro-power, tourism)