Improving the construction of tall buildings

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Canada is a leader in the construction of tall buildings in North America. In the Toronto area, the type of tall buildings constructed has changed dramatically in the past 15 years. Before 2000, 90% of tall buildings were offices; today, 90% are residential. This change has challenged the construction industry as residential high-rises are much more complex than office structures of similar height. For example, while office buildings require minimal interior finishes to allow for maximum flexibility for potential tenants, residential units must be completely finished. Further, office spaces are served by central heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems whereas residential units often have individual HVAC systems and have operable doors and windows to connect residents to the outside. These differences significantly affect the energy consumption and construction requirements of the units. This research aims to address the many issues being experienced by high-rise residential builders. Three main topics will be examined: productivity during construction, construction impacts on stack effect, and, a life cycle evaluation of modular cladding systems. These three topics were identified as pressing needs by the industry.