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Chicago Facts

Population 2,718,782 (2013) Source: Illinois QuickFacts
Area 590 km² • 228 mi²
150m+ Buildings 125 Completed • 6 Under Constr.
300m+ Buildings 6 Completed • 1 Under Constr.
Tallest Building Willis Tower (442 m)
Global Ranking #7 in the world by no. of 150m+ completed buildings
Regional Ranking #2 in North America by no. of 150m+ completed buildings
Country Ranking #2 in USA by no. of 150m+ completed buildings
First 150m+ Building Chicago Temple Building (1924)
Average Building Age 31 years
Most Common Function Office, 47%
Most Common Material Concrete, 62%

All building-related facts are for 150m+ buildings.

Buildings See All Buildings in City

1   Willis Tower 1974 442 m
2   Trump International Hotel & Tower 2009 423 m
3   Vista Tower 2020 363 m
4   Aon Center 1973 346 m
5   875 North Michigan Avenue 1969 344 m
6   The Franklin - North Tower 1989 307 m
7   Two Prudential Plaza 1990 303 m
8   One Chicago Square East Tower 2022 295 m
9   311 South Wacker Drive 1990 293 m
10   NEMA Chicago 2019 273 m
See full building list
CTBUH Height Criteria
  Completed   Arch. Topped Out   Struct. Topped Out   Under Constr.
1   Tribune East Tower 2023 433 m
2   Aon Center 2020 350 m
3   400 North Lake Shore Drive South Tower - 335 m
4   Lakeshore East I Tower 2023 290 m
5   400 North Lake Shore Drive North Tower - 259 m
6   Salesforce Tower 2023 255 m
7   1000M 2022 254 m
8   130 North Franklin - 229 m
9   BMO Tower 2022 222 m
10   725 West Randolph Street 2022 207 m
See full building list
CTBUH Height Criteria
  Proposed
1   Willis Tower 1974 442 m
2   Tribune East Tower 2023 433 m
3   Trump International Hotel & Tower 2009 423 m
4   Vista Tower 2020 363 m
5   Aon Center 2020 350 m
6   875 North Michigan Avenue 1969 344 m
7   400 North Lake Shore Drive South Tower - 335 m
8   The Franklin - North Tower 1989 307 m
9   Two Prudential Plaza 1990 303 m
10   One Chicago Square East Tower 2022 295 m
See full building list
CTBUH Height Criteria
  Completed   Arch. Topped Out   Under Constr.   Proposed

Building Function More Charts

Based on 131 Buildings Over 150m Height

 

Structural Material More Charts

Based on 123 Buildings Over 150m Height

 

Building Completions Timeline (Last 50 Years, 150 m+) Create Your Own Timeline

 
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CTBUH Initiatives

CTBUH 2019 Chicago Congress
28 Oct-2 Nov 2019 – Conference

2019 Global Walking Tour:
50 Forward | 50 Back
27 Jun-9 Aug 2019 – Event Invite

Tour 110 North Wacker with CTBUH Chicago
25 Jul 2019 – Event Report

More Initiatives

CTBUH Initiatives Related to Chicago

CTBUH 2019 Chicago Congress
28 Oct-2 Nov 2019, Chicago – Conference
On the 50th anniversary of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s founding, the 10th World Congress returns to the Council’s home, and birthplace of the skyscraper: Chicago.
Tour 110 North Wacker with CTBUH Chicago
25 Jul 2019, Chicago – Event Report
Join the Chicago Chapter of the CTBUH in exploring the design and construction of 110 North Wacker, an under-construction 57-story office tower.
10th World Congress Reception: Step Onto the Willis Tower Ledge
11 Jul 2019, Chicago – Conference Paper
This special reception will give VIPs the opportunity to let loose in the fantastic setting of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Chicago’s current tallest building (442 meters).
CTBUH Chicago Hosts Panel Discussion at the CAC
22 May 2019, Chicago – Event Report
The Chicago Chapter of the CTBUH hosted a panel discussion at the CAC on the topics of new construction, refurbishment and affordability in relation to the city of Chicago.
CTBUH World Congress 2019 Steering Committee Holds Second Meeting
21 Feb 2019, Chicago – Event Report
The Steering Committee for the 2019 CTBUH 10th World Congress convened for its second session at the Chicago Architecture Center, discussing updates and changes to programming.
CTBUH Hosts First Lead-Up Event: “Leaning Out" with Les Robertson
21 Feb 2019, Chicago – Event Report
The first of four “lead-up” events to the CTBUH 10th World Congress took place at the Chicago Architecture Center, with more than 100 people in attendance.
CTBUH 10th World Congress High Number of Abstracts Received
31 Jan 2019, Chicago – Conference Activity
The CTBIUH 10th World Congress abstract submission portal is now closed with a high number of abstracts received for the tall building event of the year.
2019 Tall Building Predictions for the Year to Come
22 Jan 2019, Chicago – CTBUH News
Check out our monthly predictions based on our industry intelligence to see what trends and milestones will shape the industry in the year to come!
Abstracts Due 30 January for CTBUH 10th World Congress
21 Jan 2019, Chicago – Conference Activity
The deadline to submit a proposal is 30 January. Competition will be high, so be sure to submit your abstract today to be considered for a speaking role.
CTBUH Staff Reaches New Heights at Chicago's Vista Tower
14 Dec 2018, Chicago – Tour Report
To bring a successful year to a close, CTBUH staff enjoyed an extensive tour of the under-construction Vista Tower, a residential and hotel development in Chicago's Lakeshore East.
10th World Congress Inaugural Steering Committee Meeting
27 Nov 2018, Chicago – Event Report
Plans for the 2019 CTBUH 10th World Congress are now well underway, beginning with an initial meeting of the Steering Committee at the Chicago Architecture Center.
Facades+ Chicago Conference
21 Sep 2018, Chicago – Event
Join Facades+'s Chicago conference for a robust dialogue encompassing all things building skin—bridging the profession, industry, academia, operations, and ownership.
CTBUH Contributes to New Skyscraper Exhibit in Chicago
31 Aug 2018, Chicago – Event
The Chicago Architecture Center celebrated its grand opening, the centerpiece of which is a skyscraper exhibit featuring numerous CTBUH contributions.
2018 Global Walking Tour: Walking on Water Reports
2 Aug 2018 – Tour Report
This year's 2018 Global Walking Tour explored the role of tall buildings along waterfronts and other natural settings.
CTBUH Leaders Meet at Annual Awards Event
1 Jun 2018, Chicago – Event Report
The first 2018 Leaders Meeting brought together CTBUH leaders from around the world to provide mid-year updates on the Council's major initiatives.
IIT Students Tour at SCB and Lurie Children's Hospital
7 Feb 2018, Chicago – Tour Report
As part of the CTBUH-IIT Academic Courses, a group of IIT architecture students visited the SCB Chicago Office on February 7.
Fourth Building Tall Lecture Series: Greening Tall
1 Feb 2018, Chicago – Event Report
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) and CTBUH hosted a panel discussion on the movement to incorporate green features into tall buildings.
2018 Tall Building Predictions
17 Jan 2018, Chicago – CTBUH News
Check out all of our 2018 Tall Building Predictions, and dive into the full 2017 Tall Building Year in Review data report.
Cyclone-Glazing and Façade Resilience for the Asia-Pacific Region
15 Jan 2018, Chicago – CTBUH News
CTBUH has launched the second phase of the "Cyclone-Glazing and Façade Resilience for the Asia-Pacific Region" research project, kindly sponsored by Trosifol.
Tall Buildings: 2017 Year in Review
13 Dec 2017, Chicago – CTBUH News
The CTBUH is pleased to release the interactive web portal for the 2017 Tall Building Year in Review data study.
CTBUH Founder, Dr. Lynn Beedle, at 100
7 Dec 2017, Chicago – CTBUH News
The founder of the CTBUH, Dr. Lynn Beedle, a professor and eventually director of the Fritz Engineering Laboratory at Lehigh University, would have been 100 years old on December 7.
CTBUH-IIT Design Research Studio Final Fall Review
1 Dec 2017, Chicago – Event
After a semester of intense work assisted by the CTBUH and supported by AECOM, IIT architecture students presented their design research studio projects in Crown Hall.
“Living Tall” Asks: “What Will Make Tall Buildings More Livable?"
16 Nov 2017, Chicago – Event Report
The third installment of the CTBUH / Chicago Architecture Foundation’s (CAF) joint skyscraper lecture series brought together a diverse group of tall building experts.
CTBUH-IIT Design Research Studio Midterm Fall Review
13 Oct 2017, Chicago – Event
During a semester of intense work assisted by the CTBUH and supported by AECOM, IIT architecture students presented their design research studio projects in Crown Hall.
Master's Thesis Challenge
28 Aug 2017, Chicago – CTBUH News
CTBUH is launching a new academic initiative, empowering Master's-level architecture students to research new possibilities in rope-less elevator technology.
2017 Global Walking Tours: The Space Within Tall Buildings
21 Jun-7 Jul 2017 – Tour Report
The CTBUH Urban Habitat / Urban Design Committee organized its fourth annual Global Walking Tours, which took place in 15 cities around the world.
Tall Timber: A Global Audit
26 Jun 2017, Chicago – CTBUH Research
The CTBUH has produced its latest Tall Buildings in Numbers research study, entitled "Tall Timber: A Global Audit."
CTBUH Joins Chicago Seminar on Mass Timber Buildings
8 Jun 2017, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH joined a CCHRB seminar on "The Heavy Timber High Rise: Building Tall with Wood in the 21st Century," focused on new applications of wood as a structural material.
Council HQ Welcomes Family of Lynn S. Beedle
25 May 2017, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH headquarters was proud to welcome the family of Council founder Lynn S. Beedle to their Monroe Building offices on Thursday, May 25.
Partnered Event Explores High-Performance Skyscraper Design
24 May 2017, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH, ComEd, and Seventhwave partnered to host a breakfast seminar focused on high-performance building envelope design with the goal of identifying opportunities for energy savings.
Second CAF-CTBUH Event Examines Tall Building Safety
18 May 2017, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH, in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), held the second of the four-part “Building Tall” lecture series, this time focused on "Securing Tall."
Debating Tall: Replace the Thompson Center?
28 Apr 2017, Chicago – CTBUH Journal Paper
In the CTBUH Journal 2017 Issue II, two experts debate on the fate of the James R. Thompson Center as the State of Illinois plans to sell the historic building.
“Sustainable Vertical Urbanism: Towards 2050” Studio Review
24 Apr 2017, Chicago – Event Report
After a year of intense work assisted by the CTBUH and Gensler, IIT architecture students presented their final design studio projects in Crown Hall.
First CAF-CTBUH Lecture Series Draws Crowd, Rave Reviews
16 Mar 2017, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH, in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), held the first of the four-part “Building Tall” lecture series at the CAF lecture hall.
CTBUH Celebrates New Office Launch in Chicago
23 Feb 2017, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH enjoyed a lively evening with friends and members in a celebration of its new office located downtown.
Top 12 Happenings of 2016, Month-by-Month
19 Dec 2016, Chicago – CTBUH News
Check out the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's top stories of 2016 for each month and take a look ahead with the Council’s monthly predictions for 2017.
150 North Riverside Holiday Tour
16 Dec 2016, Chicago – Tour Report
As an annual tradition, CTBUH HQ staff are given a tour of tall building during their holiday celebrations. This year, the staff visited 150 North Riverside by Goettsch Partners.
“Sustainable Vertical Urbanism: Towards 2050” Studio Final Review
2 Dec 2016, Chicago – Event Report
After a semester of intense work assisted by the CTBUH and supported by Gensler, IIT architecture students presented their design research studio final projects in Crown Hall.
CTBUH-IIT Design Research Studio Student 2016 Conference Tour
15-22 Oct 2016, Shenzhen – Tour Report
Students from the 2016–2017 CTBUH-IIT design research studio attended the 2016 CTBUH International Conference and toured Shenzhen & Hong Kong.
Trees in the Sky: Challenges of a Forest City
5 Oct 2016, Chicago – Event
Sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency and held at AIA Chicago, hear architect Stefano Boeri explain the Bosco Verticale, announced as the 2015 Best Tall Building Worldwide by the CTBUH.
Global Twilight Walking Tours
25 Aug 2016, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH UH/UD Committee organized its third annual Global Walking Tours in 13 cities around the world, examining public spaces in a twilight setting.
CTBUH Hosts ACSA/AISC Steel Student Design Competition Jurors
29 Jul 2016, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH was pleased to host the esteemed jurors for the 2015–2016 ACSA/AISC Steel Student Design Competition as they deliberated winners for the annual program.
CTBUH Philadelphia: Living High from Bottom to Top
29 Jun 2016, Philadelphia – Event Report
The CTBUH Philadelphia Committee met at the Hayworth Showroom in Philadelphia to examine how developers and designers differentiate residential offering based on regional preferences.
CTBUH Hosts China Government Delegation
20 May 2016, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH was honored to host a delegation of government officials from the Shanghai Huangpu District People’s Government.
Monroe Building Tour
18 Dec 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
As part of their annual holiday celebrations, the CTBUH staff was given a guided tour of the Monroe Building, an iconic turn-of-the-century high-rise along Michigan Avenue.
Insights and Innovations - The First 3D Printed Office Building
16 Dec 2015, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH Chicago held a presentation that introduced current research and advances in the field of 3D printed building design.
Chicago Regional Tour
29-30 Oct 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH 2015 delegates toured Chicago and its architectural marvels. From recently constructed skyscrapers to the modern marvel of Willis Tower, which held the tallest title for 25 years.
CAF: Open House Chicago
17-18 Oct 2015, Chicago – Event
Explore over 150 Chicago's hidden gems and architectural treasures of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods - all for free.
Warm Weather Spaces Walking Tours 2015
17 Sep 2015 – Tour Report
The CTBUH Urban Habitat / Urban Design Committee organized guided walking tours of 16 cities around the globe, focusing on urban habitats around tall buildings.
Wolf Point West Tower Tour
27 Aug 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH Chicago hosted a tour of Wolf Point West Tower, a new building currently under construction along the Chicago River.
Thomas Wysockey Civil Engineering Scholarship Fundraising Dinner
16 Jul 2015, Chicago – Event
The Thomas Wysockey Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund is holding their second annual fundraising dinner, featuring guest speaker Joseph G. Burns of Thornton Tomasetti.
Tall Building Fire Safety Management Course, Chicago
8-12 Jun 2015, Chicago – Event
The Tall Building Fire Safety Management Training Course is packed with useful tools and techniques for those tasked with management, delivered over 5 days.
CCHRB Spring Seminar: “People Movement in High Rise Buildings"
11 Jun 2015, Chicago – Event
Join CCHRB for a Spring Seminar on “People Movement in High Rise Buildings.” This will be a half-day discussion on the modern elevator and the latest technologies in vertical transit.
5th International Congress on Construction History
3-7 Jun 2015, Chicago – Event
The Construction History Society of America will be hosting the 5th International Congress on Construction History at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago.
EMI Lead Chicago Tall-Building Study Trip
25-29 May 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
A group of 20 Belgian real estate professionals traveled to Chicago from May 25-29 to visit several tall buildings, and related developments as part of a CTBUH Belgium study trip.
CTBUH Chicago Tour the Ability Institute of RIC
28 May 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH Chicago hosted a tour of Gensler's Ability Institute of RIC which is currently under construction and set to become the sixth-tallest hospital in the world.
BCO Members Tour IIT Campus
22 May 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
As a supporting partner of this year’s British Council for Offices Conference, the CTBUH hosted more than 40 visitors from the BCO for an event on its home campus at IIT.
First Meeting for CTBUH Damping Technologies Research
19 May 2015, Chicago – Event Report
More than 40 industry and academic experts convened at CTBUH Chicago to mark the launch of the Bouygues Construction-funded damping initiative.
Trustees Meeting Heralds Bright Future For CTBUH
9 Mar 2015, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the year, reviewing 2014 accomplishments, 2015 plans, the New York Conference, and more.
CTBUH ’UH’PDATE February 2015
26 Feb 2015, Toronto – CTBUH News
The second issue of CTBUH 'UH'PDATE goes over the success of the 7 Cities Winter Walking Tours and welcoming 5 new committee members.
CTBUH Chicago Talks Tall Timber
25 Feb 2015, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH Chicago and YPC held a lecture entitled “Tall Timber Buildings: Trends and Research” given by Benton Johnson, drawing 90-plus attendees.
CAF Engineering Fest
21-22 Feb 2015, Chicago – Event
CAF is seeking volunteers interested in introducing youth ages 3-12 and their families to engineering concepts through hands on activities at our inaugural EngineeringFest.
Philip Oldfield Gives Talk on Rethinking the Tall Building
20 Feb 2015, Chicago – Event Report
Dr. Philip Oldfield delivered a presentation on "Rethinking the Tall Building: Opportunities in the 21st Century Metropolis" as part of the ongoing IIT Cloud Talk series.
Chicago: Birthplace of the Skyscraper with WTTW's Geoffrey Baer
12 Feb 2015, Chicago – Event
Is Chicago truly the birthplace of the skyscraper? And what makes a building a skyscraper anyway? Geoffrey Baer will visit the NIU campus to provide those answers and more.
Seven Cities Winter Spaces Walking Tour
29 Jan 2015 – Tour Report
The new CTBUH Urban Habitat / Urban Design Committee organized a highly successful Winter Spaces Walking Tour in seven cities around the world.
Chinese Architects Visit CTBUH Headquarters
19 Jan 2015, Chicago – Tour Report
Nine Chinese architects and landscape architects visited CTBUH headquarters as part of an academic mission to the US
Chicagoisms
5 Apr-4 Jan 2015, Chicago – Event
This exhibition surveys Chicago’s rich urban history & explores contemporary approaches to five Chicagoisms–key historical principles that have powered the city’s distinctive evolution.
CTBUH Releases Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2014
Dec 2014 – CTBUH Journal Paper
An All-Time Record 97 Buildings of 200 Meters or Higher Completed in 2014 and 2014 showed further shifts towards Asia, and also surprising developments in building functions and structural materials.
CTBUH Staff Given Tour of Tribune Tower
19 Dec 2014, Chicago – Tour Report
Led by Blair Kamin, the architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, the CTBUH Staff enjoyed a tour of the local Tribune Tower as part of its annual holiday party tradition.
Young Professional Group Annual Meeting
6 Nov 2014, Chicago – Event Report
The annual meeting of the Young Professionals’ Committee took place at the CTBUH Awards Symposium where the group reviewed previous activities and planned future activities.
Young Professionals Tour Under-Construction OneEleven
17 Jul 2014, Chicago – Tour Report
The Young Professionals Committee toured OneEleven, a half-finished Chicago residential high-rise project that was restarted with a radically new design.
CCHRB Addresses Question: “Refurbish, Repurpose or Replace?”
12 Jun 2014, Chicago – Event Report
A recent seminar of CCHRB, co-sponsored by CTBUH, thoroughly examined the question of how cities should deal with existing, outdated tall buildings.
YPC Presents on Complex Chicago Mixed-Use Project
16 Apr 2014, Chicago – Event Report
The Young Professionals Committee of CTBUH facilitated a roundtable discussion on Chicago’s under-construction mixed-use development 455 North Park Drive, at Crown Hall, Illinois Instit
Trustees Meeting Reflects CTBUH’s Momentum
28 Feb 2014, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH Board of Trustees met February 28, setting the course for a number of strategic Council initiatives, including the Strategic Five-Year Plan.
YPC Roundtable Discussion: Hackable Cities and Work in the City
27 Feb 2014, Chicago – Event Report
The Young Professionals Committee hosted a discussion which introduced the concept of "hacking" the built environment to create pragmatic, yet dynamic, augmentations to the city.
Study on Sustainability Implications of Urban + Suburban Location
Feb 2014, Chicago – CTBUH Research
CTBUH is conducting a research study aimed at understanding the contributing factors of “sustainability” in both urban and suburban contexts.
CTBUH Staff Given Tour of AMA Plaza
13 Dec 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
In keeping with its annual tradition, CTBUH staff enjoyed a tall-building tour as part of its holiday party, exploring the newly remodeled AMA Plaza.
Leaders’ Meeting Focuses on Increasing and Energizing Membership
8 Nov 2013, Chicago – Event Report
The top global leadership of the CTBUH held the annual Leader Meeting in Chicago to discuss activating leaders around the world.
2013 Awards Symposium
7 Nov 2013, Chicago – Awards Event Report
In its fourth year, the CTBUH’s free Awards Symposium was expanded to a full day event, bringing in presentations from four of the Finalist projects and the Innovation Winners.
Tongji University Faculty and Students Visit Chicago
Nov 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
“Towards Zero Carbon,” a collaborative design studio between Tongji University, CTBUH and the Illinois Institute of Technology, made a week-long visit to Chicago in November.
Young Professionals Tour Medical Tower Under Construction
12 Sep 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH’s Young Professionals Committee was treated to a tour of the under-construction Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Care Pavilion.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chosen as Featured Building
Aug 2013, Chicago – Featured Tall Building
Urbanistically and architecturally, Trump Tower represents a high standard of contextual design—fitting very well into the city.
CTBUH Visits ACME Plant Site, Furthering Recycling Knowledge
10 Jul 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The Life Cycle Assessment of Tall Building Structural Systems research team gained significant understanding of the steel recycling process after a meeting at the ACME Refining Plant.
CTBUH Gains Info on Concrete Recycling at Bluff City
10 Jul 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH research team visited Bluff City Materials to gain a greater understanding of the amount of energy that goes into recycling concrete.
CTBUH Researchers Uncover Cost of Steel Recycling Process at ACME
9 Jul 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH research team made a short trip to visit ACME Refining to collect more information regarding the energy involved in steel scrap and the processes employed in the facility.
CTBUH Visits Gerdau Ameristeel Facility
25 Jun 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH research team traveled to the Gerdau Ameristeel Facility to gain more information regarding the steel to be analyzed in the Life Cycle Assessment research project.
CTBUH Researchers Tour MBL Recycling Plant
24 Jun 2013, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH research team made a visit to MBL Recycling to gather more information for the Life Cycle Assessment of Tall Building Structural Systems research project.
CTBUH Researchers, Clark Construction Meet
27 Mar 2013, Chicago – Event Report
The CTBUH research team met with Senior Project Manager Chris Phares of Clark Construction Group as part of the LCA Study.
YPC Holds Student Workshop on Coast at Lakeshore East
20 Mar 2013, Chicago – Event Report
The Young Professionals Committee hosted its first student workshop at the University of Illinois at Chicago on the Coast at Lakeshore East.
Trustees Meeting 2013, Chicago
4 Mar 2013, Chicago – Event Report
The board of trustees of the CTBUH held its annual meeting at IIT in Chicago on March 4. As a first order of business, the board welcomed three new trustees.
Young Professionals Student Workshop on Vertical University
4 Feb 2013, Chicago – Event Report
The Young Professionals Committee hosted a student workshop at the Illinois Institute of Technology on Roosevelt Tower.
Chicago Board of Trade Tour Report
14 Dec 2012, Chicago – Tour Report
The Chicago Board of Trade opened its doors to CTBUH staff offering a glimpse behind the scenes at one of the Windy City’s most famous buildings.
Helmut Jahn Discusses His Lifetime's Work
18 Oct 2012 – Awards Symposium Video & PPT
Never predictable, never simplistic, Helmut Jahn has developed a complex portfolio of iconic buildings around the world. Standout projects include the Sony Center in Berlin, Xerox Center in Chicago…
2012 Awards Symposium
18 Oct 2012, Chicago – Awards Event Report
In its third year, the annual free Awards Symposium was held the day before the Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower Chosen as Featured Building
Aug 2012, Chicago – Featured Tall Building
The design concept defined an initial building to serve a company’s immediate needs and planned for vertical expansion in the future.
CTBUH Leads Tour of MCA Skyscraper Exhibit
28 Jul 2012, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH Executive Director Antony Wood linked the art and reality of tall buildings in a gallery tour of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago exhibition, Skyscraper.
Climbing the Coast: Tour Report of New Chicago Skyscraper
24 Jul 2012, Chicago – Tour Report
With only two floors left before topping out, the CTBUH Young Professionals Committee organized a tour last week of the Coast at Lakeshore East.
CTBUH Celebrates First Exhibition
21 Jun 2012, Chicago – Event Report
Chicago Architecture Foundation event spotlights work of CTBUH and AS+GG with Illinois Institute of Technology students: “Unseen City: Designs for a Future Chicago.”
Inside the Roosevelt
9 May 2012, Chicago – Tour Report
Four days after the official opening of Roosevelt University’s new tower, guests of the CTBUH’s Young Professionals Committee were treated to a tour of the newest addition to the Chicago skyline.
Young Professionals Committee Holds Inaugural Event
4 Apr 2012, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH’s newly-established Young Professionals Committee staged their first event, a multi-disciplinary presentation on the creation of Aqua, the landmark Chicago tower.
Trustees Meeting 2012 Report, Chicago
19 Mar 2012, Chicago – Event Report
After one of the most successful years in the 43-year history of the CTBUH, the Board of Trustees gathered to review recent initiatives and discuss the Council’s long-term strategies.
Roosevelt University: Auditorium Building and New Vertical Campus Tower Tour
16 Dec 2011, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH staff observed history being made as Chicago’s past meets Chicago’s future in the two Roosevelt University buildings.
Aqua Tower Chosen as Featured Building
Dec 2011, Chicago – Featured Tall Building
The signature cantilevered balconies are breathtaking and exemplary of where concrete technology can take tall building design today.
CTBUH Going Up!
6 Nov 2011, Chicago – Event
For the third year, some of the sports challenged staff members and friends of CTBUH participated in the SkyRise Chicago stair climbing race.
2011 Awards Symposium
3 Nov 2011, Chicago – Awards Event Report
For the second year, the CTBUH has organized a free afternoon Awards Symposium to precede the annual Awards Ceremony & Dinner.
Chair-Elect Timothy Johnson Visits CTBUH HQ
Sep 2011, Chicago – Tour Report
Timothy Johnson of NBBJ, due to take over as CTBUH Chair in October 2011, visited the CTBUH headquarters recently for meetings with Executive Director Antony Wood and CTBUH staff.
The Norman Ramsey Collection
9 May 2011, Chicago – Event
A fantastic collection of thousands of books, articles and postcards documenting decades of tall building history has been donated to the Council by Mr. Norman Ramsey.
The John Hancock Center Chosen as Featured Building
Mar 2011, Chicago – Featured Tall Building
Over forty years after its completion, the John Hancock Center has established itself as one of the world’s most recognized skyscrapers and an iconic example.
CTBUH Releases Tallest Buildings Completed in 2010
Dec 2010 – CTBUH Journal Paper
In a year dominated by news coverage of the new “World’s Tallest Building” – Burj Khalifa, Dubai – one may be surprised to learn that, besides being the year in which a building first surpassed the…
Jewelers Building Tour
17 Dec 2010, Chicago – Tour Report
The CTBUH participated in an exciting tour of Chicago's historic Jewelers Building situated along the Chicago River.
Visit to the 300 North LaSalle Tower, Chicago
3 Nov 2010, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH staffers participated in a tour of the recently completed 300 North LaSalle Building in downtown Chicago.
CTBUH 2010 Annual Leaders Meeting
22 Oct 2010, Chicago – Event Report
Following the CTBUH 9th Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony, the CTBUH Leadership team met again bright and early on the campus of the IIT in Chicago for their annual Leaders Meeting.
2010 Awards Symposium
21 Oct 2010, Chicago – Awards Event Report
For the first time, the CTBUH organized an Awards Symposium for the winners preceding the annual Awards Dinner.
Marshall Gerometta Wins the 1st Annual CTBUH Golf Tournament
4 Jun 2010, Chicago – Event Report
The first CTBUH Annual Golf Tournament took place and after all score cards were turned in, CTBUH's database editor Marshall Gerometta emerged as the overall winner.
Mine the Gap Competition
15 May 2010, Chicago – Event Report
In May 2010, Chicago Architecture Club organized an international design ideas competition called MINE THE GAP.
Trump Tower Chicago, CTBUH Height Signboard Inaugurated
7 Apr 2010, Chicago – Event Report
On a rainy Wednesday the CTBUH gathered with members of the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago team for the inauguration of the building signboard.
CTBUH Running Up Skyscrapers
27 Mar 2010, Chicago – Event Report
Jan Klerks and John Lindbloom participated in the annual Fight-For-Air Climb, involving all four skyscrapers of the Presidential Towers in Chicago, with a combined 2,340 steps.
2009 Chicago Conference Report
Feb 2010, Chicago – CTBUH Publication
The Chicago Post Conference Review celebrates some of the best moments of the 2009 Chicago Conference. The report summarizes and profiles a number of the many memorable messages.
CTBUH Releases Tallest Buildings Completed in 2009
Dec 2009 – CTBUH Journal Paper
Trump International Hotel & Tower named tallest building completed in 2009; Successful year for the American high-rise. Over half of all buildings 200m or taller completed in the past twelve months…
Willis/Sears Tower Tour
29 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Members of CTBUH staff had a unique opportunity to see the in and outs of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago.
2009 Chicago Conference: Evolution of the Skyscraper
22-23 Oct 2009, Chicago – Conference
Tall Buildings have enjoyed two decades of unprecedented development – built in greater number, height and geographical spread than at any time in history.
Trump Tower Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
About 22 conference delegates had the opportunity to attend an educational pre-conference tour of Chicago skyline’s newest super-tall tower, the Trump International Hotel & Tower.
CTBUH 2009 Annual Leaders Meeting
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Event Report
Preceding the CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference, 55 leaders within the CTBUH organization gathered to discuss current developments, progress on projects, and new ideas and initiatives.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Building Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Attendees of the 2009 CTBUH Chicago Conference began their conference experience with a technical tour of the recent renovations to Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower.
CTBUH Presents Plaque to Trump Tower
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Event Report
CTBUH presented a plaque to The Trump Organization recognizing Trump Tower as the tallest all-concrete building in the world and the 7th tallest building in the world.
One Museum Park West Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Delegates from the CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference started their conference experience with a technical tour of One Museum Park West; a new 54 story residential tower in Chicago.
John Hancock Center Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Attendees of the 2009 CTBUH Chicago Conference were lead by Brian Keaty through the entirety of Chicago's famous John Hancock Center.
Aqua Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Close to 60 attendees of the 2009 CTBUH Chicago Conference began their conference experience with a two-hour technical tour of the recently completed Aqua Tower.
Legacy Tour
21 Oct 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
Attendees of the 2009 CTBUH Chicago Conference toured The Legacy at Millennium Park, one of the newest addition to the downtown loop area residential stock.
Next CTBUH Chair visits CTBUH HQ
27-28 Aug 2009, Chicago – Event Report
Professor Sang Dae Kim of Korea University, due to take over as CTBUH Chair in October 2009, visited the CTBUH offices for a 2-day meeting.
CTBUH Summer Tour - Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
17 Jul 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
The final tour of the CTBUH Summer Study Tour series was held at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters in downtown Chicago.
CTBUH Chicago Helicopter Tour
5 Jul 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH members toured many of the extensive Chicago skyscrapers as part of the Chicago Skyscrapers Summer Tour Program.
CTBUH Summer Tours - Aqua Tower
19 Jun 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
The crown jewel of Chicago’s Lakeshore East master planned community, Aqua Tower, was the subject for the second in the series of CTBUH Summer Tours.
CTBUH Trump Tower Tour
29 May 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH staff had a most informative tour of Chicago skyline’s newest feature, the Trump International Hotel & Tower.
CTBUH Summer Tall Tours Underway – Legacy at Millennium Park
22 May 2009, Chicago – Tour Report
The first of three CTBUH construction tours held in Chicago during the summer of 2009 was attended by 30 people, at the Legacy.
2009 Mock Firms Competition
8 May 2009, Chicago – Event
CTBUH staff Antony Wood, Jan Klerks and Philip Oldfield were involved in the reviews of the "Mock Firms National Skyscraper Challenge" organized by Chicago Architecture Today.
IIT and University of Nottingham Design Collaboration
Mar 2009, Chicago – Event Report
Students from the University of Nottingham recently visited Chicago as part of a tall building design studio collaboration with the ‘Remaking of Mumbai’ studio at IIT.
CTBUH Board of Trustees Inaugural Meeting
21 Jan 2009, Chicago – Event Report
The new CTBUH Board of Trustees met at CTBUH Headquarters for their inaugural meeting. The seven people who currently make up the board were all present at the meeting.
CTBUH Aqua Tower Tour
17 Dec 2008, Chicago – Tour Report
CTBUH staff had the great opportunity to receive an educational tour of the Aqua Tower guided, by Jim Loewenberg of Magellan Development Group.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Tour
29 Oct 2007, Chicago – Tour
Lucas Tryggestad of SOM gave an tour of the Trump International Hotel & Tower as part of the design research studio held at the Illinois Institute of Technology by Antony Wood.
Chicago City Hall Tour
Aug 2007, Chicago – Tour
As part of the IIT's studio project’s initial research and site study period a field visit was undertaken of the Chicago City Hall.
2006 Chicago Conference: Thinking Outside the Box
25-26 Oct 2006, Chicago – Conference
The conference theme "Thinking Outside the Box: Tapered, Tilted, Twisted Towers" was addressed by many of the world's leading experts in architecture, engineering and construction.
1996 Chicago Conference: Tall Building Structures - A World View
15-18 Apr 1996, Chicago – Conference
The 1996 Conference on Tall Building Structures: A World View was held in Chicago, Illinois from April 15 -18.
1986 Chicago 3rd World Congress: Second Century of the Skyscraper
6-10 Jan 1986, Chicago – Conference
The 1886 3rd World Congress was held in Chicago, Illinois on the "Second Century of the Skyscraper" from Jan. 6-10.
1971 Chicago Conference: Planning & Design of Tall Buildings
29 Nov-1 Dec 1971, Chicago – Conference
The 1971 Fifth Regional Conference on Planning & Design of Tall Buildings was held in Chicago, Illinois from November 29-December 1st.

Videos

A Monument to the World: Dubai Creek Tower
21 Oct 2018 – Santiago Calatrava, Calatrava International

A Generous Public Domain at an Urban Crossroads
30 May 2018 – Anthony Scacco, Riverside Investment & Development; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners

Building Tall Skyscraper Lecture Series: Naturalizing the Vertical Realm
28 Mar 2018 – Sara Beardsley, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture; Luke Leung, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Molly Meyer, Omni Ecosystems; Yibo Xu, Stefano Boeri Architetti China

More Videos

Videos Related to Chicago

A Monument to the World: Dubai Creek Tower
21 Oct 2018 – Presentation at CTBUH 2018 Middle East Conference; Santiago Calatrava, Calatrava International
The Dubai Creek Tower’s monumental design is influenced by the natural forms of the lily and evokes the shape of a minaret, a distinctive architectural feature in Islamic…
A Generous Public Domain at an Urban Crossroads
30 May 2018 – Presentation at CTBUH 2018 Chicago Tall + Urban Conference; Anthony Scacco, Riverside Investment & Development; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners
The 150 North Riverside site is located prominently at the confluence of the three branches of the Chicago River and less than one block away from one of Chicago's…
Building Tall Skyscraper Lecture Series: Naturalizing the Vertical Realm
28 Mar 2018 – Building Tall Skyscraper Lecture Series; Sara Beardsley, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture; Luke Leung, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Molly Meyer, Omni Ecosystems; Yibo Xu, Stefano Boeri Architetti China
Thursday, February 1, 2018. Chicago, United States of America. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) held…
New South Wales at 10 Million: What Comes Next?
30 Oct 2017 – Presentation at CTBUH 2017 Australia Conference; Douglas Voigt, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
Population projections show that New South Wales (NSW) will grow to nearly 10 million people by 2036, adding 2.7 million residents. Sydney, the economic center of the…
Interview: Robert Foster
30 Oct 2017 – 2017 Australia Conference Interviews; Robert Foster, The University of Queensland
Robert Foster of The University of Queensland is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2017 CTBUH Australia Conference.
Building Tall Skyscraper Lecture Series: How High Can We Go?
16 Mar 2017 – Building Tall Skyscraper Lecture Series; Antony Wood, CTBUH; Richard Tomasetti, Thornton Tomasetti; Ian Smith, thyssenkrupp, Gordan Gill, Adrain Smill + Gordon Gill Architecture
Thursday, March 16, 2017. Chicago, United States of America. Hosted in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the first lecture of the series Building…
Finding Tailored Solutions to Common Problems
3 Nov 2016 – CTBUH "15th Annual Awards"; Ron Klemencic, Magnusson Klemencic Associates
As Chairman and CEO of Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Ron Klemencic has played an active role in shaping the direction of the structural engineering community. His…
CTBUH 2016 China Conference - Panel,"Tall Buildings and Context: How High Can We Go and Why Should We?"
18 Oct 2016 – Presentation at CTBUH 2016 China Conference; Ron Klemencic, Magnusson Klemencic Associates; Karl Almstead, Turner Construction Company; Andrew Nicholson, CBRE; Jon Pickard, Pickard Chilton; Ian Smith, thyssenkrup
Tuesday, October 18, 2016. Shenzhen, China. Ron Klemencic, Magnusson Klemencic Associates; Karl Almstead, Turner Construction Company; Andrew Nicholson, CBRE; Jon…
Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Sustainability
17 Oct 2016 – Presentation at CTBUH 2016 China Conference; Antony Wood, CTBUH
This research is focused on quantitatively investigating and comparing the environmental and social sustainability of people’s lifestyles in terms of embodied energy,…
From Meadows to Megacities: Creating Urban Density in the Pearl River Region
17 Oct 2016 – Presentation at CTBUH 2016 China Conference; Travis Soberg, Goettsch Partners
The Greater Pearl River Delta region emerged as a result of China's 1979 reform policies. Within the last 20 years, the GPRD has grown from a population of less than 10…
Urban Open Space - A Tower in the Park and a Park in the Tower
26 Oct 2015 – Presentation at CTBUH 2015 New York Conference; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners
In urban centers dominated by tall buildings, access to outdoor space is important. We will explain how two urban office building developments provide valuable outdoor…
S. R. Crown Hall Roundtable: Tall Buildings
3 Oct 2015 – CTBUH Leader Presentations & Meetings; Antony Wood, IIT/CTBUH; Luke Leung, SOM; et al.
IIT Architecture hosted a series of four roundtables on October 2nd and 3rd to celebrate the opening of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The third roundtable focused on…
Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Award: Wind Engineering the World’s Tallest
6 Nov 2014 – CTBUH "13th Annual Awards"; Dr. Peter Irwin, RWDI Consulting Engineers
Peter Irwin, one of the founding partners of Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin Inc. (RWDI), has led wind engineering on many of the world’s tallest buildings, including the…
Interview: Mehdi Jalayerian
16 Sep 2014 – 2014 Shanghai Conference Interviews; Mehdi Jalayerian, Environmental Systems Design
Mehdi Jalayerian of Environmental Systems Design is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2014 CTBUH Shanghai Conference at the Jin Mao Tower. Mehdi discusses the…
Fazlur Khan Lifetime Achievement Medal: Geotechnics for the World’s Tallest
7 Nov 2013 – CTBUH "12th Annual Awards"; Clyde N. Baker, Jr., AECOM
Clyde Baker has performed geotechnical engineering for seven of the 16 tallest buildings in the world, and a major portion of the high-rise buildings built in downtown…
From London to Chicago: The Willis Group and Tall Buildings
11 Jun 2013 – Presentation at CTBUH 2013 London Conference; Carmine Bilardello, Willis Group
From the 1970’s seminal Willis Faber Dumas Ipswich building, through 51 Lime Street London (winner of the CTBUH 2008 Best Tall Building Europe award), to the Willis (ex-…
Interview: Emerging Corporate Mobility
11 Jun 2013 – 2013 London Conference Interviews; Carmine Bilardello, Willis Group
Carmine Bilardello of Willis Group is interviewed by Jeff Herzer during the 2013 CTBUH London Conference at The Brewery, London. Carmine talks about emerging corporate…
2013 CTBUH YPC Presentation
4 Feb 2013 – CTBUH Leader Presentations & Meetings; Roosevelt Tower Student Workshop
The Young Professionals organized a Student Workshop at IIT to cover the design and construction of Roosevelt Tower. The presentation was led by: Joe Dietz, VOA…
Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award: Archi-neering Tall
18 Oct 2012 – CTBUH "11th Annual Awards"; Helmut Jahn, Murphy/Jahn
Never predictable, never simplistic, Helmut Jahn has developed a complex portfolio of iconic buildings around the world. Standout projects include the Sony Center in…
Interview: How Buildings Meet the Ground
20 Sep 2012 – 2012 Shanghai Congress Interviews; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners
James Goettsch of Goettsch Partners is interviewed by Jeff Herzer during the 2012 CTBUH Shanghai Congress at the Jin Mao, Shanghai. James discusses the history of the…
Interview: Management of Tall Buildings
20 Sep 2012 – 2012 Shanghai Congress Interviews; Tony Long, CBRE
Tony Long of CBRE is interviewed by Jeff Herzer during the 2012 CTBUH Shanghai Congress at the Jin Mao, Shanghai. Tony talks about the management of tall buildings and…
Vertical Expansion Leads to Innovative Solutions
Oct 2011 – Presentation at CTBUH 2011 Seoul Conference; Paul De Santis & Travis Soberg, Goettsch Partners
The 300 East Randolph building establishes a new standard for innovation in the Chicago skyline. Responding to the programmatic need to accommodate flexibility for future…
Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award: From New York to Shanghai: A Lifetime of Tall
21 Oct 2010 – CTBUH "9th Annual Awards"; William Pedersen, KPF
William Pedersen, Partner, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Mr. Pedersen’s approach to design has been one that weds formal and technical originality with a modesty informed…
Chicago: 125 Years of Tall – Reflections
23 Oct 2009 – Presentation at CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference; Mayor Richard M. Daley, City of Chicago
In the city where tall buildings began, this presentation highlights the historical trends, drivers and challenges behind tall buildings and sustainable urban development…
Decarbonization of Our Central Cities
23 Oct 2009 – Presentation at CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference; Adrian Smith, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Much of the consideration of sustainable design is being focused on new and future buildings. However, arguably, the greatest difference to cutting energy and carbon…
Skyscrapers as Business Strategy: Trump International Hotel and Tower - Chicago
22 Oct 2009 – Presentation at CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference; Eric Trump & Andy Weiss, The Trump Organization
The Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago completes this year as the tallest building in the US built in 35 years, since Sears Tower. In addition, it has set new…
Chicago: A City Re-Invents Itself
22 Oct 2009 – Presentation at CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference; William Testa, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Tall Buildings have enjoyed an unprecedented renaissance internationally in the past decade or two that has seen their number and height increase across much of the globe…
Chicago Spire: Technical Twisting and Turning
22 Oct 2009 – Presentation at CTBUH 2009 Chicago Conference; Richard Tomasetti, Thornton Tomasetti
For the best part of a decade, Asia eclipsed the U.S. as the leader in the world’s tallest buildings. In the mid-2000s, however, a number of U.S. cities once again…
Founder and First Chairman 'Lynn Beedle'
2 Nov 2008 – CTBUH Leader Presentations & Meetings; CTBUH 2008 Leader Presentation Video
Biography about Lynn Beedle and the Council on Tall Buildings, narrated by his son David and shown during the first annual awards dinner. For his 30 years of dedicated…
Chicago: Building a Green City
3 Mar 2008 – Presentation at CTBUH 2008 8th World Congress, Dubai; Sadhu Johnston, City of Chicago
Sadhu Johnston from the office of Mayor Richard Daley, City of Chicago, highlighted the city's tradition of innovation in architecture from balloon-frame houses to steel…
A Tale of Two Cities: Collaborative Innovations for Sustainable Towers
3 Mar 2008 – Presentation at CTBUH 2008 8th World Congress, Dubai; John Lahey & Martin Wolf, Solomon Cordwell Buenz; Ron Klemencic & Ola Johansson, MKA
John Lahey, Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Ron Klemencic, Magnusson Klemencic Associates presented two of their collaborative projects at the CTBUH 8th World Congress in…

Browse hundreds of other videos from Council events including conferences and interviews with prominent tall building professionals in the Video Library

Research Papers

Social Media and Popular Places: The Case of Chicago
Jun 2019 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 8 Number 2

How Do Outdoor Pollutant Concentrations Vary Along the Height of a Tall Building?
Jan 2019 – CTBUH Journal 2019 Issue I

Developments of Structural Systems Toward Mile-High Towers
1 Sep 2018 – International Journal of High-rise Buildings Volume 7 Number 3

More Papers

Papers Related to Chicago

Social Media and Popular Places: The Case of Chicago
Jun 2019 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 8 Number 2; Kheir Al-Kodmany, University of Illinois at Chicago
This paper offers new ways to learn about popular places in the city. Using locational data from Social Media platforms platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and…
How Do Outdoor Pollutant Concentrations Vary Along the Height of a Tall Building?
Jan 2019 – CTBUH Journal 2019 Issue I; Dr. Brent Stephens & Dr. Parham Azimi, Illinois Institute of Technology; Luke Leung, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
It is generally assumed that vertical pollutant dispersion can reduce exposures to ambient pollutants in tall buildings, as concentrations of some ground-source…
Developments of Structural Systems Toward Mile-High Towers
1 Sep 2018 – International Journal of High-rise Buildings Volume 7 Number 3; Kyoung Sun Moon, Yale University School of Architecture
Tall buildings which began from about 40 m tall office towers in the late 19th century have evolved into mixed-use megatall towers over 800 m. It is expected that even…
Dynamic Interrelationship between the Evolution of the Structural Systems and Façade Design in Tall Buildings
Mar 2018 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 7 Number 1; Kyoung Sun Moon, Yale University School of Architecture
The emergence of tall buildings in the late 19th century was possible by using new materials and separating the role of structures and that of non-structural walls from…
A Tall Building Ethos of Integration
Mar 2018 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 7 Number 1; Brian Lee, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
The last decade has seen great design opportunities for tall building construction around the globe. The best designs represent a new generation of skyscrapers that go…
Designing the High-Rise Building from the Inside/Out
Mar 2018 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 7 Number 1; Timothy Johnson & Jonathan Ward, NBBJ
For over 100 years, the tall building has largely advanced in technological innovation; however very little has been done in the terms of understanding the changing…
The Global Tall Building Picture: Impact of 2017
5 Feb 2018 – CTBUH Journal, 2018 Issue I
In 2017, 144 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed. This is the fourth record-breaking year in a row, and it brings the total number of 200-meter-plus…
2017: Skyscraper History’s Tallest, Highest- Volume, and Most Geographically Diverse Year
5 Feb 2018 – CTBUH Journal, 2018 Issue I
This 2017 Tall Building Year in Review / Tall Buildings in Numbers data analysis report shows that more buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed in 2017…
The Global Tall Building Picture: Impact of 2017
Feb 2018 – CTBUH Journal, 2018 Issue I; CTBUH Staff, CTBUH
In 2017, 144 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed. This is the fourth record-breaking year in a row, and it brings the total number of 200-meter-plus…
Why Healthy Workplaces Matter
Dec 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 4; Robert S. Best, JLL
Employers are realizing that workplaces have an immense impact on productivity. And, because people typically represent about 90% of a company’s costs, even a slight…
Designing High Performance MEP Systems for Supertall Buildings: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities
Dec 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 4; Craig Burton, Interface Engineering, Inc.
The design and construction of supertall buildings has grown dramatically in recent years. This area of practice has traditionally fallen within the purview of a very…
Multitasking Façade: How to Combine BIPV with Passive Solar Mitigation Strategies in a High-Rise Curtain Wall
Dec 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 4; Juan Betancur, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
This paper outlines the processes and strategies studied and selected by the team during the design stages of the project for the incorporation of BIPV into the tower’s…
The Ultra-Modern FKI Tower
Dec 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 4; John Peronto, Thornton Tomasetti
A modern and highly-sustainable addition to the skyline of Seoul, South Korea has been completed; the Federation of Korean Industries Headquarters (FKI). The signature…
The Path to Life Cycle Carbon Neutrality in High Rise Buildings
Dec 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 4; Chris Drew & Natalia Quintanilla, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Across the world, building energy codes are becoming stricter, demanding higher levels of energy performance with each issuance. Some locations have taken initiatives to…
Rethinking CTBUH Height Criteria In the Context of Tall Timber
30 Oct 2017 – CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue IV; Robert M. Foster, University of Queensland; Michael H. Ramage, University of Cambridge; Thomas Reynolds, The University of Edinburgh
Recent developments in the design and construction of progressively taller buildings using engineered timber as a structural material raise important questions about the…
Birds, Planes and Bio-Blitzes
8 Aug 2017 – CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue III; Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects
Having designed the 262-meter Aqua in Chicago, which completed in 2009, Jeanne Gang, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects, received considerable attention for…
Ten Significant Tall Buildings, and the Significant Women Behind Them
8 Aug 2017 – CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue III; Leading Women in Tall Buildings
Recently, there has been a growing and overdue recognition in the architecture discipline that women are under-represented, not just in terms of leadership positions held…
Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Urban Sustainability
Jun 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 2; Antony Wood & Peng Du, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
This paper presents the initial findings of a ground-breaking two-year CTBUH-funded research project investigating the real environmental and social sustainability of…
Debating Tall: Replace the Thomson Center?
28 Apr 2017 – CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue II; Helmut Jahn, JAHN; Mir Ali, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Chicago’s drum-shaped, 17-story James R. Thompson Center, with its soaring atrium and extensive glazing, has been criticized for poor temperature control and spatial…
River Beech Tower: A Tall Timber Experiment
20 Apr 2017 – CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue II; Jeff Sanner & Todd Snapp, Perkins+Will; Alejandro Fernandez, Thornton Tomasetti; et al.
The Chicago River Beech Tower is a collaborative research effort with the goal of identifying challenges and opportunities associated with designing increasingly tall…
Vertical Shortening Considerations in the 1 km Tall Jeddah Tower
Mar 2017 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 6 Number 1; John Peronto, Robert Sinn & Matthew Huizinga, Thornton Tomasetti
Jeddah Tower will be the first man-made structure to reach a kilometer in height upon its completion in 2019. From conception, it was clear that an all-concrete…
Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Urban Sustainability
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; Antony Wood & Peng Du, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
This paper presents the initial findings of a ground-breaking two-year CTBUH-funded research project investigating the real environmental and social sustainability of…
Sustainable Integration of Tall Buildings and the Urban Habitat for the Megacities of the Future
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; Mark Lavery, BuroHappold Engineering
Tall buildings increasingly dominate our skylines as an almost inevitable response to urbanisation. They often do not integrate well with the urban habitat in which they…
The Space Between: Urban Spaces Surrounding Tall Buildings
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; James Parakh, City of Toronto Planning Division
This paper is intended to introduce the upcoming CTBUH technical guide titled “The Space Between,” which investigates the importance of publicly accessible spaces…
From Icon to Community: The Repositioning of the Mega Tower in the City Context
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; Bryant Lu & Guymo Wong, Ronald Lu & Partners
Historically, mega-towers were frequently labelled “egocentric displays of power,” becoming iconic symbols of a city or an individual. In today’s age of global hyper-…
Façade Construction in China: Journey to Lean Design
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; Allan Chung, Gensler; Ivan Mutis, Illinois Institute of Technology
There is a recent trend in the construction industry to implement “lean concepts,” a management strategy based upon the Toyota Production System philosophy. While the…
Remodel, Recycle or Rebuild? - Addressing the Fire Safety Challenges of Repurposing Skyscrapers
17 Oct 2016 – Cities to Megacities: Shaping Dense Vertical Urbanism; Simon Lay, Olsson Fire & Risk
Some of our established world cities are already facing the challenge of older tall building stock that is no longer relevant to the most commercially attractive uses.…
Megacities: Setting the Scene
Oct 2016 – CTBUH Journal, 2016 Issue IV; Daniel Safarik, Shawn Ursini & Antony Wood; Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
The rise of the megacity presents unprecedented opportunities to understand the human urbanization phenomenon, and to observe the effects of multicore, polycentric cities…
Megacities: Design Challenges and Responses
17 Oct 2016 – CTBUH Journal, 2016 Issue IV; Scott Duncan & Philip Enquist, Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP
As this issue and the International Conference are focused on the megacity phenomenon, this edition of Talking Tall features two people who have designed tall buildings,…
Debating Tall: Should Tall Buildings be Demolished For Non-Safety Reasons?
28 Jul 2016 – CTBUH Journal, 2016 Issue III; Arthur Wellington, Thornton Tomasetti; Girish Dravid, Sterling Engineering
In several developing nations recently, skyscrapers were found to have been constructed in violation of local laws, and have been ordered demolished. In some cases, these…
A Whole LCA of the Sustainable Aspects of Structural Systems in Tall Buildings
Jun 2016 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 5 Number 2; Dario Trabucco, IUAV University of Venice; Antony Wood, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat; Olivier Vassart & Nicoletta Popa, ArcelorMittal
This paper summarizes the results of a two-year-long research project conducted by the CTBUH on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of tall building structural systems. The…
Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity
Jun 2016 – International Journal of High-Rise Buildings Volume 5 Number 2; Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects
In this paper we discuss the terms “exo-spatial design,” “solar carving,” and “bridging” as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology…
Challenges and Opportunities in Vertical Healthcare Design
Apr 2016 – CTBUH Journal, 2016 Issue II; Douglas King, VOA Associates
Vertical healthcare design is an emerging field with its own particular set of benefits and challenges. This building type will become more desirable and popular,…
The Tall Building Impact: From Local to Global
26 Oct 2015 – The Middle East: A Selection of Written Works on Iconic Towers and Global Place-Making; Adrian Smith & Peter Weismantle, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
AS+GG’s Director of Supertall Technology interviews AS+GG Partner Adrian Smith about the impact that supertall buildings have on a city’s identity, economy, ecological…
A Whole Life Cycle Assessment of the Sustainable Aspects of Structural Systems in Tall Buildings
26 Oct 2015 – The Future of Tall: A Selection of Written Works on Current Skyscraper Innovations; Dario Trabucco & Antony Wood, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat; Olivier Vassart & Nicoletta Popa, ArcelorMittal
During a dedicated two-year-long research effort, the CTBUH analyzed all life phases of a tall building’s structural system: the extraction and production of its…
FaçadeRetrofit.org: An Online Database Resource for the Façade Renovation of Existing Buildings
26 Oct 2015 – The Future of Tall: A Selection of Written Works on Current Skyscraper Innovations; Andrea Martinez, Karen M. Kensek & Douglas Noble, University of Southern California; Mic Patterson, Enclos Corp.
Much of the existing tall building stock is burdened with aging and underperforming façades, resulting in opportunities to substantially improve building performance…
Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects
In this paper we discuss the terms “exo-spatial design,” “solar carving,” and “bridging” as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology…
Rags to Riches: How Chicago’s 111 West Wacker Finally Got Built
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; Gary Handel & Stephen Matkovitz
With 25 floors and 40,000 cubic yards of concrete in place, 111 West Wacker stood for nearly 4 years on its prominent Chicago River site as a reminder of the recession…
The Network of Urban Spaces Surrounding Tall Buildings
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; James Parakh, City of Toronto Planning Department
This paper investigates the Network of Urban Spaces Surrounding Tall Buildings, the Tall Building as Place Makers how Tall Buildings meet the street. As contributing…
Urban Open Space - A Tower in the Park and a Park in the Tower
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners
In urban centers dominated by tall buildings, access to outdoor space is important. We will explain how two urban office building developments provide valuable outdoor…
Global Cyclical Resurgence and Clustering of Office Skyscrapers
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; Sofia Dermisi, University of Washington
Skyscraper development has been linked with financial extremes; this paper explores this relationship by analyzing global construction trends for office skyscrapers with…
Chicago – “The” Four Corners
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; Michael F. Kaufman, Goettsch Partners
GP was selected to Renovate or Adapt “The” prime corners of Michigan Avenue on both sides of the Chicago River, all within a two year period. The buildings include The…
It’s Not About the Skyline, It’s About the Base Condition
26 Oct 2015 – Global Interchanges: Resurgence of the Skyscraper City; Terri Boake, University of Waterloo
The rapid densification of cities is a fairly recent phenomenon and seems in many cases to be progressing without regard to important already established urban theory…
World’s Highest Observation Decks
Aug 2015 – CTBUH Journal, 2015 Issue III; CTBUH Research
Perhaps no element of a tall building is more closely related to the pure pleasure of standing high in the sky and taking in the view of one’s surroundings than…
Debating Tall: Tall Timber in 10 Years?
28 Jan 2015 – CTBUH Journal, 2015 Issue I; Carsten Hein, Arup; Carl Baldassarra, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Interest is growing in using wood as a building material for skyscrapers. Several 10-story-plus buildings have been constructed, and numerous academic, industry, and…
Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2014
Dec 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2015 Issue I; Daniel Safarik, Antony Wood, Marty Carver & Marshall Gerometta, CTBUH
An All-Time Record 97 Buildings of 200 Meters or Higher Completed in 2014 and 2014 showed further shifts towards Asia, and also surprising developments in building…
Dream Deferred: Unfinished Tall Buildings
Nov 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue IV; CTBUH Research
Without big dreams, there would be no tall buildings. Conceiving, financing, designing, and constructing a skyscraper is no simple feat, even under the best of conditions…
CTBUH Research Project: The Sustainability Implications of Urban + Suburban Locations – Initial Report
16 Sep 2014 – CTBUH 2014 Shanghai Conference Proceedings; Peng Du & Antony Wood, CTBUH
It is widely accepted that the concentration of people in denser cities – sharing space, infrastructure, and facilities – offers much greater energy efficiency than the…
Debating Tall: Is There a Height Threshold For Optimum Sustainability?
28 Jul 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue III; Jason McLennan, International Living Future Institute; Antony Wood, CTBUH
As increased density has become more accepted as necessity, the scale of that density is still under debate. Thus we ask, “Is the threshold for optimum sustainability in…
Debating Tall: Should Tall Buildings in Cold Climates be Designed Specifically to Stop Falling Ice?
28 Apr 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue II; Michael Carter & Roman Stangl, Northern Microclimate
Recent media attention in major urban centers such as New York City and Chicago has brought the issue of falling ice from tall buildings to the forefront. In an effort to…
Skyscrapers and Skylines: New York and Chicago, 1885–2007
Feb 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue I; Jason Barr, Rutgers University
This paper investigates skyscraper competition between New York City and Chicago from 1885 to 2007. Skyscraper rivalry between these cities is part of US historiography,…
Debating Tall: Antennas vs. Spires
28 Jan 2014 – CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue I; Larry Silverstein, Siliverstein Properties Inc.; Dario Trabucco, IUAV University of Venice
The CTBUH’s Height Committee ratified the architectural height of One World Trade Center last November, touching off massive media coverage and opening up complicated…
The Monadnock Building, Technically Reconsidered
Nov 2013 – CTBUH Journal, 2013 Issue IV; Thomas Leslie, Iowa State University
Far from being the world’s last and largest “masonry skyscraper,” the Monadnock was a profoundly transitional structural achievement, making important advances in steel…
Creating a Vertical University in an Urban Environment
Feb 2013 – CTBUH Journal, 2013 Issue I; Christopher Groesbeck, VOA Associates
Multi-function universities in tall buildings are still a rarity, but they are growing more common as institutions look for efficient and cost-effective ways to serve…
How Tall Buildings Meet the Ground is as Important as How They Meet the Sky
Sep 2012 – CTBUH 2012 9th World Congress, Shanghai; James Goettsch, Goettsch Partners
If you are concerned about the urban habitat, you have to be concerned about whether or not buildings provide a positive experience at the ground level.
Tall Buildings in Future Development of Metropolitan Universities
Sep 2012 – CTBUH 2012 9th World Congress, Shanghai; Christopher Groesbeck, VOA Associates; Jon DeVries & John McDonald, Roosevelt University; Ron Klemencic, MKA
In the future, the University will need to consider vertical models to co-exist within their urban cores and create a living and working balance. With the rise of…
3 Environments, 3 Programs, 3 Solutions
19 Sep 2012 – CTBUH 2012 9th World Congress, Shanghai; Paul De Santis & Travis Soberg, Goettsch Partners
The effects of climate change, increased population, and lack of natural resources are global issues. As the world continues to consolidate into regional urban centers,…
Debating Tall: A Supertall Future in the US?
27 Jan 2012 – CTBUH Journal, 2012 Issue I; Adrian Smith, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture; Paul Beitler, Beitler Real Estate Services LLC
In 1990, only 11 buildings in the world could be counted as a “supertall” (defined as a building over 300 meters tall), and all but one could be found in the United…
A Future for Tall Building History
Jan 2012 – CTBUH Journal, 2012 Issue I; Raymond Hartshorne & Paul Alessandro, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Looking at Chicago's or New York's skylines, one feature that sets apart the first skyscraper cities from the recent ones is the rich history of tall building…
Humanizing High-rise Urbanism: Design Strategies and Planning Tools
Nov 2011 – CTBUH Journal, 2011 Issue IV; Vinayak Bharne, Moule & Polyzoides
From a global standpoint, the high-rise city remains a negotiated territory, a juggling act between private interests, political processes and public good. But while…
What Came First?... the Tall Building or the Urban Habitat
Oct 2011 – CTBUH 2011 Seoul Conference; Robert M. Lau, CTBUH; Jon DeVries & John F. McDonald, Roosevelt University
This paper will examine the question, 'Did the Tall Building produce urban density or did the Urban Habitat of CBDs, with the creation of urban transit/transportation…
The High Life: Residential Towers in Central Business Districts
May 2011 – CTBUH Journal, 2011 Issue II; Peter Noone, Gary Klompmaker & Crista Sumanik, Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB)
These buildings serve growing segments of the population who desire amenity-rich lifestyles and safe urban homes. They serve cities that desire significant real estate…
From Eyesore to Urban Asset: The Transformation of Abandoned Railroad Structures in American Cities
May 2011 – CTBUH Journal, 2011 Issue II; Robert Lau, Roosevelt University
The high-line is a new 1.5-mile long public park built on an abandoned elevated railroad stretching from the Meatpacking District to the Hudson Rail Yards in Manhattan.
The Origin of the Skyscraper
Feb 2011 – CTBUH Journal, 2011 Issue I; Gerard Peet, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
The modern skyscraper is generally considered to be an American invention. Chicago and New York claim they once hosted the world's first skyscraper and many American…
Tallest Buildings Completed in 2010
Dec 2010 – CTBUH Journal, 2011 Issue I; CTBUH Research
In a year dominated by news coverage of the new “World’s Tallest Building” – Burj Khalifa, Dubai – one may be surprised to learn that, besides being the year in which a…
The High-rise as a Retirement Community
Aug 2010 – CTBUH Journal, 2010 Issue III; Bridget Lesniak & Robert Neper, Perkins + Will; Donald Hamlin, Thornton Tomasetti
As cities are becoming denser, the functions of high-rises are expanding. In addition, the central business district is no longer the exclusive region of the high-rise…
Historical Evolution of the Service Core
Feb 2010 – CTBUH Journal, 2010 Issue I; Dario Trabucco, IUAV University of Venice, Italy
The service core is the distinctive feature of a tall building: it provides the skyscraper with structural solidity, room for elevators, and other amenities, and…
Sustainability and the Tall Building: Recent Developments and Future Trends
Jan 2010 – AIA Illinois Central Symposium; Mir M. Ali & Paul Armstrong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
As a major energy consumer, the tall building does not ordinarily conjure images of sustainable design. But a new generation of tall buildings is incorporating new…
Tallest Buildings Completed in 2009
Dec 2009 – CTBUH Journal, 2010 Issue I; CTBUH Research
Trump International Hotel & Tower named tallest building completed in 2009; Successful year for the American high-rise. Over half of all buildings 200m or taller…
Case Study: Trump International Hotel & Tower
Aug 2009 – CTBUH Journal, 2009 Issue III; William Baker & Richard F. Tomlinson, SOM; Paul James, Bovis Lend Lease; Andrew Weiss, The Trump Organization
Chicago, a city known worldwide for its tall buildings, welcomed a new supertall tower to its skyline this year. Bookended by the 442-meter (1,450-foot) Sears Tower to…
Tall Buildings in the Global Recession: 2008, 2020 and Beyond
Feb 2009 – CTBUH Journal, 2009 Issue I; Philip Oldfield & Antony Wood, CTBUH
The year 2008 will long be remembered as the start of an economic crisis that has gripped the entire globe - a year that may also have brought to an abrupt end the…
Restoring Mies van der Rohe’s 860-880 Lake Shore Drive: When Less is Not Enough
Feb 2009 – CTBUH Journal, 2009 Issue I; Rico Cedro, Krueck & Sexton Architects
Mies van der Rohe's 860-880 Lake Shore Drive (1948-51) is one of the supreme monuments of modern architecture. With this pair of apartment buildings, Mies first realized…
The Tallest Buildings in the World: Past, Present & Future
Jun 2008 – CTBUH Journal, 2008 Issue II; CTBUH Research
Over time, the average height of the 100 tallest buildings in the world has been steadily increasing. However, by 2010, this average height will have jumped to 349…
Toward a Better Urban Life: Integration of Cities and Tall Buildings
Jun 2008 – 4th Architectural Conference on High Rise Buildings; Mir M. Ali & Ajla Aksamija, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
In the context of a rapidly urbanizing world, architects and planners should aim to create cities that are thriving, vibrant, and healthy. Well-planned cities containing…
The “International” Skyscraper: Observations
Mar 2008 – CTBUH 2008 8th World Congress, Dubai; Georges Binder, Buildings & Data SA
While using tall buildings data, the following paper aims to show trends and shifts relating to building use and new locations accomodating high-rise buildings.
Chicago: Building a Green City
Mar 2008 – CTBUH 2008 8th World Congress, Dubai; Richard M. Daley & Sadhu Johnston, City of Chicago
Chicago has a tradition of innovation in architecture from balloon-frame houses to steel skyscrapers to today’s green buildings. Chicago was one of the first cities to…
The Race for the Sky: Unbuilt Skyscrapers
Feb 2008 – CTBUH Journal, 2008 Issue I; Mohamad Kashef, East Carolina University
Unbuilt skyscraper designs are noted by many architecture critics as the best in the genre of tall buildings. This paper provides an exposition of various iconic and “…
The “International” Skyscraper: Observations
Feb 2008 – CTBUH Journal, 2008 Issue I; Georges Binder, Buildings & Data SA
While using tall buildings data, the following paper aims to show trends and shifts relating to building use and new locations accommodating high-rise buildings. After…
High-rise with Cable Net Facade for the 21st Century!
Oct 2003 – CTBUH Journal, Spring 2001; Abbas Aminmansour, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
This article offers a synopsis of some of the unique features of the building and offers an insight into the collaboration between team members involved in the design and…

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