COVER FEATURE
Tall Buildings and Elevators : A Review of Recent Technological Advances
By By Kheir Al-Kodmany , Department of Urban Planning and Policy College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago
COVER FEATURE
Efficient vertical mobility is a critical component of tall building development and construction . This article investigates recent advances in elevator technology and examines their impact on tall building development . It maps out , organises , and collates complex and scattered information on multiple aspects of elevator design , and presents them in an accessible and non-technical discourse . Further , the article discusses future vertical transportation models including a vertical subway concept , a space lift , and electromagnetic levitation technology . As these new technological advancements in elevator design empower architects to create new forms and shapes of large-scale , mixeduse developments , this article concludes by highlighting the need for inter-disciplinary research in incorporating elevators in skyscrapers .
When people think about the development of cities , rarely do they contemplate the critical role of vertical transportation . Consider , however , that each day , more than seven billion elevator journeys are taken in tall buildings all over the world [ 1 , 2 ]. Efficient vertical transportation has the ability to limit or expand our ability to build taller and taller skyscrapers , and recent innovations in elevator design promise to significantly reduce energy consumption .
In addition to highlighting the importance of elevators in the development of our cities , this article aims to educate about the intersection of green technologies with energy-efficient elevators . New innovations are leading to the introduction of energy-efficient elevators that not only consume less energy , but also produce clean energy . In this regard , the article advocates for investment in innovative research and development of “ green ” elevators . “ Green ” has become an emerging and dominant design philosophy . With so many building products being marketed with a “ green ” angle , this article provides useful information to help in making “ green ” choices when it comes to incorporating elevators in skyscrapers [ 5 – 9 ]. Architects and architectural students may particularly find this useful since it contains essential knowledge for incorporating elevators in tall buildings .
Third , this article discusses the need for revisions to local building codes to allow and encourage the adoption of “ green ” elevators . Restrictive building codes in some countries , including the United States , are often a barrier to employing innovative , emerging , elevator technologies . Governments should consider financial incentives , perhaps in the form of tax credits , for the incorporation of green elevators into future skyscrapers , and the retrofitting of green elevators into older buildings . Authorities
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