The Pros and Cons of Skyscrapers

April 2, 2020 9:32 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Skyscrapers are major undertakings that require complete conceptual design to ensure their aesthetic value and structural integrity. Whether you are building in Indiana or anywhere else in the United States or Canada, the benefits of skyscrapers are often apparent in the “wow” factor, although there are disadvantages as well. Here is an overview of the pros and cons of skyscrapers.

The benefits of skyscrapers

Skyscrapers are the best way to have as much work or retail space in as few city blocks as possible. Height creates space in dense cities, and large cities like New York and Chicago are notable for their skyscrapers grouped together in the city center. This also allows for a larger profit margin, since a tall building often generates more lease income for its owner.

Tall buildings are also innovative in the environmental department. Bringing space into a city center reduces urban sprawl, allowing for better preservation of natural areas. Depending on how they are built, many skyscrapers are also energy efficient and even made with recycled materials. A vibrant city center with plenty of space for restaurants, shopping or work can support public transportation, which gets more people out of their cars and polluting less.

Skyscrapers also support affordable living. They are not just business places, but also apartments and communities. People can live near downtown and have access to shopping and services, which reduces travel-related expenses like car insurance, fuel and repairs. Many affordable housing facilities are skyscrapers because the volume can reduce rent expenses.

Finally, everyone loves a good view, and skyscrapers provide them. All you have to do is see the number of tourists visiting the top of the Empire State Building to enjoy the cityscape to understand this concept. This adds to skyscrapers’ awe-inspiring mystique.

Skyscraper disadvantages

The main disadvantage of skyscrapers is how they can tend to take over a city. Rather than support ground-level interaction, they tend to isolate people with their omnipresence. Cities evolve when people interact, and skyscrapers do little to encourage that.

Also, the advantage of the view from skyscrapers also destroys the view in shorter buildings. Lawsuits arise because a new skyscraper blocks a river view or creates more vortex shedding. Skyscrapers block or overshadow historic buildings that may have once had an excellent view.

Anyone who is building a skyscraper should plan carefully to avoid becoming a neighborhood pariah. Also, as more cities pass ordinances regarding air space and building height, it is important to comply with those rules and ensure your structure is not a non-compliant eyesore.

Skyscrapers also have their structural vulnerabilities. While innovation continues to make them better able to withstand earthquakes and natural disasters, they remain difficult to manage. Fire is especially a concern, because their size makes it more difficult to evacuate people. During the design phase, it is important to not only consider structural integrity but also ensure the safety of those who work and play inside. Fire suppression systems and escape routes are essential components of any new skyscraper construction project.

To learn more about the benefits of skyscrapers in Indiana and beyond, reach out to the team at Benchmark Fabricated Steel. We’d love to tell you more about some of the projects we’ve worked on—and how we can help with yours!

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