6 Important High Rise Building Considerations

If you are looking to construct a high-rise building in Ontario, there are several important factors you need to take into consideration. Building codes, local regulations, and structural standards need to be followed for your high rise building construction. You also need to take into account the building’s design, utility, and occupants’ comfort, to ensure your high-rise will prove to be functional and have longevity so that it will be able to stand the test of time.

In this blog, we share 6 important factors you need to consider for a functional high-rise building construction that lives up to your client’s expectations.

1. Site Assessment

The first step before starting your high-rise building is to do a proper site assessment of the area. This will help you understand the geological aspects of the site such as soil components, groundwater flow, and the load-bearing capacity of the soil.

You also need to ensure that the building design conforms to the local building guidelines. You should be aware of factors such as building height requirements, setback area, architectural design compliance, adherence to LEED, and others. A full-service construction company in your area can help you design a building that follows all the required guidelines.

2. Structural Strength

When designing and constructing a high-rise building, it is important to make sure that the building structure is safe and sustainable. A civil engineer can take into account various factors and calculate the proper high-rise building requirements, such as vertical and horizontal load-bearing capacities. The building must be resilient such that in case of any damage to the internal structure, the overall building will still be able to withstand the impact.

3. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

When considering high-rise building construction, one of its most complex design elements is the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system.

The most crucial mechanical design element of a building is the heating and cooling system. The HVAC system enables residents to dwell in the building in all weather conditions – be it the hot summers or freezing winters.

Similarly, the electrical infrastructure of the building is important as it provides lighting, temperature control, data connectivity, and other necessities of daily life to the building’s residents.

Of course, we cannot forget the plumbing! This system provides water for drinking, cleaning, and sanitation. Other important building systems include lifts, fire protection systems, security systems, and telecommunications.

You need to make sure all the systems are designed efficiently and connected properly so that they are functional and provide comfort to the residents.

4. Energy Efficiency

In today’s environmentally-conscious era, you need to be mindful of how much energy your high-rise building will consume. From strategic architectural designing to materials and equipment used, all of these contribute to the energy efficiency of the high-rise project.

If you want to build a net zero building or a LEED certified building, you will need to devise ways to reduce the electricity and water consumption of the building. For instance, the HVAC system of a building can account for 38% of energy consumption followed by lighting at 25%. Using energy-rated HVAC systems and energy-efficient lighting systems can significantly lower your building’s carbon footprint and reduce utility bills.

To enhance energy efficiency, you can also accessorize the building with smart thermostats and other smart home features such as sensor-based lighting, heating and cooling, and water taps.

To improve overall sustainability, it is also possible to incorporate environment-friendly building materials, use eco-friendly vendors, and adopt sustainable construction practices that minimize overall wastage and cost.

5. Exterior Façade

The exterior façade of the building is an integral part of the building structure. When designing this feature, you have to strike the perfect balance; your building should blend with and complement the existing structures in the area but should not appear to be “camouflaged” with the rest of the buildings. On the other hand, it should not be so strikingly different from the rest of the buildings that it stands out like a sore thumb in the neighbourhood… unless you hope to make a statement! You also need to make sure the materials you use for the façade are high quality and durable as they will need to withstand harsh elements.

6. Occupants’ Comfort

When designing and constructing a high-rise building, one of the most important factors to consider is the people who will be living in the building. Ultimately, if they are not happy or comfortable, then it does not matter how costly or stylish your high-rise building turns out to be.

To ensure user comfort and provide an enriched experience, it is important that the floor plan is thoughtfully designed, and the features and amenities included are stunning and extravagant. Today’s urban buildings are designed and planned in such a way that they provide the ultimate comfort to the residents, and often include many bespoke amenities such as a pet spa, movie theatre, outdoor terrace with BBQ area, co-working space, fitness centre, yoga studio, and much more. They are designed so that people can access all these amenities without leaving the comfort of their building. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of the modern-day high-rise building designer to think outside the box and offer an elevated living experience to the occupants.

If you take these factors into consideration, you are sure to build a desirable high-rise building. At North Shore Management, a leading construction company located in Vaughan- Ontario, we pride ourself on our industry knowledge, custom designs, and engineering expertise. Combined with a customer focused approach, we are confident that we will deliver your high-rise project on time, with the finest quality, and within your budget. If you are interested in our services and offerings for your next high rise building construction project, connect with our high-rise experts.

Phil McKee

President
NSM Group of Companies