Exploring Social Spaces in Tower Living

As towers get bigger and bigger they form their own structure and systems, which have become a monoculture and an old paradigm. Exploring Social Spaces in Tower Living reimagines the skyscraper as a connected, imaginative and resilient entity in its community. We seek to understand what kinds of programs and spaces bring people together. We ask: How can we make our tower shared spaces be more responsive to today’s social needs?

We propose a three-part study that looks at contemporary towers, built or in a planning process, in Europe, Asia and North America. We will collect, analyze and present data of 50 projects on a comparable ground using highly graphic communication tools.

Firstly, we will conduct a precedent study of projects that are mixed-use and have a focus on innovative shared amenities. We will compare the mix of amenities and programming and their placement within the tower. A presentation to Matchpoint will narrow down the 50 projects to 4-8 projects which we will investigate further in the next stage.

Secondly, 4-8 projects will inform three schematic proposals focusing on diverse amenities that could form part of a final design.

Faculty Supervisor:

Inge Roecker

Student:

Partner:

Matchpoint Development

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure; Real estate and rental and leasing

University:

The University of British Columbia