The past 100 years have seen tremendous innovations in the structure, cladding and MEP systems of the high-rise; however, the lifeline of the building, the core, has remained unchanged. The equipment which constitutes the core – structure, elevators, stairs, shafts, HVAC& MEP – has all become more efficient, yet the size and inefficiency of the core has grown and has become less efficient. Perhaps the core has fallen victim to cautious building codes and the commercial needs of developers?Perhaps these two ‘objective’ demands make it nearly impossible for the core to offer true innovation?
The core, more precisely, the method of making a core, was the theme of investigation. By examining these three seemingly unrelated topics: cities; data centers; towers- via the core, can we begin to develop new frameworks / systems, perhaps a new language that can address what will be the most critical issues we will have to address, and ideally re-center and legitimize the architect’s role in developing the built environment?
