Designing Tall Buildings - Structure As Architecture

This third edition of Designing Tall Buildings is an enhanced and accessible reference that guides the reader through the fundamental principles of designing high-rise buildings.
This new edition includes four new chapters, including initial concepts for tall building design, techniques for optimization, considerations for carbon, and the use of alternative materials such as timber. The third edition also includes 300 additional illustrations, and current code requirements and equations. Each chapter focuses on a theme central to tall-building design, giving a comprehensive overview of the related architectural and structural engineering concepts. Author Mark Sarkisian, PE, SE, NAE, LEED, provides clear definitions of technical terms and important equations, gradually developing the reader's knowledge. Projects drawn from SOM's vast portfolio of built high-rises, many of which Sarkisian engineered, demonstrate these concepts. The book considers the influence of particular site geology, wind conditions, and seismicity. With this contextual knowledge, the reader can develop structural systems best suited for a tower that are not only safe but constructible and economical. Sarkisian specifically addresses the influence of nature in design, urging the integration of structure and architecture for building of superior performance, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence.
This third edition is a must-have reference for students and designers.

List of contents

1. Perspective 2. Fundamentals 3. Site 4. Forces 5.Language 6. Attributes 7. Characteristics 8. Concepts 9. Systems 10. Nature 11. Mechanisms 12. Performance 13. Optimization 14. Carbon 15. Timber 16. Environment

About the author

Mark Sarkisian, PE, SE, NAE, LEED, is a structural engineering Partner, and leads the Firm-Wide structures practice of SOM. He has developed innovative structural engineering solutions for more than 100 international building projects, including some of the world's tallest. A world-renowned leader in the design of high-performance seismic and environmentally responsible structural systems, Sarkisian has patented numerous inventions. He teaches, publishes, and lectures frequently around the world.

Product details

• Authors: Mark Sarkisian, Mark (Skidmore Owings & Merrill Sarkisian
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 15.01.2026
• EAN: 9780367643850
• ISBN: 978-0-367-64385-0
• No. of pages: 454
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Architecture; ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / Residential, ARCHITECTURE / Design, Drafting, Drawing & Presentation, Architectural structure & design, ARCHITECTURE / Methods & Materials, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Civil / General, ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / Public, Commercial & Industrial, ARCHITECTURE / General, ARCHITECTURE / Sustainability & Green Design, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Structural, ARCHITECTURE / Reference, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Civil / Earthquake, Technical design, Civil engineering, surveying & building, Architectural structure and design, Civil engineering, surveying and building