For more than a century WSP has been helping to shape the skyline of cities throughout the world. In the UK, our teams have been involved in landmark high rise buildings such as The Shard and 22 Bishopsgate. We are leaders in the design of tall buildings, pioneering the trend to build higher and slimmer to optimise valuable real estate in our dense urban environments. We are proud to be working on many exciting high-rise buildings with the world’s top developers and renowned architects.
Our expertise makes it possible for architects to push the boundaries of their aesthetic visions and for our clients to realise their goals. Tall buildings engineered by our teams look good, perform well throughout their lifetime and make a positive contribution to our cities’ economies, society and the environment.
Engineering global high-rise landmarks
Our global portfolio includes globally recognised landmarks such as One World Trade Center in New York, The Shard, a new symbol of London, China’s tallest building Shanghai Tower, the world’s tallest twin towers Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
In the UK, our numerous projects include 22 Bishopsgate, One Blackfriars, 60-storey skyscraper Newfoundland and Principal Place Tower in London.
We offer world-class engineering skills, advanced technical back up and in-depth knowledge of the current design standards for any type of building, anywhere in the world. Our specialist expertise in high-rise is enhanced through innovative and common sense solutions.
Building higher, building slimmer
A new generation of landmark mega-towers and super-slender buildings is rising across the globe. Each project is bespoke and the challenges associated with great height, such as mitigating the effects of wind turbulence on very high structures, are considerable.
Our technical expertise and decades of experience are enabling towers to soar to heights of over 300 m. Through our innovative design approach and use of materials we ensure that the form and function of our mega-towers are perfectly adapted to the different needs of the people who use them.
Our designs for tall, slim towers help developers make the most of limited real estate in urban areas and capitalise on small and constricted sites to create highly desirable residences with magnificent views and high market values.
Creating the highest value
We add value to our projects by listening carefully to our clients to ensure we meet their commercial requirements and the needs of building occupants in addition to delivering buildings that are safe, sustainable and cost-effective.
“As buildings get higher and higher, with mixed-use, it’s like a jigsaw to fit everything within the core.” Vincent Tse, Managing Director, Building Systems, WSP in China
We have pioneered engineering techniques that have reduced build times, realised additional floors and maximised space in the most awkward of footplates. From the earliest design stages, we plan for the diverse uses of a building through its whole life cycle, focusing on efficiency and economy and the flexibility to adapt to future needs. We optimise the building structure to maximise the lettable area; and we optimise the building performance by including energy-efficient systems and advanced vertical transportation technologies to reduce operational costs.
Delivering technical excellence
“Engineering high-rise buildings is half art, half science – an artful application of science empowered by experience.” Ahmad Rahimian, Director of Building Structures, WSP in the US
Our centres of excellence in the design of tall buildings offer world-class design skills which we integrate with local detailed design delivery and relationship management. Our talented and experienced engineers are equipped with the most sophisticated design tools and constantly explore new ways to design and build using innovative materials and advanced methods of construction. Their expertise allows us to:
- Counteract the impact of wind on tall buildings through the innovative use of higher strength concrete and steel and the development of acceleration damping devices
- Ensure the stability of very tall buildings even in the most unstable of ground conditions such as earthquake zones
- Deliver robust buildings that protect against disproportionate collapse in the event of localised damage
- Deliver buildings that withstand the effects of extreme events
- Develop new construction techniques to streamline building construction and minimise costs.
Sustainability with a view
We’re committed to minimising the burden of our projects on the environment, while maximising the benefits they offer economically and to society.
We have a long heritage of specialist green building design, always at the forefront of the development of new, sustainable technologies to reduce the environmental impact of tall buildings. We consider the overall emissions and resource consumption over the whole lifespan of a building, and prioritise strategies such as using recycled or locally sourced materials, low carbon building services design and minimising waste.
Stimulating urban economies and revitalising city centres
Our tall building projects are catalysts for urban regeneration, stimulating growth by creating places where people enjoy living, leisure and shopping as well as working. They put people back in the heart of cities.
We pay close attention to how buildings interact with people and public spaces at street level, and contribute to the creation of attractive, comfortable streetscapes through the expertise of our urban development and transport planners and the use of advanced modelling technology.
