Tall Buildings 2026
For May, RECORD’s focus on tall buildings returns for a seven-project survey showcasing the best in vertical architecture. The buildings featured in this section span the globe, including a twisting, mixed-use high-rise in Dubai that demonstrates restraint in a city populated by spectacle-making supertalls; a pair of innovative office towers in China, one in Shenzhen and the other in Guangzhou; and a 16-story educational campus that signals a shift toward a denser urban fabric in the Colombian capital of Bogotá. In North America, we visit a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper whose completion coincides with the 50th anniversary of the firm that designed it, considered a leader in the typology; a lofty new addition to Boston’s Seaport District; and a pair of faceted Toronto towers, home to a major bank’s new headquarters, that straddle a busy rail corridor.
Continuing Education
To earn one AIA learning unit (LU), including one hour of health, safety, and welfare (HSW) credit, read the articles above and complete the quiz. Upon passing the quiz, you will receive a certificate of completion, and your credit will be automatically reported to the AIA. Additional information regarding credit-reporting and continuing-education requirements can be found at continuingeducation.bnpmedia.com.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss strategies for reducing wind loads on the superstructures of tall buildings and on their individual components.
- Outline approaches for designing seismically resilient tall buildings.
- Describe how tall buildings can be designed to respond to their climates, including strategies for reducing solar loads and for incorporating natural ventilation.
- Discuss how tall buildings can foster community and collaboration among occupants and how they can contribute to the broader urban realm.
AIA/CES Course #K2605A
Looking for quick answers on architecture and design topics?
Try Ask RECORD, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask RECORD →
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
