In our May 2021 issue, Architectural Record questions what defines a tall building by examining projects such as a 36-story residential building in St. Louis with a fan-like facade as well as a 1,148-foot-tall office tower in Shenzhen, China, and its muscular bracing system. But, despite the range, all the buildings share an interest in inventive form, ingenuity in structure, and engagement of context. Reading about them and taking the online quiz earns one hour of continuing-education credit. Plus don’t miss the lighting section, MASS Design Group’s new university campus in Rwanda, and an integrated landscape in Calgary, Alberta, all in this month’s issue.
Check back throughout the month for additional content!
These tall building projects share an interest in inventive form, ingenuity in structure, and engagement of context. Read the six articles in this section and take a quiz to earn one AIA learning unit.
Skyscrapers are tied to the fortunes of cities. So it may seem a strange moment to celebrate tall buildings, when people are questioning—in the U.S., at least—the future of the metropolis.
The curators of this year's U.S. Pavilion explore what wood frame construction says about America’s history and our attitudes toward labor and the built environment.