buildings Article Technological Advances and Trends in Modern High-Rise Buildings Jerzy Szolomicki 1,* and Hanna Golasz-Szolomicka 2 1 Faculty of Civil Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland 2 Faculty of Architecture, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +48-505-995-008 Received: 29 July 2019; Accepted: 22 August 2019; Published: 26 August 2019 Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide structural and architectural technological solutions applied in the construction of high-rise buildings, and present the possibilities of technological evolution in this field. Tall buildings always have relied on technological innovations in engineering and scientific progress. New technological developments have been continuously taking place in the world. It is closely linked to the search for efficient construction materials that enable buildings to be constructed higher, faster and safer. This paper presents a survey of the main technological advancements on the example of selected tall buildings erected in the last decade, with an emphasis on geometrical form, the structural system, sophisticated damping systems, sustainability, etc. The famous architectural studios (e.g., for Skidmore, Owings and Merill, Nikhen Sekkei, RMJM, Atkins and WOHA) that specialize, among others, in the designing of skyscrapers have played a major role in the development of technological ideas and architectural forms for such extraordinary engineering structures. Among their completed projects, there are examples of high-rise buildings that set a precedent for future development. Keywords: high-rise buildings; development; geometrical forms; structural system; advanced materials; damping systems; sustainability 1.