ABSTRACT
In the post-war period, building tall was used to provide new mass housing quickly and relatively inexpensively but, unfortunately, many tall residential blocks became symbols of social neglect and urban isolation. High-density housing, especially when delivered through tall buildings, offers a number of environmental benefits. When placed strategically and on infill sites, tall buildings enable more people to live closer to town, reducing sprawl and reducing the need of development to encroach on open land. Tall buildings have an identity and visual impact that reverberate out into the wider cityscape, something that is especially obvious in areas with relatively few of them. When designing larger developments with multiple towers, the placement and massing of each building should be carefully considered to avoid an imposing presence. On the ground floor, transparency and permeability were key design drivers, opening up the site and visually connecting the buildings, as well as allowing a mix of residential and commercial uses.
