ABSTRACT
Mechanical systems for ventilation and comfort have always been necessary for tall buildings. In some climates, low-rise buildings can rely on opening facades for ventilation and natural cooling. Historically this has not been the case for high-rise. More recently, designers have sought ways to provide high-rise buildings with breathable facades to lessen the impact of mechanical systems for ventilation. These buildings are still few in number because in most parts of the world climatic extremes of both wind and temperature make this alternative approach very difficult to achieve.
