Benchmarking Current Conceptual High-Rise Design Processes

This paper presents an analysis of current conceptual design processes for high-rise buildings. We synthesize a method to document and measure these processes and use it to analyze data from several case studies and a survey of leading architectural and engineering design firms. We describe current high-rise conceptual design process in terms of the following: design team size, composition, and time investment; clarity of goal definition; number and range of design options generated; number and type of model-based analyses performed; and the criteria used for decision making. We identify several potential weaknesses in current design processes including lack of clarity in goal definition and a low quantity of generated and analyzed options. We argue that potentially higher performing designs are being left unconsidered and discuss the potential reasons and costs.