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ORGANIC Skyscraper LONDON

2014

TABLE OF CONTENT

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Introduction Pages 3 - 5Background Pages 6 - 7Site Pages 8- 9Program Pages 10 - 11Competition Pages 12- 15Documentation Pages 16 - 19Assessment Pages 20 - 21Glossary Page 22

INTRODUCTION

Summary: Competitors are requested to submit only concept designs.

The competition is seeking to expolore and investigate the possibility of an inspirational design topology for a high quality Organic Skyscraper concept to be used as a Tech City for innovative technology and digital focused companies. The skyscraper concept should present a possible design solution for achieving a skycrapers that can grow vertically and horizontally to accomodate additionally floors to address a need for expansion or increased density.

This objective can be best achieved through a development which:· Provides a visual focal point, reinforcing and enhancing the urban vertically growing high rise structure design possibility for the area.· Respects the context of the site and is of high quality design.· Contributes to the sense of place and community at the chosen location.· Reflects the natural topography of the site and takes advantage of this to provide interesting forms and vertical integration and circulation.· Encourage uses, which have a direct relationship with idea of Vertical development.· Is imaginative, innovative, of high quality and enhances the visual character of the area whilst respecting and adding to the skyline view. · Maximises the new development potential with attention to sustainability and ecology.

Design RequirementsThe concept for the contemporary Organic Skyscraper design must have technology and digital industries at its core with the program divided into the following zones:· Technology Zone (IT and Telecommunications etc)· Media Zone (Pr, Social Media, Motivation, Events)· Design Zone (Graphic and Product Design)· Educational Zone (Auditorium, Lectures, Seminars, Workshop and launch Events and Exhibition Halls)· Financial Zone (Investors, Insurance, Funding, Banking)· Legal Zone (Law, Contracts, Copyright, Trademarks)· Recreational and Social Zone (Bar, Restuarent, Cafe and Games)· Medical, Health and Fitness Zone

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What is a Skyscraper?A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many storeys, usually designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper. The term “sky-scraper” was first applied to buildings of steel framed construction of at least 10 storeys in the late 19th century.There is no clear definition of any difference between a tower block and a skyscraper though a building lower than about thirty storeys is not likely to be a skyscraper and a building with fifty or more storeys is certainly a skyscraper.

Many exceptionally tall skyscrapers have been built, not out of necessity, but to help define the city’s identity and presence or power as a city. Also lacking an official definition, the term ‘supertall’ has arisen for the current genera-tion of exceptionally tall building, however, we use the term ‘Superskyscraper’. One common feature of skyscrapers is having a steel framework from which curtain walls are suspended, rather than load-bearing walls of conventional construction.

Today, skyscrapers are an increasingly common sight where land is expensive, as in the centres of big cities, because they provide such a high ratio of rentable floor space per unit area of land. They are built not just for economy of space; like temples and palaces of the past, skyscrapers are considered symbols of a city’s economic power and not only do they help define the skyline, they help to define the city’s identity.

The Emporis Standards Committee defines a high-rise building as “a multi-storey structure between 35–100 meters tall, or a building of unknown height from 12–39 floors” and a skyscraper as “a multi-storey building whose architec-tural height is at least 100 m or 330 ft.” However, a loose convention of some in the United States and Europe draws the lower limit of a skyscraper at 150 m or 490 ft.

For all our competitions, we shall assume the minimum limit of 100 m or 330 ft. for skyscraper and 300 m or 984 ft. for superskyscrapers, however we are more interested in the idea and concept behind designs presented to us.

Economic RationaleSkyscrapers are usually situated in the centre of cities where the price of land is high. Constructing a skyscraper be-comes justified if the price of land is so high that it makes economic sense to build upwards as to minimize the cost of the land per the total floor area of a building.

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Thus the construction of skyscrapers is dictated by economics and results in skyscrapers in a certain part of a large city unless a building code or regulation restricts the height of buildings. Skyscrapers are rarely seen in small cities and they are characteristic of large cities, because of the critical importance of high land prices for the construction of skyscrapers usually only for office, commercial and hotel users

Environmental ImpactThe environmental impact of skyscrapers and whether instead of skyscrapers multiple smaller, lighter buildings would be more environmentally friendly or sustainable is under debate. The concept of a skyscraper is a product of the industrialized age, made possible by cheap fossil fuel derived energy and industrially refined raw materials such as steel and concrete. The construction of skyscrapers was enabled by steel frame construction that surpassed brick and mortar construction starting at the end of the 19th century and finally surpassing it in the 20th century togeth-er with reinforced concrete construction as the price of steel decreased and labour costs increased. The amount of steel, concrete and glass needed to construct a single skyscraper is large, and these materials represent a great deal of embodied energy.

Skyscrapers are thus energy intensive buildings, but skyscrapers have a long lifespan, for example the Empire State Building in New York City, United States was completed in 1931 and is still in active use.

Skyscrapers have considerable mass, which means that they must be built on a sturdier foundation than would be required for shorter, lighter buildings. Building materials must also be lifted to the top of a skyscraper during con-struction, requiring more energy than would be necessary at lower heights.

Furthermore, a skyscraper consumes a lot of electricity because potable and non-potable water have to be pumped to the highest occupied floors, skyscrapers are usually designed to be mechanically ventilated, elevators are gener-ally used instead of stairs, and natural lighting cannot be utilized in rooms far from the windows and the windowless spaces such as elevators, bathrooms and stairwells.

Skyscrapers can be artificially lighted and the energy requirements can be covered by renewable energy or other electricity generation of low greenhouse gas emissions. Heating and cooling of skyscrapers can be efficient, because of centralized HVAC systems, heat radiation blocking windows and small surface area of the building.

30 St Mary Axe in London is an example of a modern environmentally friendly skyscraper.

CITY BACKGROUND

London, England, United Kingdom

IntroductionLondon is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It is the largest metropolitan area in the United King-dom and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures and is located on the River Thames. It is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport, all contributing to its prominence.

London has been described as a world cultural capital. It has the most international visitors of any city in the world and London Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport by the number of international passengers. London has a di-verse range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries.

It contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of West-minster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Roy-al Observatory marks the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and GMT). Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium.

London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library, Wimbledon and 40 major theatres. The Lon-don Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world and the second-most extensive after the Shanghai Metro.

Topography & GeographyLondon stands on the Thames, its primary geographical feature, a navigable river, which crosses the city from southwest to the east. The Thames Valley is a floodplain surrounded by gently rolling hills including Parliament Hill, Addington Hills, and Primrose Hill.

The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive marshlands; at high tide, its shores reached five times their present width. London is elevated approximately 24 m (79 ft) above sea level.

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ClimateLondon has a temperate oceanic climate, similar to much of southern Britain. Summers are generally warm and sometimes hot with an average temperature of 24 °C (75.2 °F), the heat being boosted by the Urban heat island effect making the centre of London at times 5°C (9°F) warmer than the suburbs and outskirts. Spring is a mixed sea-sons and can be pleasant. Temperatures in London in warmer months range from 8°C - 18°C (46°F - 64°F) in spring.

ArchitectureLondon’s buildings are too diverse to be characterised by any particular architectural style, partly due to their varying ages. Many grand houses and public buildings, such as the National Gallery, are constructed from Portland stone. Some areas of the city, particularly those just west of the centre, are characterised by white stucco or white-washed buildings.

There are few structures in Central London that pre-date the Great Fire of 1666, these being a few trace Roman remains, the Tower of London and scattered Tudor survivors in the City. The Tudor period Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts is an example of this style. Late 17th century churches and the financial institutions of the 18th and 19th centuries such as the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England, to the early 20th century Old Bailey and the 1960s Barbican Estate form part of the varied architectural heritage.

In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium and high-rise buildings. Older buildings are mainly brick built, most commonly the yellow London stock brick or warm orange-red variety, often decorated with carvings and white plaster mouldings. London’s skyscrapers such as 30 St Mary Axe, Tower 42, the Broadgate Tower and One Canada Square are usually found in the two financial districts, the City of London and Canary Wharf. Nevertheless, there are plans for more skyscrapers in central London including the 72-storey Shard London Bridge which is currently under construction. Other notable modern structures include City Hall with its distinctive oval shape, the British Library in Somers Town/Kings Cross and What was formerly the Millennium Dome now The O2 Arena, located by the Thames to the east of Canary Wharf.

Coordinates: 51°30′26″N 0°7′39″WTotal Area: 1,570 km2 (607 sq miles)Population: 13,945,000

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SiteThe site, which is the subject of this Competition is the area bordered by A10 Shoreditch High Street, Fairchild Street and Holywell Lane (See Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively).

Total Plot Size: 3,510 m² (square meters) approximately

Site Context and AnalysisThis is an important site, by virtue of it being loacted:· Off A10 / Shoreditch High Street; · Within Shoreditch central;· Within London’s new Technology Hub and within reach of city of London area;· A development that would be visible both in medium and long views of other landmarks and vertical view;

THE SITE

Figure 1

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Figure 2

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THE PROGRAM

ProgramThe program challenges participants to design a NEW Tech City Organic Skyscraper that takes into account the need for a topology that approaches Skyscraper developments from a different point of ‘grow when required’.

The design should be visually and aesthetically engaging in contributing to the wider investigation into possible vision for an incremental approach to tall construction and use. It should also maximise the positive impact of such a vertical structure whist minimising the negative. It should respond directly to the issue of sustainable space creation and also address the social, environmental, cultural and economic issues together with concerns of ever-increasing construction of under utilised Skyscrapers.

What is an Organic Skyscraper?An Organic Skyscraper for this competition refers to a type of high-rise construction or design that allow for vertical growth or change in height as the need for more space becomes neccessary after the initial completion similar to the extension of low constructions.

What is a Tech City?A Tech City is a recognised high or dense concentration of commercial community of innovative technology and digital focused companies.

The proposal should incorporate at least the following zones as participants are free to decide on the ratio, size and space combination within the program: · 60% Technology Zone (IT and Telecommunications etc)· 10% Media Zone (Pr, Social Media, Motivation, Events)· 5% Design Zone (Graphic and Product Design)· 5% Educational Zone (Auditorium, Lectures, seminars, workshop and launch Events and Exhibition Halls)· 5% Financial Zone (Investors, Insurance, Funding, Banking)· 5% Legal Zone (Law, Contracts, Copyright, Trademarks)· 5% Recreational and Social Zone (Bar, Restuarent, Cafe and Games)· 5% Medical, Health and Fitness Zone· Design to also consider parking (Vehicle, Motor Cycles, Bicycle etc), Circulation Management, Access and Safety.

Total Plot Size: 3,510 m² (square meters) approximatelyTotal Design Area: Open to participants

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Design ConsiderationIt is our intention as organisers not to apply too many design constraints on participants ideas for the Tech City Organic Skyscraper as we wish to encourage designs that test the boundaries and create something worthy of an contemporary urban innovative skyscraper. The design should offer an efficient alternative to the current trend of skyscrapers battle development.

The competition presents a challenging opportunity to utilise location of the site and set parameters to present a concept that takes into account both economics and most importantly environmental impact.

Highlighted below are some points that the jury will pay attention to in regards to in judging.

· Design and Adaption How the design proposes a new aethetics and lends itself to future adaption or re-engineering.

· Movement and Activity How the proposals will fulfil a Tech City Organic Skyscraper environmental impact.

· Location Opportunity for a new landmark at the location with a new visual presence.

· Key views and Skyline One of the features of this area of London is the regeneration and world recognised area for trend setting in the field of art, fashion, design, architecture and the changing Skyline. The Skyscraper should integrate and add to the texture of the overall area, but also mark out the area from wider skyline views.

· Safety One of the features of the area is the A10 / Shoreditch High Street motor ways that border the site. Access and use of the site should minimise possible safety hazard etc.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: There are no special conditions.

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THE COMPETITION

Competition StructureThis is a single-stage open international ideas architecture competition run by SuperSkyScrapers to seek Skyscraper design solutions and concepts that best satisfy the set of requirements as outlined in this brief for a Tech City Organic Skyscraper development. Winners of the competition will be awarded cash prizes as detailed in the awards section of this brief document.

Competition ObjectiveThe objective of this competition is to create an investigation into the design and construction ideas for high-rise or very tall architecture and also the dynamic communities within and around them with attention to aesthetics, mate-rial, technology, flexibility, adaptability and sustainability.

The competition aims to seek out the strongest design concepts and proposal that best satisfy the requirements as set out in this brief.

The competition with its rather loose program hopes to encourage design proposal that exhibit a high degree of creative flare and is of high quality design resulting in:· Designs ideas that explore new techniques and challenge the profession.· Encourage architectural experimentation, including form, function and materials in design proposal.· Encourage the respect of the context and natural topography of a site.· Provide a visual focal and reference point · Encourage an amount of artistry as an integral part of the architectural process and experience.· Encourage designs and architecture that embraces the awareness and engagement with the general public.· Encourage and reward design excellence high-rise architecture that integrates function, structure, detail, community and the spirit of the environment around it.· Encourage designs that propose the value and appropriateness of contemporary high-rise architecture. · Research, respond and highlight the unique aspects of innovative design in high-rise architecture and communities.· Encourage the employment of sustainable design in as many aspects of high-rise design and construction.· To be able to work on such large scale projects with equal imagination and commitment.

Note:These competitions are only design ideas with no intention of it being physically constructed and in no way spon-sored or linked to the any development schemes.

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PARTICIPATION

Eligibility:Architects, architecture graduates, architecture students, team of architects or inter-disciplinary teams (engineers, designers, urbanist, landscape architects in-conjunction with an architect, where possible).

Ineligibility:· Employees, consultants, agents of SuperSkyScrapers or associated awards.· Employees, partners, friends, family, personnel, office practice or studios associated with any of the Jury.· Persons who have taken part in the organisation of the Competition or the writing of the architectural brief· Persons involved in the establishment or in the preparation of the program (including any feasibility for the Compe-tition site or topic).

Participants may submit more than one project, but must register each entry, which means one registration per project.

Registration and participation in the competition implies an immediate acceptance by entrants of all terms & condi-tions governing the site and competition.

Submissions can be the work of an individual or a group up to 4 members (architects, architecture graduates, archi-tecture students, engineers, designers, urbanist, landscape architects)

Fees:Participants will be expected to pay a registration fee as detailed in the registration form or Competition summary section of the website.

Method of Payment:Entrants may register by filling the online registration form and submitting it with the relevant payment by Debit/Credit card or Paypal Account through a secure gateway.

Note:Fees are not refundable under any circumstance as stated in the terms and conditions.All deadlines are 23:59 hours (GMT)

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Competition Time TableCompetition Announcement - 22nd August 2013Special Registration Begins - 06th February 2014Early Registration Begins - 21st February 2014Standard Registration Begins - 18th March 2014Late Registration Begins - 30th May 2014Deadline for submitting questions - 30th May 2014Submission Closes - 10th June 2014Jury Deliberation - 11th June – 25th June 2014Winners Announcement - 26th June 2014

Prizes, Awards and BenefitsWinning project entry will receive prizes totaling US$ 5,000.00 as follows: 1st Prize - US$ 3,000 (THREE THOUSAND US DOLLARS) - Publication in SuperSkyScrapers - Volume 1 Book- Published on the SuperSkyScrapers website and social media platform- Published on various online magazine, blogs and media platform2nd Prize - US$ 1,200 (ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED US DOLLARS)- Publication in SuperSkyScrapers - Volume 1 Book- Published on the SuperSkyScrapers website and social media platform- Published on various online magazine, blogs and media platform3rd Prize - US$ 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED US DOLLARS)- Publication in SuperSkyScrapers - Volume 1 Book- Published on the SuperSkyScrapers website and social media platform- Published on various online magazine, blogs and media platform

10 Special Mentions (Subject to Jury Discretion) will also be published on our website, social media and book.

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DOCUMENTATION

Project DocumentationBy the date specified in the Timetable, the Organiser will provide to all registered competitors with the following materials for download:o A printable Competition Brief document containing: a. The Competition Topic; b. General Context; c. Site Environment - where applicable; d. Prize and Award Information; e. Technical requirements; i.Rules of the Competition; ii.Competition Timetable;o Photographs of the city, site or location – where applicable;o Satellite view of the site, if available and applicable;o Map of the local area (3D) – if available and applicable;o CAD File

Note: Downloadable Pack for the competition contains: Site Use Map, Site Photos, Site CAD, Street Map and Aerial Map which is dowlownloadable with the brief.

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Design SubmissionCompetitors should present their concept design proposals on a single (single sided) landscape boards with the de-tails listed below and must be submitted via the upload facility on the SuperSkyScrapers website: Image Format: A single un-compressed JPG or JNG extension fileo Dimensions: 4608 width x 2304 height (pixels) or 48 x 24 inches to 96dpi.o File Name: The image file name must correspond to your unique registration number (Example: 10000000005.jpg where 1000000005 represent the unique registration number assigned to you by SuperSkyScrapers on successful registration for a competition. o Max. File Size: 8MB (8 Megabytes)

The presentation technique is open and at the discretion of the competitor and the image submitted should detail the main concept of the design with the following information: o Main Design Concepto Planso Sections o Perspectiveso Any descriptive text

All drawings and documents to be submitted by competitors should be made in English and all measurements expressed using the metric system.

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Entrant’s Unique Registration Number should appear on the upper right side of the image as illustrated below:

The presentation should clearly document the following where relevant:· Proposed design· Total area· Approach to the project · Layout· Materials (MAIN)· Site and Treatment of the site

Winning entries will be required to provide text or written textual desciption of up to 700 words (or 1/2 A4) to explain the approach taken to the design challenge and to outline the team and skills (where relevant) and to select and provide two key images as JPEGs at 300dpi that they consider best illustrates their pro-posal for distribution and publicity purposes. In addition, competitors may provide brief details projects undertaken previously.

Note: Models, video or other file formats will not be accepted.

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Submission MethodSubmission is to be made through the SuperSkyScrapers website using upload facility provided through individual registered user account area by clicking the ‘Submissions tab’. Then within the registered competition listing, select the competition you wish to submit a design proposal for and finally click ‘Submit’ to upload the proposal file.

Note: Email submissions will not be accepted under normal circumstances.

ASSESSMENT

Assesment CriteriaA selected jury panel will review the submitted entries based on the competition objectives and from the short-listed entries select the competition winners with SuperSkyScrapers consultants overseeing each stage of the deliberation process.

The Jury’s decision will be final and binding as stated in the competitions terms and conditions.

Entries will be evaluated based on the following main criteria and guidelines: o Overall architectural vision and design’s aesthetics for a Tech City Organic Skyscraper o The relationship of the design to the built or natural environment around it: · How the architecture design relate to the physical location chosen. · How the design is placed on the physical site.o Innovative design: · How the design organises space · Thoughtful use of materials: - Choice of materials e.g sustainable material - How the materials enhances the designo Adherence to the Competition specifications.o Quality and clarity of the model Execution and Presentation: Well-built models that visually represent your design ideas will catch the eye of the judges.o Adaptation of existing designs, fusion and mixing of materials into existing contexts (where applicable)

Note:Designs that surprise, inspire and enthuse through an outstanding concept design solution and clearly has a sense of place, is unique, functional and accessible will be of the most interest to the jury. Practical ideas are welcome. However, The judges will want to see great examples of contextual architecture and forward-looking design.

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GLOSSARY

ResourceFurther information relating to the competition, world skyscrapers and the Site please visit the following link below:o Google maps: http://maps.google.como SuperSkyScrapers website: www.superskyscrapers.com

Communication and Technical EnquiryThe rules of this Competition are set and enforced by SuperSkyScrapers. This includes the management and fairness in relation to the overall competition objectives. All contacts relating to the Competition or rules should be sent to SuperSkyScrapers using the contact form, which can be found at http://www.superskyscrapers.com/contact

Question and QueriesAll queries regarding the registration, process, fees or payment can also be made using the contact form, which can be found at http://www.superskyscrapers.com/contact.

Alternatively you can go to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the SuperSkyScrapers website which can be found at http://www.superskyscrapers.com/FAQ to find answers to your questions or use the forum platform within the website for peer-to-peer questions or find answers to questions. The SuperSkyScrapers Forum can be found at http://www.superskyscrapers.com/forum

Terms and ConditionsThe terms and conditions governing this Competition can be found in the terms and conditions section at: http://www.SuperSkyScrapers.com/terms

CopyrightThe ownership of copyright in the work of all competitors will be in accordance with the Copyright & Patent Act 1988.

Public display and exhibition of entriesEntry material may be put on public display and/or online, and may be used by the promoters to publicise the com-petition and its results.

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