Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity

In this paper we discuss the terms "exo-spatial design," "solar carving," and "bridging" as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology, high-rise residential buildings have a unique set of challenges to becoming fully activated urban participants in the cities in which they are located. While there is a general recognition and appreciation that tall buildings provide identity to a city, there is often criticism of how they relate to their surroundings. Critics have posited that tall buildings are insular and foreboding by their very nature. This paper explores several design avenues for architects to consider in order to improve the social aspect of tall buildings. As all cities become taller and denser to accommodate growth, the need to design social space in, on, and around tall buildings must be continually examined if we are to have cohesive urban fabric that supports communities.