“We use a holistic, integrated design approach that explores symbiotic relationships with the natural environment.” – Architect Adrian Smith

About

Adrian Smith, born in 1944, has a passion for tall structures and has studied architecture at Texas A&M and Chicago. He introduced the concept of contextualism, which considers a building’s relationship to its surrounding context and its culture. Smith has expanded his contextual principles to include wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, resulting in global environmental contextualism.

Adrian Smith has received numerous recognitions and awards for his high-performance, energy-efficient, and sustainable architecture. Adrian Smith, the designer of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and champion of sustainable design, received an honorary doctor of letters degree from Texas A&M. His projects have won over 110 major awards for design excellence.

10 Iconic Projects drawn from Adrian Smith extensive portfolio of international projects

Imperial Tower, India

Mumbai’s projected Imperial Tower, which would stand 400 meters tall and have 116 floors, would be the tallest structure. With “sky gardens” that face north and south, which break up wind currents and offer unique access to light and vistas, the building’s aerodynamic design aims to reduce the effects of wind. 195 to 1,115 square meters of opulent houses and 72 to 252 square meters of serviced apartments, all with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, will be available in the tower. In a city noted for its expansion and density, the environmentally friendly design has an external wall to deflect heat and collect rainwater for reuse.

Jeddah Tower, Saudi Arabia 

Jeddah Tower, formerly known as Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper development project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is anticipated to be the first 1 km (3,281 ft) tall building and, when finished, would be 180 m (591 ft) taller than the Burj Khalifa. It is the focal point of the Jeddah Economic City project and is situated on the north side of Jeddah. 

Adrian Smith was able to surpass himself by at least 173 meters in height. A mixed-use complex with the tallest observatory in the world; the building features a high-performance outer wall that lowers thermal load, and the series of notches cast shadows on the other section of the structure, converting it into terraces to take in the breathtaking view.

Dancing Dragons, Seoul, Korea 

A pair of iconic skyscrapers in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District called Dancing Dragons were designed in the style of traditional Korean architecture. Slender, angled mini-buildings cantilevered around a central core are a hallmark of the towers, which have residential, office, and retail components. With diagonal massing incisions and movable 600-mm vents that allow the skin to be “breathable” like that of some animals, the design aesthetic is modern while drawing inspiration from elements of traditional Korean culture. The top and bottom of the towers are covered in glass, and they provide luxurious penthouse duplex homes with breathtaking 360-degree views of downtown Seoul and the Han River.

Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai 

Al Wasl’s trellis structure is made completely of steel and is 13.6 km long, or the length of 16 Burj Khalifas piled on top of one another. It is 67 m in height and 130 m in diameter. A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age ring discovered in the UAE served as the inspiration for the steelwork that Italian builder Cimolai Rimond used in Expo 2020 Dubai’s ringed emblem.

Al Wasl Plaza, which has a 360-degree projection surface and can be used year-round despite being semi-outdoor, was constructed utilizing unusual materials. The dome is translucent, the projection is visible from both sides, and it is an excellent combination of idea and execution. Visitors are kept in a comfortable environment under the dome thanks to temperature control methods.

The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago, Illinois 

Chicago Shakespeare’s Yard is a 35,000-square-foot performance space that showcases a trend in theatrical construction with a reconfigurable theatre and transparent two-story foyer. Under the white tent, the venue builds a completely enclosed interior theatre chamber using the existing Skyline Stage. The adaptable space may be set up in a variety of forms and sizes, and it can accommodate anywhere between 150 and 850 people. Nine unique configurations are possible thanks to a mobile system of structural audience towers that produce a new kind of performance theatre.

The current theatre is connected to the two-story lobby and reception area, which provides breathtaking southern views of Lake Michigan. To ensure accuracy in the design and to record the process, the design team evaluated the Skyline Stage’s restrictions using cutting-edge laser scan technology. The Yard is integral to Navy Pier’s Centennial Vision, showcasing a vibrant cultural, environmental, educational, and recreational landscape.

Chicago Decarbonisation Plan, Chicago

The Chicago Central Area Decarbonization Plan is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. The plan focuses on using renewable energy to decarbonize the city and upgrade existing building stock and urban fabric, which consume more energy than required. This approach is crucial for maintaining the economic and cultural vitality of the urban core, ensuring population growth without negative environmental impacts. The plan proposes various methods for reducing carbon, including aggressive upgrades of existing building stock and urban fabric. It addresses social issues such as aging building stock, costly infrastructure, overcrowding, stormwater, and unshaded surfaces, aiming to advance Chicago’s global leadership position as a green city and a model of architectural and urban innovation.

Willis Tower Greening Project + Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

The highest structure in the Western Hemisphere, Willis Tower, has implemented numerous environmental initiatives. They improved building operations and energy efficiency by working with specialists and organizations. This involves working towards LEED-EB certification and implementing a recycling program that is implemented throughout the entire building. Low-flow fixtures are used in water conservation efforts to save millions of gallons each year.

High-efficiency lighting and retrofitting lighting systems are examples of energy-efficiency advancements. Bicycle parking spaces and incentives for hybrid vehicles lessen the environmental impact of commuting, and a “green” cleaning program improves indoor air quality. Innovative elements like a mock-up of the tallest “green roof” in the world and a significant greening effort show their dedication to sustainability while providing stunning views.

505 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 

The U.S. Green Building Council expects to award the 505 CST, a 38-story, 1.2 million-square-foot structure designed by Positive Energy Practise, a LEED Platinum rating. The structure aspires to achieve the Energy Use Intensity targets of the 2030 Challenge, an internationally acknowledged challenge for architecture practices to create more energy-efficient buildings and advance energy consumption towards using no fossil fuels by that year. The building’s revolutionary approach to energy efficiency is reflected in its distinctive torquing form, environmentally conscious site orientation, double-skin facade, solar shading, under-floor air distribution, sky gardens, and state-of-the-art building technologies. The southwest face’s double-skin façade lowers cooling loads by capturing solar heat in the summer and expelling it in the winter. 

Elphinstone Mills + Jupiter Mills, Mumbai, India

Mumbai’s Jupiter Mills and Elphinstone Mills are two mixed-use buildings that were both created to be LEED Platinum certified. Jupiter Mills has towers of 60 and 75 stories that have outdoor terraces to reduce solar heat gain and enhance comfort. Elphinstone Mills offers Class A office space as well as a podium with a pedestrian-friendly retail area, while Jupiter Mills offers residential residences with views on 50 stories. In addition to encouraging sustainable living and minimizing environmental effects, both towers seek to establish a new landmark in Mumbai’s skyline.

Wuhan Greenland Center, China

The Wuhan Greenland Centre is the third-tallest structure in China and the fourth-tallest structure in the entire globe. It was finished in 2017. The 120-level tower in Wuhan, China has a four-star hotel, a 27-meter-tall private club, offices, and opulent flats and condominiums. The project was initially intended to surpass the Shanghai Tower and Tokyo Skytree in height with a height of 636 meters.

However, due to airspace limitations, development was suspended, forcing a redesign that resulted in a building that is now 476 meters tall. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects and Thornton Tomasetti Engineers created the structure for Greenland Group, a construction company owned by the Shanghai municipal government. At now, the Wuhan Greenland Centre ranks as the fourteenth-tallest structure in the world.