In the heart of Warsaw, Poland, Anna Piętocha, a researcher at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, is tackling a pressing question: How can the world’s tallest buildings become more sustainable? Her recent study, published in the journal *Energies* (which translates to “Energies” in English), delves into the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable design and energy efficiency in supertall and megatall buildings.
Piętocha’s research is timely, as rapid urbanization and rising energy consumption push the construction sector to innovate. “We’re seeing a surge in ultratall buildings,” Piętocha explains. “But these structures are complex and currently serve primarily as symbols and testing grounds for technological innovation.” Her study aims to change that, providing a roadmap for sustainable design in these architectural giants.
The study systematically assessed the sustainable strategies of the world’s twenty tallest buildings using a four-category model: passive design, active mechanical systems, renewable energy integration, and materials, water, and circularity strategies. The results were eye-opening. Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur topped the list with a score of 46.7%, followed by One World Trade Center in New York (43.3%) and Shanghai Tower in China (41.7%).
Category B, which focuses on active mechanical systems, dominated all buildings. However, categories A (passive design) and D (materials, water, and circularity strategies) demonstrated moderate implementation, while category C (renewable energy integration) lagged due to economic and technical constraints at extreme heights.
Piętocha’s research also highlighted the significance of LEED certification. Buildings with LEED Platinum certification demonstrated significantly higher levels of technology integration than Gold or non-certified buildings. “LEED Platinum-certified buildings are setting the bar,” Piętocha notes. “They’re integrating advanced technologies and sustainable strategies more effectively.”
The study’s findings have significant implications for the energy sector. As buildings become taller and more complex, the need for sustainable design and energy efficiency becomes paramount. Piętocha’s research underscores the importance of integrating passive design strategies early in the design process, improving renewable energy solutions, and long-term operational monitoring supported by digital tools like IoT and digital twins.
The commercial impacts are substantial. Buildings account for a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By improving the sustainability of supertall and megatall buildings, the construction and energy sectors can make a significant dent in these figures. Moreover, the push for sustainability is not just an environmental imperative but also a market demand. Tenants and investors increasingly prefer buildings with strong sustainability credentials.
Piętocha’s research is a call to action for the construction and energy sectors. It provides a clear roadmap for improving the sustainability of ultratall buildings, with practical strategies and insights. As the world continues to urbanize and energy consumption rises, this research could not be more relevant. It’s a step towards a more sustainable future, one skyscraper at a time.