Project of a high-rise building, including a residential and commercial function on plot 52 located at 510 Guadalupe Street in A

Poznań University of Technology (Politechnika Poznańska), Faculty of Architecture, Poznań

Project idea

The Austin skyscraper project is envisioned as a groundbreaking architectural and urban development that merges advanced design with ecological and social responsibility. Its primary objective is to create a multifunctional high-rise that integrates residential, office, and commercial spaces while responding to the dynamic needs of the city’s urban landscape. Designed to be more than just a standalone structure, the project seeks to become an integral part of Austin’s city fabric, reinforcing its identity as a forward-thinking and sustainable metropolis.

Strategically located on the site of the former post office in downtown Austin, on Block 52, the skyscraper benefits from its proximity to major cultural and social hubs such as 6th Street and Republic Square. This location offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the city’s urban connectivity, transforming the building into an interactive space that enhances its surroundings rather than existing in isolation. The project is designed to harmonize with Austin’s cultural and architectural context while introducing a modern and dynamic landmark that defines the city's evolving skyline.

Sustainability is a core principle of the design, with an emphasis on integrating green technologies and environmentally responsible solutions. Vertical gardens and elevated terraces will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure but also contribute to urban biodiversity and air quality. Energy-efficient materials and smart building systems will reduce environmental impact while ensuring long-term resilience. The building is conceived as a sustainable ecosystem, where nature and architecture work together to create a healthier, more livable environment.

At its core, the skyscraper is designed to prioritize human experience, offering flexible spaces that support a seamless balance between living, working, and leisure. Public spaces, such as elevated gardens and communal areas, will foster social interaction and encourage a sense of community among residents, workers, and visitors. The building will not only provide functional spaces but will also serve as a hub for engagement, relaxation, and cultural exchange.

The project draws inspiration from architectural pioneers such as Mies van der Rohe, whose principles of harmony between structure and form influence the building’s design, as well as Norman Foster, whose concept of structure as decoration is reflected in the skyscraper’s aesthetic and functional integration. Additionally, artistic references play a significant role in shaping the building’s identity. The linear compositions of León Ferrari’s sculptures inspired the façade’s structural rhythm, while the surreal architectural landscapes of Zdzisław Beksiński influenced the spatial and lighting design, adding an emotional and symbolic depth to the project. The integration of art and architecture creates a visual and conceptual dialogue that elevates the building beyond mere functionality.

Structurally, the skyscraper is designed with efficiency and adaptability in mind. A high-performance central core will provide stability while housing essential infrastructure, including energy-efficient elevators and circulation systems that optimize movement within the building. Modular and adaptive construction techniques will allow for flexibility in space usage, ensuring that the skyscraper can evolve with the changing needs of its occupants over time.

This project is not merely about constructing a high-rise; it is about redefining urban living through a combination of sustainability, functionality, and community engagement. By merging advanced architectural solutions with a commitment to ecological and social well-being, the skyscraper aspires to become a symbol of Austin’s future—an innovative and responsible approach to high-density urban development that respects both the environment and the people who inhabit it.

Project description

### **Scope of the Project Solution**

The Austin skyscraper project presents a comprehensive architectural solution that integrates urban planning, sustainability, and human-centered design into a single, multifunctional development. The scope of the project extends beyond simply constructing a high-rise; it encompasses a holistic approach to urban integration, environmental responsibility, and technological innovation. By addressing the needs of both the city and its inhabitants, the project aims to redefine the way high-density developments interact with their surroundings while maintaining a balance between functionality and aesthetics.

At its core, the project solution revolves around the seamless integration of residential, office, and commercial functions within a single vertical structure. This mixed-use approach ensures that the building serves a diverse range of users, fostering a dynamic and self-sustaining ecosystem. The design prioritizes adaptability, allowing for flexible spatial configurations that can evolve in response to the changing needs of the community. From premium office spaces to vibrant residential units and carefully curated retail areas, the skyscraper offers a solution that maximizes efficiency while maintaining a high standard of comfort and design.

A key component of the project’s scope is its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The building incorporates state-of-the-art green technologies, including vertical gardens, rooftop terraces, and energy-efficient systems that significantly reduce its ecological footprint. Smart infrastructure and advanced materials ensure the building’s long-term resilience, promoting energy conservation and minimizing waste. The strategic placement of greenery throughout the structure not only enhances visual appeal but also contributes to improved air quality, thermal regulation, and overall well-being.

Another defining aspect of the project is its role in reinforcing Austin’s urban identity and connectivity. Situated on the former post office site at Block 52, the skyscraper is designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding urban fabric, enhancing walkability and accessibility. Its proximity to cultural landmarks such as 6th Street and Republic Square strengthens the city’s social and economic landscape by attracting a diverse mix of residents, businesses, and visitors. Additionally, the incorporation of public spaces, including an elevated garden and open communal areas, ensures that the project contributes to Austin’s livability and social interaction rather than existing as an isolated structure.

Architectural inspiration plays a crucial role in shaping the project’s vision. Influences from Mies van der Rohe, Thomas Heatherwick, and Norman Foster guide the design philosophy, ensuring a balance between structural efficiency and aesthetic expression. The artistic references, including León Ferrari’s sculptural compositions and Zdzisław Beksiński’s surreal landscapes, further inform the façade and spatial experience, creating a building that is not only functional but also a statement of cultural and artistic relevance.

The structural and technological solutions embedded in the project emphasize durability, adaptability, and efficiency. A high-performance central core provides structural stability while housing key infrastructure elements such as vertical circulation systems, mechanical services, and safety features. This ensures seamless vertical mobility within the skyscraper while optimizing space utilization. Modular construction techniques and advanced engineering solutions allow for a high degree of customization, enabling the building to adapt to evolving urban and environmental conditions over time.

Ultimately, the scope of this project is to create an architectural solution that is forward-thinking, environmentally conscious, and deeply rooted in the cultural and urban context of Austin. By merging sustainability, functionality, and artistic expression, the skyscraper sets a new standard for high-rise developments, demonstrating how architecture can positively influence both the built environment and the communities it serves. The project aspires to be more than a landmark; it aims to be a catalyst for future urban transformation, offering a model for cities seeking to balance growth with sustainability and social well-being.

Technical information

The Austin skyscraper project incorporates cutting-edge technological and material solutions that ensure structural integrity, energy efficiency, and seamless integration with the urban environment. Designed with a combination of aesthetic appeal and functional performance, the building's technical elements contribute to its sustainability, durability, and architectural innovation.

Facade System – The “Skin” of the Building

The skyscraper features a high-performance glass facade strategically positioned between the structural columns, serving both architectural and functional roles. Acting as the building’s outer "skin," the glass facade not only defines the exterior appearance but also enhances environmental regulation, providing protection against external conditions while optimizing energy efficiency.

The facade maximizes natural light penetration, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during the day and minimizing overall energy consumption. It is composed of reflective glass that mitigates excessive heat gain by deflecting solar radiation, particularly beneficial in the context of rising summer temperatures. Additionally, this reflective property enhances occupant privacy while maintaining panoramic views of the city skyline.

Beyond its functional advantages, the facade plays a key role in urban integration. Its mirrored surface reflects the surrounding cityscape, allowing the skyscraper to blend harmoniously with the environment rather than dominate it. This dynamic interaction with its surroundings reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainable urban development, making the building an organic part of the city's evolving skyline. Furthermore, the glass facade contributes to the skyscraper’s ecological balance by reducing energy consumption, lowering maintenance costs, and decreasing carbon emissions. As a passive climatic barrier, it stabilizes indoor temperatures and minimizes the need for artificial heating and cooling.

Structural Framework – The “Bones” of the Building

The structural system of the skyscraper is based on composite columns, which provide both aesthetic and engineering advantages. These load-bearing columns are a hybrid of steel and concrete, combining the tensile strength of steel with the compressive resistance of concrete. The columns are designed to gradually decrease in size every 20 floors, reducing from an initial dimension of 100 cm x 100 cm to 70 cm x 70 cm towards the upper levels. This progressive adaptation optimizes material efficiency while maintaining structural strength.

The spacing of the columns is standardized at 5.4 meters by 5.4 meters on most floors, ensuring an optimal balance between structural performance and spatial functionality. However, for the parking levels, a wider column spacing of 10.8 meters by 10.8 meters is required to accommodate vehicle circulation. To support these increased spans, reinforced concrete columns with dimensions of 120 cm x 120 cm are used, each topped with a structural head measuring 2.5 meters by 2.5 meters to effectively distribute loads across a larger surface area.

Inspired by the architectural principles of Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building, the exposed structural columns contribute to the building’s minimalist aesthetic. Beyond their fundamental load-bearing function, these columns serve as an expressive architectural feature, reinforcing the verticality and modern character of the skyscraper while establishing a strong visual identity.

Floor Slabs – Reinforced Concrete System

The skyscraper utilizes reinforced concrete floor slabs with a thickness of 30 cm, carefully engineered to provide superior load-bearing capacity and acoustic insulation. These slabs effectively balance static and dynamic loads, ensuring structural durability under both permanent and variable weight conditions. The mass of the concrete also contributes to soundproofing, a critical factor in a high-rise mixed-use building. The slab system provides an efficient, safe, and high-performing floor structure that supports the diverse functions of the skyscraper.

Foundation System – Stability and Adaptability

The foundation of the skyscraper is a reinforced concrete mat foundation, specifically chosen to accommodate the significant loads imposed by the tower’s height and its ten levels of underground parking. The mat foundation ensures an even distribution of loads across the ground, optimizing stability in varying geological conditions. This solution enhances the building’s resilience against settlement and structural shifts.

Additionally, the foundation is reinforced by diaphragm walls constructed using the "cut-and-cover" technique. These reinforced concrete walls serve as both structural supports and waterproofing barriers, protecting the underground levels from groundwater infiltration. By enhancing the overall rigidity of the foundation system, the diaphragm walls help prevent differential settlement and potential displacement over time.

One of the key considerations in the foundation design was the anticipated expansion of Austin’s metro system. The mat foundation was strategically chosen for its minimal interference with future infrastructure projects, as it requires shallower excavation compared to deep-pile foundations. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the skyscraper remains adaptable to the city's evolving urban landscape while avoiding conflicts with planned transportation developments.

The technical solutions implemented in the Austin skyscraper project showcase a synergy between advanced engineering, material efficiency, and sustainable urban integration. From the reflective glass facade that enhances energy performance to the hybrid structural framework that ensures both stability and aesthetic elegance, every aspect of the design has been meticulously crafted to create a high-performance, future-proof skyscraper. The combination of reinforced concrete slabs, an optimized column system, and a carefully designed foundation not only guarantees the longevity and resilience of the structure but also positions it as a model for innovative, sustainable, and adaptable high-rise architecture in a rapidly evolving city.

Documentation

Show PDF 1

Created in: