Space Efficiency of Technical Installations in Tall Office Buildings An early stage analysis based on HVAC, elevators, water distribution and fire safety design

Abstract

Tall buildings are becoming more common in Sweden and the progress will require knowledge within the field. This thesis is aimed at an early stage analysis and investigates the technical systems for HVAC, elevators, water distribution and fire safety design in tall office buildings with focus on space efficiency and the distribution of the systems. The thesis is meant to illustrate the importance of design choices rather than to provide optimized solutions. Information about relevant system choices was gathered through a literature study and by interviewing professionals within the field. A case study was performed where three fictitious buildings of increasing height were investigated. For each of the mentioned systems, a number of possible configurations were tested in all three buildings to investigate the effects of increasing height and design choices on the space efficiency and the distribution of the systems. The results show that the space efficiencies of the studied systems are affected differently by the building height and that some design choices are more beneficial with respect to space efficiency. It was also evident that some of the systems have a greater potential of space saving than others. Additionally, it was seen that the distribution and sectioning vary between the systems depending on the requirements and prerequisites of each system. While it is recognized that many aspects need to be taken into account in a building project, the results in this report is considered to have the potential of being a support in an early stage analysis of tall office buildings.