‘Mega-tall’ skyscrapers are a group of increasingly innovative and complex construction projects with heights beyond what was previously possible.
With ground space becoming more limited and city populations growing, very tall buildings are becoming a more common sight as an efficient response to compact urban living. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), buildings over 300 metres in height are classified as ‘supertall’, while those exceeding 600 metres are considered ‘megatall’.
These innovative and boundary-pushing buildings also need facade access solutions that match the vision and ambition of the architects and developers. CoxGomyl has extensive experience in providing access solutions for supertall and megatall buildings, taking a holistic approach which considers roof design, cleaning cycles, the building footprint, BMU placement options, glass replacement strategies and emergency retrieval plans.
The right solution might involve large-capacity hoists operating over significant heights or a multi-zone approach using combinations of machines. Each project is unique, particularly in the case of megatall buildings, and CoxGomyl is committed to providing bespoke solutions which meet the needs of these complex structures.
At the time of its completion in 2008, the Shanghai World Financial Center was the tallest building in China at 492 metres and featured an observation deck at 474 metres.
The bespoke access solution required for the maintenance of the building and its distinctive architectural features consists of 20 separate BMU systems which work together to provide access to 100% of the building envelope while also retracting into the structure and out of sight when parked.
The system incorporates a variety of jib designs, including fixed-length jibs and multistage knuckle jibs. These allow the cradle to launch through narrow openings and reach around corners to access otherwise difficult areas of the facade. The glass-clad observation bridge at level 97 is serviced by a custom-made gantry which provides convenient access to this important viewing area.
The Burj Khalifa stands 828 metres tall and is one of the defining examples of megatall construction. Its unique tri-petal footprint and lack of conventional roof or terrace space meant that a traditional Building Maintenance Unit solution was not viable.
CoxGomyl developed 18 bespoke machines to achieve full facade access. The solution includes three wall-mounted machines located at levels 40, 73 and 109, with nine machines in total
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