The service core is now acquiring an increased consideration in the design process of a tall building, since it is responsible for a great share of its energy consumption. Nowadays architecture is required to design green buildings, and the industry of high rises is strongly influenced by the ‘sustainable’ movement too. For this reason, several researches have been carried out recently, meant to lower the energy requirements of the core as a whole and of each of its sub‐components. On the contrary, little work has been done in order to assess its relevance on the embodied energy of the skyscraper. The present paper provides the author's definition for the service core, and analyzes the energy used by a tall building and the energy embodied in the materials during its construction. The author proposes several design strategies meant to lower the embodied energy of the service core. In order to assess the effectivity of alternative design strategies, the software Energy Plus has been used on a digital model of an existent building and on fictitious building having different core positioning. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mass timber buildings are gaining momentum, as they are seen as an environmental alternative to conventional concrete and steel structures, and they are also being used for mid- and high-rise buildings. This study conducted a comparative LCA analysis of 20- and 40-story building structures made with different combinations of steel and mass timber. The results show that, even disregarding the environmental benefits of the sequestered biogenic carbon by using a 0/0 approach, timber-based structures result in a roughly 25% lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) impact than steel- or hybrid-based equivalent solutions. The results show that the contribution of steel does not bring any GWP advantage (an average increase of 20% is reported); however, steel–timber hybrid structures may still be the only viable solution to attain greater heights. This study also evidences that materials with lower GWP in their production phase can present a viable solution even when long transportation is required, highlighting the importance of the production phase to reach environmental targets.

Elevators are essential for accessibility and play a key role in a building’s functionality. Normally mass-produced and purchased from catalogs, elevators require thoughtful integration into architectural design to meet ergonomic, aesthetic, and safety standards. Proper design ensures accessibility, comfort, and efficiency for all users. Internal elements, such as the control panel, influence the user experience within the cabin and should be designed for ease of use, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Two experiments were conducted in a static elevator cabin, installed at the University of Bologna to evaluate user interaction. The first experiment assessed user preferences for different control panel layouts, while the second experiment tested emergency procedures, comparing the standard long-press with a double-press method. Both procedures were also tested with participants with hearing impairments to explore accessibility perceptions among disabled users. An urgent need for an alternative emergency procedure, including a double press to initiate the call and a video–textual device for visual–written communication, was identified to ensure both comfort and safety in elevator use.

This paper presents a literature review exploring the end-of-life (EoL) scenarios for mass timber, focusing on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and circular principles. Despite its claimed environmental benefits, significant gaps exist in standardising LCA methodologies, including inconsistent system boundaries, challenges with time-dependent emissions, and limited integration of circular strategies. The literature review evaluates four primary EoL scenarios: reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and landfill. Reuse is identified as the most sustainable option, extending material lifespans and minimising environmental impacts, followed by recycling. Energy recovery is considered a fallback, while landfill remains the least desirable. Design for Disassembly and Reuse (DfD&R) is highlighted as critical for promoting circularity, though economic, market, and regulatory barriers hinder widespread adoption. The conclusion of this literature review calls for several thematic topics including harmonised LCA practices, policy reforms, and industry awareness to optimise EoL strategies for mass timber. By addressing these challenges, the building sector can better align with circular economy goals, reducing environmental burdens and supporting global climate targets.

A Whole LCA of the Sustainable Aspects of Structural Systems in Tall Buildings Embodied energy;Life cycle analysis;Structural engineering;Sustainability; This paper summarizes the results of a two-year-long research project conducted by the CTBUH on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of tall building structural systems. The research project was made possible thanks to a $300,000 contribution from ArcelorMittal and the support of some of the most important structural engineering firms and players in the tall building industry. The research analyzed all life phases of a tall building's structural system: the extraction and production of its materials, transportation to the site, construction operations, final demolition of the building, and the end-of-life of the materials. The impact of the building structure during the operational phase (i.e., impact on daily energy consumption, maintenance, and suitability to changes) was also investigated, but no significant impacts were identified during this phase.