CTBUH honors tall building designs, engineering, urban spaces future

by Christopher Brinckerhoff | July 22, 2024 6:00 am

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The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)[2] announced the winner of its 2024 Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award: Santiago Calatrava, architect, structural engineer, sculptor, and painter; and the winner of its 2024 Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Award: John Zils, a structural engineer who worked at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), based in Chicago, for more than 40 years, and helped pioneer the bundled-tube design with Fazlur Khan. Calatrava and Zils will receive their awards and present at CTBUH’s annual international conference, New or Renew: Addressing the Density Dilemma, Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, in London and Paris.

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Javier Quintana de Una, CEO at CTBUH, says, “This year’s lifetime achievement awardees exemplify innovation and dedication in the field of tall building design and urban sustainability. [Calatrava] has seamlessly blended art and engineering to create iconic structures that redefine skylines and urban spaces across the globe. And [Zils], who has significantly advanced the structural design of skyscrapers, has helped make them more efficient and enduring. We are thrilled to honor these individuals’ exceptional contributions to the realm of livable vertical urbanism.”

Celebrated for his visionary designs, harmonizing architecture, engineering, art, and nature, Calatrava is known for paradigm-shifting projects such as the Turning Torso, in Sweden; the City of Arts and Sciences, in Valencia; and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, in New York City. Calatrava has received awards and accolades for his innovative approaches and aesthetic brilliance.

“Architecture and engineering are not merely technical professions; they are also artistic endeavors that shape our cities and our lives,” Calatrava says. “Incorporating beauty, functionality, and sustainability into tall buildings is essential for creating spaces where people can thrive. I look forward to sharing my vision and experiences at the CTBUH conference.”

Zils, a notable figure in structural engineering, has led many projects worldwide that range widely in scope and scale. While at SOM, he was instrumental in the design of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), in Chicago; the Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao; and the Hajj Terminal, in Jeddah. His expertise has helped push the boundaries of what is possible in high-rise design.

“The evolution of tall buildings is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of overcoming engineering challenges,” Zils says. “Understanding and reimagining structural systems is key to creating resilient and sustainable urban environments. I am excited to contribute to this vital dialogue at the CTBUH conference.”

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/ctbuh-tall-building-designs/

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