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Originally Posted by BobLoblawsLawBlog
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I'd simply like to see the next tall development (over 150 metres) to have masonry. It would really stand out from the crowd. One would be enough.
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Yeah, solid/opaque surface on a tower provides more character to a building.
Unfortunately, the current trend (due to cost savings, I think) is to provide opaque surfaces using spandrel (opaque) glass, rather than brick, concrete or precast concrete panels.
Compounding the issue (apparently), is the desire of new projects to reduce solar gain in order to meet LEED requirements - so windows have become smaller. Gone are the expansive floor to ceiling wall to wall windows.
One means of reducing solar gain and still allowing expansive windows is wrap-around balconies (although the extension of the floor slab to create the balcony creates a heat sink / loss of heat). Wrap-around balconies can add a lot of character to condo buildings.
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