Vast quantities of high-rise developments are planned across the UK and Ireland. Some have been caught up in the planning system, others have just been granted planning approval, but very few have actually been built. The architectural community must now learn from those projects which are nearing completion in order to move visionary designs and concepts to the next stage.

Bridging the gap between the various disciplines involved in a high-rise scheme is vital to successful delivery. As the creative force behind a project, architects need to understand how design, building services and structural core come together to facilitate efficient construction once planning permission has been granted, or risk never having their designs realised.

Want to learn from others who have had their designs built ?

The 3rd annual AJ "Designing Tall Buildings" conference brings together the key industry figures involved in high-rise design and delivery to address the latest design and strategic challenges associated with tall building schemes.

Architects, architectural technologists, architectural technicians, developers, contractors, building services engineers, structural engineers, property consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities are expected to attend.

Program
08:30: Registration and refreshments
09:20: Opening address from the Chair
Kieran Long (Editor, The Architect's Journal)
09:30: Panel Discussion
"Building tall - Understanding planning policy developments in key authorities across the UK" 
- Colin Wilson (Strategic Planning Manager, GLA)
- David Roscoe (City Centre Development Manager, Manchester City Council)
- Jonathan Bore (Director, Urban Initiatives) 
10:20: Connections: tying tall buildings into the fabric of a city
Grant Brooker (Executive Director, Foster and Partners)
10:50: Question and answer session
11:00: Morning refreshments
11:25: Adopting a multidisciplinary approach: marrying aesthetics and form with the structure and building services
Andy Truby (Director, Gifford)
11:55: Case Study "Bahrain World Trade Centre"
Shaun Killa (Design Director, Head of Architecture - Dubai, Atkins) 
12:25: Exploring latest developments in vertical transportation
Karl-Otto Schöllkopf (Senior Engineer - Project Management & Consulting, Thyssenkrupp Elevator) 
12:55: Question and answer session
13:05: Lunch
14:10: Clients perspective on high-rise schemes
14:40: Superdensity living: designing the interior of residential towers
Christian Male (Associate Director, Ian Simpson Architects)
15:10: Question and answer session
15:20: Afternoon refreshments
15:45: Innovations in high-rise façade systems
Andrew Hall (Head of Global Façade Team, ARUP)
16:15: Case Study "Pan Peninsula Tower: Understanding the mechanics of building tall"
Richard Lines (Senior Project Manager, Canary Wharf Contractors)
16:45: Question and answer session
16:55: Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference