How can you stay ahead of tall building trends?

1 Know the standards and codes

The first step to stay ahead of tall building trends is to know the standards and codes that govern the design and performance of these structures. Different regions and countries have different regulations and requirements for tall buildings, such as height, wind, seismic, fire, and sustainability criteria. You should familiarize yourself with the relevant standards and codes for your project location and scope, and keep updated with any changes or revisions. You should also be aware of the best practices and guidelines from professional organizations and associations, such as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), and the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC).

2 Learn from the experts and peers

Another way to stay ahead of tall building trends is to learn from the experts and peers who have experience and knowledge in this field. You can attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars that focus on tall building topics, such as design, analysis, construction, technology, innovation, and case studies. You can also network and communicate with other structural engineers, architects, contractors, developers, and researchers who are involved in tall building projects. You can exchange ideas, insights, feedback, and challenges with them, and learn from their successes and failures. You can also join online communities and forums, such as the SkyscraperCity, the SkyscraperPage, and the CTBUH LinkedIn group, where you can find and share information and opinions on tall buildings.

3 Explore new technologies and tools

A third way to stay ahead of tall building trends is to explore new technologies and tools that can enhance your skills and capabilities as a structural engineer. You should be familiar with the latest software and applications that can help you model, analyze, design, and optimize tall buildings, such as ETABS, SAP2000, Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Tekla, and BIM. You should also be aware of the emerging technologies and innovations that can improve the efficiency, safety, quality, and sustainability of tall buildings, such as prefabrication, modularization, 3D printing, robotics, smart materials, sensors, and renewable energy systems. You should be open to experiment and adopt new technologies and tools that can benefit your projects and clients.

4 Follow the trends and forecasts

A fourth way to stay ahead of tall building trends is to follow the trends and forecasts that influence the demand and supply of these structures. You should be informed of the economic, social, environmental, and cultural factors that affect the development and growth of tall buildings, such as urbanization, population, land use, climate change, globalization, and lifestyle. You should also be aware of the market trends and opportunities that create and shape the demand and supply of tall buildings, such as industry sectors, regions, typologies, functions, and styles. You should also be able to anticipate and adapt to the future trends and scenarios that may impact the field of tall building engineering, such as new regulations, technologies, innovations, and challenges.

5 Pursue continuous education and development

A fifth way to stay ahead of tall building trends is to pursue continuous education and development as a structural engineer. You should always seek to improve your knowledge and skills in the field of tall building engineering, and expand your scope and expertise. You can enroll in online courses, certificate programs, or degree programs that offer specialized training and education in tall building topics, such as the CTBUH Online Academy, the Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat MSc at the University of Nottingham, or the Advanced Master in Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Constructions at the University of Minho. You can also seek professional recognition and accreditation from recognized bodies and institutions, such as the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), or the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

6 Stay curious and creative

A sixth way to stay ahead of tall building trends is to stay curious and creative as a structural engineer. You should always be interested and passionate about the field of tall building engineering, and explore new ideas and possibilities. You should also be willing and able to think outside the box, and challenge the conventional and traditional approaches and solutions. You should also be inspired and motivated by the examples and achievements of other structural engineers, architects, and designers who have created and contributed to the world of tall buildings. You should also be confident and proud of your own work and vision, and strive to make a positive and lasting impact on the built environment and society.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?