With land prices skyrocketing, Bangaloreans are going the extra vertical. While ‘higher the merrier’ seems to be the mantra of young professionals, developers seem happy with the increased floor area ratio gained in large apartment complexes. High-storey residential living has opened up in Bangalore, with a 50-floor project in Yeshwantpur and another 46-floor housing ventureat Bannerghatta Road.
Local real estate professionals have been collaborating with foreign companies in the last five years, getting the expertise and technology for high-rises, says civil engineer Aswath M.U., former secretary-general, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (ACCE). “It has helped India gain more courage to accept the concept of high-rise living, for the feel-good factor lies in buyers understanding tall building safety,” he said. “Lateral loads comprising wind pressure and earthquake risks have to be balanced. Vertical loads where the self-weight of the building, made of concrete, steel and other materials are to be stabilised for tall building safety.” Tall structures, he said, also have to intensely consider the floor systems and Connections for professional placement of columns and beams to combat these lateral loads. High-strength concrete and steel for reducing weight in construction becomes a paramount issue, just as fire-safety blueprints too get more critical.
The ‘Presidential Tower’ at Yeshwantpur uses earthquake-resistant RCC, with controlled concrete beamless ceilings and lesser columns for interiors. The 46-storey building in Bannerghatta comprises 133 residences with a sky lounge on the 41st floor, an observatory on the 42nd, apart from a helipad and aqua gym.
