Skyscraper that dissipates earthquake energy wins global tall-building award
SOM and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design designed the Guangzhou headquarters, which uses friction-based seismic bracing
The Sany Irootech Headquarters, a pair of skyscrapers in Guangzhou, China, has been named the Best Tall Building Worldwide for its exoskeletons, designed to respond to high winds and earthquakes. Its bracing uses clamped steel plates and friction material within its horizontal sections; in a big earthquake, the bracing slides and dissipates energy through friction and heat.