Sector: Iconic Structures

We have worked on supertall buildings, skyscrapers, statues, spires, monuments, observation towers, domes, cultural sites and landmarks, and more.

We have participated in work on 16 of the world’s 20 tallest buildings, including award-winning projects like Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Statue of Unity in India, Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, and 8 Bishopsgate in London.

RWDI is a global leader in wind engineering and environmental consulting for supertall buildings. For many tall building projects, wind loads are the most significant load on the structure. We provide wind tunnel testing, structural load analysis, and motion control strategies that optimize safety, efficiency, and comfort at extreme heights. We can help projects understand the local climate for wind, the influence of the surrounding buildings on the project (or visa versa), the consequence of architectural height, shape and orientation, and inform structural design for stiffness and supplemental damping solutions. Our work ensures these iconic structures perform under real-world wind and climate conditions—while enabling bold, efficient, and resilient designs.

Nearly all tall buildings and structures move, the question is how much, can an occupant notice the motion, and what else needs to be controlled so that the owner and occupant do not see of feel the consequence of ambitious heights.  We keep the user in mind in everything we do, you might be slowly swaying on the 100^th floor of a building and not know it!

We analyze wind-induced accelerations and sway using physical and computational modeling, then provide solutions like aerodynamic tuning or damping systems (including tuned mass dampers). These interventions ensure that occupants remain comfortable—even on the uppermost floors—without compromising design intent.

We integrate high-performance systems, passive design strategies, and renewable energy modeling to reduce carbon impact and operational costs. Our team helps tall building projects achieve LEED, WELL, and other global certifications while balancing performance, constructability, and aesthetics at scale.

Supertall buildings significantly affect their surroundings. We assess wind comfort, pedestrian safety, solar access, and noise propagation at grade to ensure that public spaces remain welcoming and safe. Our guidance informs podium design, landscaping, and street interface to support vibrant urban integration.

In tall buildings, building envelope performance is critical to energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and durability. We optimize the envelope through thermal, moisture, and air leakage analysis—preventing condensation, improving HVAC efficiency, and supporting long-term façade resilience in complex vertical environments.