RWDI Unveils ClimateFirst Software: Transforming Climate-Risk Assessments and Resiliency Planning
RWDI launches ClimateFirst, a cutting-edge software solution designed to revolutionize climate-risk management in the real estate sector.
Sector: Iconic Structures
Creating the Impossible with Innovative Solutions
Shaping modern architecture with ambitious and unconventional icons
We take pride in bringing bold architectural and structural visions to life, whether they’re globally recognized icons or uniquely challenging designs that defy convention. For over five decades, we’ve pushed the boundaries of design and construction with unmatched expertise in wind engineering, environmental analysis, and building performance. Our reputation as trusted partners to architects and developers stems from our ability to solve problems others deem unsolvable. From soaring towers and landmark bridges to complex cultural monuments and one-of-a-kind structures, we deliver innovative solutions that make ambitious ideas buildable.
Addressing design challenges of iconic landmarks
Design trends are pushing boundaries by blending innovative materials and technologies with bold aesthetics, challenging conventional norms. The quest to build taller, longer, and better is only constrained by our collective imagination. Unique structures like skyscrapers, statues, spires, monuments, observation towers, all pose new challenges with one-of-a-kind shapes, new heights, spans, and unique architectural features that require innovative solutions to ensure integrity, performance, and resilience.
The right insights at the right time
From proposal to development, we have the right experience and expertise to solve any unique architectural challenge. Explore services for every stage of the lifecycle.
Services
- Environmental air quality, water, soil, waste
- Pedestrian wind, thermal comfort & safety
- Noise & vibration
- Energy, sustainability & wellness goals
- Computational and AI driven early design guidance for wind loads and climate considerations
Services
- Pedestrian wind, thermal comfort & safety (including urban heat island, pedestrian ventilation, and natural ventilation)
- Acoustics, noise & vibration
- Energy, sustainability & wellness, modelling and certification
- Solar effects (sun, shadow, glare, reflection, views, daylighting)
- Snow, ice, rain, sand (loading or management)
- Enclosures
- Structural, cladding, paver & furniture wind
- Aeroacoustics
- Exhaust dispersion
- Stack effect, door pressures & operability
- Smoke and internal ventilation
- Commissioning (enclosure and MEP)
Services
- Air, water, soil, or waste quality monitoring
- Enclosure commissioning
- Construction stage wind loading
- Weather forecasting
- MEP commissioning
- Noise & vibration monitoring
- Wind-blown dust management
Services
- Air quality monitoring
- Decarbonization consulting
- Energy & water modeling
- GHG emission inventories
- HVAC performance verification
- Re-, retro-, or continuous commissioning
- Noise & vibration monitoring
- Operational sustainability certifications
- Weather forecasting and operational response
Services
- Environmental (air quality, water, soil, waste)
- Noise, acoustics & vibration
- Snow, ice, rain, sand (loading or management)
- Enclosures
- Structural, cladding, paver & furniture wind
- Exhaust dispersion wind
- Stack effect, door pressures & operability
- Smoke and internal ventilation
- Commissioning (enclosure and MEP)
- Energy, sustainability & wellness, modelling and certification
- Solar effects (sun, shadow, glare, reflection, views, daylighting)
- Pedestrian wind, comfort & safety (inc. urban heat island, pedestrian ventilation, natural ventilation)
Services
- Environmental air quality, water, soil, waste
- Pedestrian wind, thermal comfort & safety
- Noise & vibration
- Energy, sustainability & wellness goals
- Computational and AI driven early design guidance for wind loads and climate considerations
Services
- Pedestrian wind, thermal comfort & safety (including urban heat island, pedestrian ventilation, and natural ventilation)
- Acoustics, noise & vibration
- Energy, sustainability & wellness, modelling and certification
- Solar effects (sun, shadow, glare, reflection, views, daylighting)
- Snow, ice, rain, sand (loading or management)
- Enclosures
- Structural, cladding, paver & furniture wind
- Aeroacoustics
- Exhaust dispersion
- Stack effect, door pressures & operability
- Smoke and internal ventilation
- Commissioning (enclosure and MEP)
Services
- Air, water, soil, or waste quality monitoring
- Enclosure commissioning
- Construction stage wind loading
- Weather forecasting
- MEP commissioning
- Noise & vibration monitoring
- Wind-blown dust management
Services
- Air quality monitoring
- Decarbonization consulting
- Energy & water modeling
- GHG emission inventories
- HVAC performance verification
- Re-, retro-, or continuous commissioning
- Noise & vibration monitoring
- Operational sustainability certifications
- Weather forecasting and operational response
Services
- Environmental (air quality, water, soil, waste)
- Noise, acoustics & vibration
- Snow, ice, rain, sand (loading or management)
- Enclosures
- Structural, cladding, paver & furniture wind
- Exhaust dispersion wind
- Stack effect, door pressures & operability
- Smoke and internal ventilation
- Commissioning (enclosure and MEP)
- Energy, sustainability & wellness, modelling and certification
- Solar effects (sun, shadow, glare, reflection, views, daylighting)
- Pedestrian wind, comfort & safety (inc. urban heat island, pedestrian ventilation, natural ventilation)
giant-magellan-telescope,grand-canyon-skywalk,merdeka-118
Central & South America
Giant Magellan Telescope
Protecting the performance of a groundbreaking telescope
United States
Grand Canyon Skywalk
Control of pedestrian-induced movement on an extraordinary bridge
How we help
We collaborate and support your vision with technical expertise across every climate and performance engineering discipline. Create more resilient iconic structures that exist in harmony with their environment and community.
Bring your bold architectural vision to life with innovative structural optimization. Our advanced engineering analysis will ensure even the most daring designs stand strong and perform flawlessly in any climate. With RWDI, you won’t have to compromise on your vision.
Breathtaking structures that are designed to be as efficient as they are beautiful, will see a reduction in construction and maintenance costs through optimized design, energy efficiency and resilient systems. We can help you achieve ambitious structural goals while optimizing asset profitability.
Seamlessly integrating striking architectural design with sustainable practices, ensures projects are both visually impressive and environmentally responsible.
New and unique designs can often face heightened scrutiny from city planners or government agencies. Navigating complex code, zoning laws, and regulations for first-of-its-kind projects can be slow down progress. Navigate complex building codes and regulations with ease, ensuring innovative designs meet the highest safety and comfort standards from concept to completion.
Holistic engineering solutions
Design challenges for iconic structures are complex. Our holistic suite of services offers climate responsive design and human-centric solutions that maximize performance while minimizing environmental impact.
World leaders in super tall structures
We bring expertise in supertall structures, turning architectural dreams into reality. Our innovative solutions in wind dynamics, damping, and environmental challenges ensure that even the tallest, most iconic buildings are stable and perform exceptionally in their local context. This means your project not only stands out but also withstands the test of time, contributing to some of the world’s most recognizable skylines with confidence and reliability.
Engineering wonders of the world
Our work goes far beyond just skyscrapers; we’ve tackled a wide variety of projects that push the boundaries of engineering. We’ve developed environmental solutions that make large public spaces more comfortable and usable, even in extreme weather. Our efforts in reducing vibrations and oscillations in major infrastructure projects show our focus on safety and performance. We thrive on solving complex and unconventional challenges, applying innovative thinking to structures that others may consider impossible.
Sustainable innovations
We focus on creating structures that are not only impressive but also environmentally conscious. This approach ensures that your building project is safe, resilient, and ready to handle unpredictable weather. By using cutting-edge tools to identify potential hazards and optimize energy performance, we help you achieve long-term sustainability and efficiency. Our work also sparks important conversations around the best use of climate data, ensuring that your project stays ahead in both design and environmental responsibility.
FAQs about our iconic structure services
Still have questions? Contact us.
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 100th 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.
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