Tall buildings are shaped by a complex set of demands. Alongside density, viability and structural efficiency, architects and project teams must respond to tightening regulation, evolving fire and building safety requirements, the climate emergency, and the need to create healthy, comfortable and resilient places to live and work.

How can we design and adapt tall buildings to address competing issues around health and safety, thermal and acoustic comfort, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance? How can existing high-rise structures be upgraded to perform better over time? And how should our approach to tall buildings be reassessed in light of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and improve long-term environmental performance?

Join Architecture Today, Knauf UK and leading voices from the industry for a webinar exploring how tall buildings can be designed, specified and adapted to balance performance, safety and wellbeing.

The session will examine the practical realities of delivering high-rise buildings in a changing regulatory and environmental context, addressing key questions including:

• How are innovations in construction processes and technology improving the efficiency, quality and environmental performance of tall buildings?
• How can existing high-rise buildings be adapted to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance?
• How are project teams responding to fire safety requirements, regulatory compliance and the gateway approval process?
• How can acoustic, thermal and environmental performance be successfully integrated into tall building design?
• How can architects and engineers balance density and viability with user wellbeing, social impact and contribution to the civic realm?
• What role do facades, structure and specification play in delivering resilient, high-performing tall buildings?

Bringing together experts in facades, specification, building safety, structural engineering and design, the webinar will explore the strategies, tools and design approaches needed to deliver tall buildings that are safer, more comfortable, more efficient and better able to respond to the challenges of climate change.

Speakers

• Zara Edwards, UK Facades Discipline Leader, Buro Happold
• Miles Ellison, Southern Specification Director, Knauf UK
• Austin Wikner, Partner, Ridge and Partners LLP
• Roger Ridsill Smith, Head of Structural Engineering, Foster + Partners

As expectations around safety, comfort, sustainability and accountability continue to rise, the discussion will consider how tall buildings can move beyond compliance to deliver lasting value for occupants, clients and the wider city.

Date: Wednesday 8th July 2026
Time: 10 am
Platform: AT Webinar Platform

Partner: Knauf UK

We hope you can join us, however, if you are unable to attend, register in advance to receive the free, on-demand recording as soon as it becomes available.

All registrations are subject to our privacy policy.