Tall Building Demolition & LCA Host Room

Report by CTBUH Research Manager Dario Trabucco

Hosted By:

Delegates discussed the future of aging skyscrapers in the Tall Building Demolition and LCA Room.

During the CTBUH 2015 New York Conference, held from October 26–30, Despe, an Italian demolition contractor, welcomed interested guests to the Tall Building Demolition and LCA Host Room. Here, they hosted presentations on recent breakthroughs dealing with the full life-cycle of tall buildings, including life cycle analyses and new demolition methods. Many of the presentations focused on the Top Down Way, a patented demolition technique offered by Despe.

Despre CEO Stefano Panseri gave a succinct overview of the Top Down Way. He described it as a technique that is based on three key concepts: safety, speed, and care for the environment. He also explained the essential concept behind the demolition method. It utilizes a steel box easily located on the top of a high-rise building, inside which all the demolition works are performed. The enclosure envelops three building floors and completely adheres to the façade, creating a sealed space. As the demolition progresses toward the ground, the box is lowered with the support of hydraulic jacks, until reaching the ground. As explained by Panseri, working inside this enclosed space limits air and noise pollutions while ensuring added safety.

There were several case studies of the Top Down Way in action that were shown to the sponsor room guests, including the recent deconstruction of the “Gallowgate Twins,” a pair of 31-story concrete residential towers located in the West End of Glasgow. The 91-meter towers were demolished in 2015. Additionally, a case study was presented on the demolition of the 73-meter Tour UAP in Lyon, France. The Top Down Way was utilized in this situation because of the tower’s location to an active shopping center.

Monday, October 26, 2015

11:15 –11:45 AM

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

12:45 – 1:45 PM

2:30 – 3:00 PM

3:15 – 3:45 PM

4:30 – 5:00 PM