Engineers Invent Method to Speed Up Skyscraper Construction

Published on August 15, 2019 by Sara Chauvette

Rainier Square Project (Photo Credit: Magnusson Klemencic Associates)

Time is money. That’s especially true when it comes to construction and building projects! One company says they know a way to shave off months of construction time when building high rise buildings.

Magnusson Klemenic Associates, in coordination with Purdue University, researched and designed a new core system for skyscrapers. They call it Speed Core, and it’s more efficient and economical than traditional reinforced concrete centers.

The engineering firm is using the system to build a new apartment and hotel complex in Seattle. They’ve built 40 of the 58 stories in the building, and they say they’ve already saved 8 months of construction time using Speed Core.

Their method utilizes steel plates connected by plates full of high-strength concrete.  The design took years to construct and researchers are still editing to make it more simple and strong.

Magnusson Klemenic says the new Seattle skyscraper will take 22 months in total to finish. It’s located in the city’s Rainer Square.

The firm has previously designed other skyscrapers in the city, including a 37-story residential building that at the time of completion, was the second tallest residential towner in the city.