tall-buildings

TMIDDLE A L L B(TOWER) U I L D I} NTALL G DBUILDING E S I G N DESIGN G U I DGUIDELINES
E L I N E Figure 3: Generous spacing of new towers (greater than 25m) reinforces the pattern of tower separation found in the existing context.
RATIONALE
Adequate tower separation distances from property lines and
from other towers is a critical aspect of tall building design.
The placement of towers should minimize negative impacts on
the public realm and neighbouring properties, such as adverse
shadowing, pedestrian-level wind, and blockage of sky view,
and should maximize the environmental quality of building
interiors, including daylighting, natural ventilation, and privacy
for building occupants.
Separation distances greater than the 25 metres are often
necessary to ensure a tall building fits harmoniously within an
existing or planned context.
Minimum
Separation Distance
Equal to Widest
Dimension of
Tower Floor Plate
X
Figure 4: Minimum tower separation distance proportionate to floor plate size, measured
from building face to building face.
X
The minimum separation distances are established to ensure
tall buildings achieve the following objectives for the protection
of sky view, privacy, and daylighting:
Sky View:
The ability to retain adequate sky view in between building
masses is essential to maintain the character, usability,
and quality of streets, parks, open space, and neighbouring
properties. Lack of sky view can also negatively affect the
microclimate and sense of pedestrian scale at grade.
Privacy:
Privacy objectives, particularly for residential units, are achieved
when tower orientation, appropriate facing distances, and
setbacks combine to mitigate overlook between the windows or
balconies of one building and those of another.
Daylighting:
Access to natural light in the building interior is an important
component of residential liveability, workplace productivity, and
sustainable building practice. An adequate level of daylighting
is achieved for residential buildings when natural light reaches
the main living space for part of the day. Tall buildings with
small floor plates and adequate separation provide enhanced
opportunity for daylighting.
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