Saylee Bhogle

advisor

Illinois Institute of Technology, College of Architecture

United States of America

My architectural focus lies at the intersection of sustainability, social equity, and experiential… more

The high-rise commercial office tower presents a strong and ambitious vision for a dense urban business district such as Motijheel. The concept of the tower as a “spinal cord supporting work and life” gives the project a clear conceptual backbone and a recognizable metaphor that guides its vertical organization and identity.

The architectural expression is particularly striking. The twisting vertical form combined with the diagrid façade creates a dynamic and sculptural presence within the skyline. The building reads as a landmark object, and the structural expression becomes an integral part of its architectural identity rather than a purely technical solution.

Functionally, the project is highly comprehensive and well organized. The clear vertical zoning-from public and commercial functions at the lower levels, through extensive office floors, to recreational and observation spaces at the upper levels-demonstrates a solid understanding of high-rise programmatic stacking. The inclusion of retail, dining, leisure, and public amenities within the tower enriches its urban role and supports the idea of a mixed-use vertical ecosystem.

The proposal also shows awareness of environmental and structural performance. The hexagonal diagrid system is appropriate for resisting wind loads in a tall structure and contributes to structural efficiency while maintaining openness in floor plates. The use of photochromic glazing and double-glazed units reflects an effort to address solar gain and energy performance, which is important in dense urban contexts.

Overall, the project is visually powerful, conceptually clear, and programmatically rich. It successfully combines architectural expression with functional diversity and presents a strong identity for a contemporary high-rise building. The ambition to integrate work, leisure, and public experience within a single vertical structure is clearly articulated and well developed.

- Strengthen the relationship between the “spinal cord” concept and the actual spatial organization, ensuring the metaphor influences interior spatial experience as much as the exterior form.
- Further refine the structural logic so that the twisting form and diagrid system read as fully integrated rather than visually applied to the volume.
- Develop clearer transitions between program zones, especially between office, recreational, and observation functions, to enhance user experience in vertical movement.
- Explore how the tower engages more actively with the ground plane and surrounding urban context, reinforcing its role within the city rather than only as an isolated object.
- Expand environmental strategy beyond façade treatment by considering ventilation, shading depth, and passive performance at different tower heights.
10.05.2026

Dear Saylee Bhogle,

Thank you so much for the detailed feedback and observations. I really appreciate the way you’ve engaged with my project.

The “spinal cord” concept was derived from the major circulation spine, the flyover-network of Motijheel, which functions as one of the city’s key urban connectors. Without it, the daily workflow of the area would be significantly slower and less efficient. The idea was to translate that sense of movement, connectivity, and infrastructural flow into the tower’s vertical organization, circulation system, and structural expression.

Since the proposal is envisioned as a monumental commercial office building in a dense business district, the focus is intentionally more on vertical urbanism and skyline identity rather than a purely ground-level, human-scale intervention. However, the lower public and semi-public levels—such as restaurants, conference dining, lounges, retail areas, cafés, and observation spaces—are designed to ensure active internal engagement and layered public interaction within the building itself, instead of relying only on external plaza-based activity.

The twisting form and diagrid system are developed together as both structural and architectural responses. The diagrid is not treated as a surface layer; it is used for its structural efficiency in reducing internal columns, improving wind resistance, and supporting the complex geometry of the tower while still allowing flexible and efficient office floor plates.

Programmatically, the vertical zoning follows a clear progression—from public and commercial functions at the lower levels, to office spaces in the mid-zone, and recreational plus observation facilities at the upper levels. This creates a structured hierarchy of access, privacy, and movement throughout the tower.

From an environmental perspective, the proposal integrates photochromic glazing, 32 mm double-glazed facade systems, and a hexagonal diagrid framework. These elements work together to reduce solar heat gain, improve thermal efficiency, and enhance overall environmental performance in the dense climatic context of Motijheel. The facade is therefore not only a visual or aesthetic component, but part of a broader structural and performance-driven system.

Overall, I really value the encouragement and critique. It helps sharpen the reading of the project. At the same time, I feel the current approach already holds these intentions in a structured way, and pushing it further might risk losing that balance. Thanks again.