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Abstract
Coastal high-rise development requires the simultaneous resolution of structural efficiency, wind-induced dynamic stability, environmental responsiveness, and contextual integration within sensitive waterfront ecosystems. This study proposes a vertically continuous high-rise architectural system defined by a bulb-crowned exoskeleton and symmetrically curved shell surfaces that rise from a compact coastal podium. The system is conceptualized as a geometry-driven structural–environmental framework, in which architectural form itself governs load transfer, airflow modulation, and thermal interaction.
From a structural mechanics perspective, the curved exoskeletal shells redirect gravity and lateral wind forces into predominantly compressive stress trajectories, minimizing flexural demand and reducing reliance on internal moment-resisting frames. Analytical interpretation shows that axial force dominance within shell ribs improves global stiffness-to-mass efficiency, lowers lateral drift ratios, and enhances torsional stability under asymmetric wind excitation. The convergence of shell elements at the bulbous crown acts as a three-dimensional compression ring, enabling uniform force redistribution while simultaneously stabilizing the upper structure.
Aerodynamically, the continuous curvature of the tower body and crown modifies wind flow separation, reducing vortex shedding intensity and peak cross-wind accelerations. Computational wind-response analogs suggest a measurable reduction in along-wind pressure coefficients and occupant-level acceleration compared to prismatic tower geometries of equivalent height. The bulb-crowned top further functions as a pressure-regulated exhaust chamber, promoting upward air movement driven by the combined effects of stack pressure and coastal wind gradients.
Environmentally, the system leverages proximity to water bodies as a passive thermal moderator. Evaporative cooling from adjacent coastal surfaces, coupled with vertical ventilation channels embedded within the shell geometry, contributes to reduced façade heat gain and improved internal comfort. The exoskeletal form simultaneously provides solar self-shading and enables controlled daylight penetration, reducing cooling energy demand in tropical and subtropical coastal climates.
This research demonstrates that architectural geometry can operate as a unified structural and environmental control mechanism, rather than a secondary aesthetic layer. The bulb-crowned exoskeletal high-rise offers a scalable and adaptable prototype for sustainable coastal landmark architecture, emphasizing compression-dominant load flow, wind-adaptive morphology, and passive climate responsiveness. While the framework is presented conceptually, it establishes a rigorous foundation for future computational simulation, wind-tunnel testing, and material optimization studies.