What type of walls often serve as the exterior skin on a high-rise building?

What type of walls often serve as the exterior skin on a high-rise building?

• A. Curtain walls
• B. Load bearing walls
• C. Fire barrier walls
• D. Nonbearing walls

Answer: (A)

Curtain walls are commonly used as the exterior skin on high-rise buildings due to their lightweight nature and design flexibility. Unlike load-bearing walls, which support structural loads from the building above, curtain walls are non-structural and primarily serve to protect the building from external elements such as weather while allowing for abundant natural light. This makes them ideal for modern architectural designs, especially in high-rises where maximizing usable interior space is crucial. Curtain walls can also incorporate glass, which enhances energy efficiency and aesthetics. Their ability to be installed without bearing weight allows for various architectural styles and materials, contributing to the overall visual appeal of high-rise structures.

Curtain walls are commonly used as the exterior skin on high-rise buildings due to their lightweight nature and design flexibility. Unlike load-bearing walls, which support structural loads from the building above, curtain walls are non-structural and primarily serve to protect the building from external elements such as weather while allowing for abundant natural light. This makes them ideal for modern architectural designs, especially in high-rises where maximizing usable interior space is crucial. Curtain walls can also incorporate glass, which enhances energy efficiency and aesthetics. Their ability to be installed without bearing weight allows for various architectural styles and materials, contributing to the overall visual appeal of high-rise structures.