News roundup: How super tall buildings are aging, and more news

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, find out how super tall buildings are ageing. In other stories, political upheaval, a contentious anti-corruption campaign, and stalled decision-making undermine Vietnam’s economic recovery. Finally, the tiny art trend has a huge impact on interiors.

How are super tall buildings ageing?

With the invention of the elevator, the sky became the limit, and buildings of 7 to 10 stories began to appear. Mosette Broderick, Director of Architectural and Urban Studies at New York University, explains in ArchDaily that the Equitable Life Assurance Building that opened in 1870 with seven stories inspired both fascination and fear.

From the few brave souls of the 19th century to today’s coveted multimillion-dollar penthouses, our relationship with tall buildings has evolved, generating different meanings and uses as they grow in size and height. Thanks to advancements in civil engineering, buildings are reaching increasingly staggering heights.

Height, once viewed as a symbol of luxury, has now led to serious issues. Problems include mechanical and plumbing failures, elevator malfunctions, and walls that creak like those on a ship. These situations suggest that some construction methods and materials may still need to meet engineering standards. Many of the structural issues—like water leaks creating 300-meter waterfalls in elevator shafts—are occurring in the mechanical floors, which are often criticized for being excessively high. This design choice allows New York developers to build taller than zoning regulations usually allow since mechanical floors do not count toward the maximum height limit. As a result, ongoing repairs and structural renovations are often needed to ensure the proper functioning of some super tall buildings in the city.

Commentary: Political upheaval in Vietnam is holding its economy back

Vietnam in many ways seems the belle of the ball in Southeast Asia. Economically it has been amongst the top beneficiaries as multinational firms and supply chains look to diversify out of China.

And that’s because in part geo-strategically it also seems well-positioned: What other country could host the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia within the space of a year?

But look beyond the headlines, and the picture is less rosy. 2023 was a tough year for the Vietnamese economy, with growth at just 5 percent. There has been some pickup this year, with the economy expected to expand by 6 percent.

According to CNA, political upheaval, a contentious anti-corruption campaign, and stalled decision-making are undermining the recovery and risk limiting Vietnam’s ability to benefit from shifting global supply chains.

Tiny art trend and its big impact on interiors

When it comes to artwork, you might picture statement pieces of classic paintings on huge canvases or oversized sculptures. However, smaller pieces offer a different allure, drawing viewers in to appreciate their more delicate details. These tiny treasures create intimate moments within a space, making them perfect for adding a touch of charm and sophistication to any room. As the microtrend of tiny art gains popularity, it’s clear that less can indeed be more, transforming interiors with subtle elegance.

BluPrint reports that the tiny art trend simply refers to displaying small-scale artwork, typically around 14 inches in dimension. This takes advantage of available negative space, allowing smaller pieces to shine through all on their own without being too imposing. At its core, it encourages a minimalistic approach in terms of size and number when choosing the decor you’ll display.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].