The paper is devoted to the description of the methodology and research by design carried out to identify solutions enhancing the functional flexibility of a high-rise building located in Warsaw at. Grzybowska Street. The work presents the theoretical background as well as the conducted research and methodology. The scope of solutions related to functional flexibility concerned the interchangeability of service functions in the podium part of the building, changes in the use of the parking lot, and the provision of the means of changes in the arrangement of types and variants of types of apartments on the apartments levels. The investigation was carried out in the pre-design and design phases. Objectives and criteria of solutions were defined, and research works were carried out through iterations and checking in terms of the cost-effectiveness . The adopted solutions consist in designing the optimal hard portion of the building – the core, the structural system, the arrangement of zones and installation rooms, and the use of structural and spatial over-designed systems. An optimal facade module has been developed. The research aims to introduce the design practice to the issue of flexibility, which is nowadays important for economic and environmental reasons.

The text is devoted to the description of the methodology and research by design conducted to determine the functional and spatial solutions of a high-rise building complex located inWarsawfavoring connections with the public space of the city. The research work was carried out in the following phases: pre-design, including analyses and studies, context analysis, data collection, and design phase including defining initial conceptual variants, developed conceptual variants, selection, and determination of the final variant of the concept of functional and spatial structure for further investment and design steps. The final solutions adopted in the described process in the realization of the complex and detailed execution designs were also indicated. Design research was done through iteration of solutions, critical analysis, and functional optimization. The final solution was the division of the stylobate part of the complex, following the pedestrian traffic analysis, into three investment parts and the introduction of a rich program of supplementary functions for the dominant office function. A complex program of supplementary functions: trade, entertainment and event space, medical functions, gastronomic parts.

The aim of the work is to present one of the most important structures of the last decade — the European Central Bank in Frankfurt am Main, against the background of the role which a sustainable skyscraper can play in the urban composition of a modern city. A literature query and original in situ research show that from the beginning of the 20th century, skyscrapers have become a symbol of the success and importance of cities and metropolises. At the same time, most of the historic skylines of European cities were saved from ‘Manhattanization’. One of the exceptions is Frankfurt, the financial capital of the EU. This paper discusses the construction of the ECB building, both as another important landmark in the city’s urban composition and as an innovative, sustainable structure. The results show that the location of an important high-rise building with a prestigious function in the urban structure confirms the city’s status. At the same time, it was proved that the technological and formal solutions used in the complex, together with the reuse of the built structure (recycling of architecture), may contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint and maintaining high environmental standards.