Merits of US construction technique

A typical concrete building in Hong Kong consists of a floor supported by beams that are in turn supported by columns.

In fact, the old Chinese residential concrete buildings and the modern one of high-rises are built quite similarly.

In concrete residential buildings in the United States, the structural components are mainly a floor plate supported by columns (a concept first introduced by a French architect shortly after World War II).

The floor plate of uniform thickness is sized according to the spacing of the columns. There are no beams.

The advantages are many: It reduces construction cost and time by not having to build special formwork and staging supports for the beams. When labour costs and development interest rate is high, the cost savings are substantial.

It eliminates the unsightly occurrence of beams crossing in a room and gives a higher ceiling clearance. In some older buildings here, there are even major and minor beams integrated into the thinnest possible floor/ceiling constructions.