A general description of a high-rise building is given in the context of a brief for that called maximum off-site fabrication and engineering services that would respond to an evolving electronic banking technology and high departmental mobility.The resulting development of the floor-based air-conditioning concept is outlined with particular reference to the selection of comfort criteria, physical constraints, and numerous full-scale air-distribution studies undertaken. A description is given of the design and development of the major system elements, namely, modular air-conditioning plant rooms, prefabricated subfloor services distribution units, and high-volume floor-mounted linear and circular air-conditioning diffusers. Finally, a brief discussion is presented on the system's ability to respond to changes in office planning.Units: SI