This paper proposes procedures and guidelines for the selection of optimum structural systems and materials in two stages. Stage one is based on a list of criteria, including architectural considerations. Stage two evaluates selected systems and materials for optimum performance of criteria considered critical for a given project. A tall office building in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is used as a case study to compare three structural systems: moment frame, braced frame, and shear wall; as well as two materials: concrete and steel. The case study considers four building heights: 10, 20, 30, and 40 stories. The STAAD Pro 2005 software is used to analyze these systems according to allowable stress requirements for an objective function to minimize drift, at minimal cost for a wind speed of 90 mph. Shear wall is the optimum structural system and concrete the optimum material to minimize lateral drift at minimum material and labor costs.