We humans are great at building things for us. We’ve started building thousands of years ago and have reached to an era where we are able to build things as tall as the sky. It is undoubtedly true that human intelligence and creativity has no boundaries and myriad proofs can be witnessed in the form of astonishing elements that had been presented to our eyes from centuries. Take elephantine forts, churches and temples or the modern skyscrapers like the famous Empire State Building; we have excelled in all levels to glorify our buildings and make our living better and higher.Taller is something that keeps challenging. Everywhere there is a race going on for breaking the limits of the height of building. It’s growing vertically, defying gravity and the wind energy, the high rise structures of world holds the ground to amaze our eyes and placing a question in our minds ‘This much tall?’So let’s visit some of the world’s tallest buildings and climb to the top so that we can see what’s outside the sky.
At number 5International Commerce Centre, Hongkong: In west Kowloon, there lay an extremely tall building that consist mainly commercial offices and hotel. Its 484m (1,588 ft) high and a 118 storey building, the International Commerce Centre is constructed as a part of the project Union Square (a residential and commercial development project). It has been jointly made by MTR Corporation Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties. It caters its space to giants like Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. It also houses large number of restaurants, spas and fitness stations in its hotel.
At number 4Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai: The most striking feature of this building is its trapezoidal aperture at the top that is innovated to reduce the stress in the building layers that causes due to wind pressure. It is the best skyscraper completed in 2008; the Shanghai World Financial Center grows to 492 m (1,614 ft) and contains 101 floors. It has been build for mix use and has shopping malls, offices, observation decks, conference rooms and hotels. A bottle opener when seen from distance, SWFC has used its materials very efficiently than other comparable skyscrapers.
At number 3Taipei 101, Taipei: A tuned mass damper is a device mounted in structures to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations. Taipei 101 has the largest tuned mass damper in the world that gives the building an immense strength to withstand in extremely dangerous conditions of cyclones and earthquake. It is also the tallest and largest green building in the world with LEED Platinum certification. It’s 509 m (1,670 ft) and famous for its mix design that fuses modern architecture with Asian tradition. What is most attractive here? The fireworks on the new year’s eve.
At number 2Abraj Al-Bait Towers, Mecca: Aka Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower. In a mission to modernize the holy city, this skyscraper is born. It has the world’s largest clock face and holds numerous world records. The best part, it’s just few blocks away from the world largest mosque Masjid al-Haram. It’s 601 m (1,971 ft) high and has 120 floors to cater the pilgrims.
At number 1Burj Khalifa, Dubai: At 828 m (2,717 ft), Burj Khalifa tops the chart of world’s tallest buildings. The triple lobed footprint of the building is inspired from a water lily; miracle isn’t it that we derive all our inspirations from our mother nature and build unbelievable marvels. It houses Armani hotel, corporate suites, restaurants, observation decks and lobbies. Awards and records are in manifold, Burj Khalifa is really like its name, and a sure shot king. It makes everyone happy but what about the window cleaners!