![]() ![]() But designing the exoskeleton is a problem that architects and engineers tackle together-how to make a structure that is both cost-efficient and beautiful. It’s helped that over the years scientists have developed better materials like stronger steel and concrete. To save money, engineers are always trying to use as little material as possible while keeping the building safe. Techniques like the exoskeleton offer a creative solution to skyscraper engineers’ ongoing challenge: how to reduce building costs while staying true to an architect's vision. In addition to the concrete core and steel frames that make up the interior skeleton of many modern skyscrapers, the Chengdu Tower has an exoskeleton-a weight-bearing structure constructed on the outside of the building. The Chengdu Tower, in particular, stands up because of a new twist on an old technique that marries design and engineering. At 1,535 feet tall, the skyscraper will be the fourth tallest building in China-and a giant exhibit of engineering’s ability to make tall things stand up. The expected completion date of the tower, which began construction last November, is sometime in 2018, the ten-year anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed almost 70,000 people and ravaged the southwestern Chinese city’s infrastructure. They are distributed over the world's most developed regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.The Chengdu Greenland Tower, currently under construction, is rising to conquer the Chengdu skyline. The 46 skyscrapers in How to Build a Skyscraper appear not for their height but for their pioneering technology, sustainability, and other characteristics that set them apart. ![]() For example, The Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe, London, UK, surprisingly has only one piece of curved glass, despite its rounded shape. The lavish spreads feature a large photograph with cross-section drawings plus fact boxes listing location, year of completion, height, stories, primary functions, owner/developer, architect, structural engineer, and construction firm.Ĭoncise text describes historical context unusual or innovative construction engineering and structural systems foundation, facade, and shape the site history and building usage as well as any special features that make the skyscraper unique. Skyscrapers have been piercing the clouds since the end of the nineteenth century but today's soaring land prices are driving developers to build bigger, better and higher while aiming for as small a footprint as possible. This distinctive book is the most comprehensive collection of modern skyscrapers published in the last 20 years. It's a fine primer, especially for skyscraper geeks in search of a vicarious 'round-the-world tour. This book stays true to its title, probing beneath the skin of skyscrapers to reveal their structural bones and the other things that shape them. Handsome color photographs, fact-packed summaries and crisp drawings (especially, a lucid cutaway look at each skyscraper) enhance his bite-sized blocks of text. An architectural expert tours 46 of the world's most significant skyscrapers.Ī useful ready-reference work and a treat for architecture buffs.
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