10 Skyscrapers Of The World

Tall, colossal, impressive achievements of the modern architecture, skyscrapers took a significant place in an architectural landscape of many cities of the world. Originally the word ‘skyscraper’ was referring to a tall mast or its mainsail on a sailing boat. At first the current definition of a skyscraper was applied to the ten-storey steel-framed building in Chicago, built in 1884-1885. Major William Le Baron Jenney, the architect of the first skyscraper, created the first load-bearing structural frame, where a steel frame supported the entire weight of the walls, instead of load-bearing walls carrying the weight of the building. After Jenney’s accomplishment, as far as buildings concern the sky was truly the limit. Let’s look at 10 most fascinating accomplishments in the skyscrapers’ architecture.

Burj Dubai, aiming to be the tallest skyscraper in the world, is currently under construction in the Downtown Burj Dubai district of Dubai. The tower is expected to be completed by September 2009. 818 m (2,684 ft) in height, the skyscraper is about to have 162 floors for commercial and residential purposes. Rapidly developed over last fifteen years Dubai, one of the seven United Arab Emirates, is home for many fascinating buildings including Rose Tower and Burj Al Arab, the tallest buildings in the world used exclusively as hotels.

Presently the tallest skyscraper in the world, Taipei 101 is 509 m (1,671 ft) in height building located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The name of the tower reflects its location in Taipei's international business district (101 mailing code) as well as its floor count. Not only the name, but also the design of the tower is quite symbolic. The tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese culture the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune. Curled ruyi figures, which appear throughout the structure as a design motif, connote healing, protection and fulfillment. From 6 to 10 pm each evening the tower's lights display one of seven colors in the spectrum. The colors coincide with the days of the week. The cycle through the spectrum connects the tower with the rich symbolism of rainbows as bridges linking earth to sky and earth's peoples to one another.

Located in the center of the Zone, international financial area in Shanghai, Shanghai World Financial Center is the third tallest building in the world (492 m or 1,614 ft). The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. Originally designed as a circle, the form of the peak was changed to a trapezoidal hole due to some controversies about a subtext of the original design. As a result this fascinating skyscraper slightly resembles a giant bottle opener. Among of many SWFC facilities are the world’s highest observatory on the 100th floor and the highest bar in the world on the 92nd floor.

The tallest skyscraper in the United States, the Sears Tower is a 108-story, 1,451 ft (442 m) building in downtown Chicago, Illinois. At the time of its completion in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York. The landmark of Windy City - the Sears Tower is one of the most popular places to visit in Chicago. The 99th floor Skydeck of Sears Tower offers spectacular views spanning up to 50 miles and 4 states.

The Empire State Building is probably the most known skyscraper in the world, thanks to the representation of the building in popular movies such as King Kong, Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle. The outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor of 1,250 ft (381 m) tower is not only the popular touristic attraction but also one of the most romantic places in New York City. At night the tower lights, which colors usually match seasonal events such as St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, the Fourth of July and etc., add a special magnetism to a breathtaking panorama of the city that never sleeps.

The tallest brick building in the world (319 m or 1,046 ft), the Chrysler Building is a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and considered by many skyscraper fans to be the world’s quintessential skyscraper design. The distinctive ornamentation of the building is based on features that were then being used on Chrysler automobiles. The most fascinating part of the building’s design is the beautiful tapered stainless steel crown that supports the famous spire at its peak. As an iconic part of the New York City skyline, the Chrysler Building has been depicted many times in films, photography, video games, art, advertising and etc.

The Baiyoke Tower II, located in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is 304 m (997 ft) tall and it is the country's tallest building. The Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the main resident of the building, occupies floors 22 – 74 of 85 floors of the tower. Also, the tower has public observatory on the 77th floor and an open-air 360 degree revolving roof deck on the highest floor of the building.

The most recognizable skyscraper in San Francisco skyline, Transamerica Pyramid (260 m or 853 ft) has a unique shape of four-sided pyramid with two "wings" on opposite sides of the building. Although it no longer houses the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, it is still strongly associated with the company and is depicted in the company's logo. This 48 floors building is reminiscent of San Francisco and one of main symbols of the city.

The world's tallest dedicated educational establishment, Moscow State University (240 m or 787 ft) is situated on top of a hill on a bank of the Moscow River just outside of the center of Moscow. In 1953, when completed, the building was the tallest outside of New York City. And it is still among the tallest buildings in Europe. The massive building consists of the central tower, followed by its two 18-storey high lateral wings that slope down to the arms of 8 stories each.  The most famous skyscraper in Russia, Moscow State University building has the 57 m (187 ft) spire topped by a 12 tons star, decorated with ears of wheat.

Properly known as the 30 St Mary Axe, or the Swiss Re Building, Gherkin building got its popular nickname from its pickle-shape design. It is not the tallest building in London (just 180 m or 591 ft) but definitely the most noticeable among London skyscrapers.  Completed in December of 2003, the building immediately became a popular icon of London and the face of the City of London. This beautiful tall structure has over 24,000 square meters of glass cladding and it is considered to be London’s first environmentally sustainable skyscraper as it uses half the power a similar tower would typically consume.