An introduction to skyscrapers spotlights eight built between 1889 and 2010 in Europe, the United States, and Asia, with information about the architects, the circumstances when they were designed, and the elements that make them distinctive.

Introduces the world's most amazing skyscrapers while explaining the engineering behind their creation, covering the Empire State Building, Petronas Twin Towers, Burj Khalifa, and Shanghai Tower.

"The world's skyscrapers have brought us awe and wonder, and yet they remain controversial--for their high costs, shadows, and overt grandiosity. But, decade by decade, they keep getting higher and higher. What is driving this global building spree of epic proportions? In Cities in the Sky, author Jason Barr explains all: why they appeal to cities and nations, how they get financed, why they succeed economically, and how they change a city's skyline...

Invites readers to watch workers dig, pour, pound, and bolt a skyscraper into existence.

"The global boom in skyscrapers-why it's happening now, how they're made, and what they do to cities and people. We are living in a new urban age and its most tangible expression is the "supertall": megastructures that are dramatically bigger, higher, and more ambitious than any in history. In Supertall, TED Resident Stefan Al-himself an experienced architect who has worked on some of the largest buildings in the world-reveals the advancements in...

Documents the creation of four extraordinary skyscrapers, showcasing how they will revolutionize the way we live, work, and how we protect ourselves from potential threats, both from the environment and terrorist attacks. Episodes include: One World Trade Center; One57; Shanghai Tower; and The Leadenhall Building. "One World Trade Center: One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the western hemisphere and a famous modern landmark, is engineered...

"Discover the true story of the Twin Towers--how they came to be the tallest buildings in the world and why they were destroyed. When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers--also known as the World Trade Center--and the buildings were seen...