Soaring skyscrapers and sustainable innovations: all the ‘record-breaking’ buildings
In the world of modern architecture, there are buildings that not only defy height and form, but also represent technological and sustainable innovations. These architectural masterpieces push the boundaries of design and engineering, setting new records and redefining the concept of construction. In this article, we explore some of the world’s most extraordinary constructions: the tallest tower, the thinnest tower, the tallest wooden building, the most sustainable skyscraper, the widest building and the greenest skyscraper.
- The World’s Tallest Tower: Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, located in the heart of Dubai, holds the title of the world’s tallest tower. Designed by British-Syrian architect Adrian Smith and built by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, this impressive building exceeds all expectations with its dizzying height of 828 metres. Its structure is composed of a series of steel and reinforced concrete tubes, designed to withstand high winds and earthquakes. Finally, the Burj Khalifa is not only a height record, but also a symbol of architectural innovation. Its exterior façade of reflective glass and steel panels is a masterpiece of modern design, reflecting sunlight and changing colour at sunset.
- The World’s Thinnest Tower: Steinway Tower
Located in New York, the Steinway Tower is a skyscraper that defies convention with its extraordinarily slim design. With a height of 435 metres and a base-to-height ratio of 1:24, this tower is designed to maximise the use of space while maintaining a sleek and aerodynamic structure. The Steinway Tower is a perfect example of how technological innovation and aesthetics can coexist harmoniously.
- The tallest wooden building: C6
The C6 in Perth, Australia, is currently the tallest timber building in the world, standing 50 metres high. Designed by architecture firm C6 Developments, this innovative building uses glued laminated timber (glulam) and engineered solid timber (CLT) for its main structure. These materials offer comparable strength and durability to concrete and steel, but with a significantly reduced environmental impact.
- The world’s most sustainable skyscraper: The Edge
The Edge, located in Amsterdam, is often described as the most sustainable skyscraper in the world. This state-of-the-art building is designed to minimise energy consumption and carbon emissions. With a total area of 40,000 square metres, The Edge harnesses solar energy and has one of the most advanced energy management technologies, with intelligent systems that automatically regulate temperature, lighting and air conditioning.
- The world’s widest building: Beijing-Daxing International Airport
Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, the Beijing-Daxing International Airport is the widest building in the world, with a total area of approximately 700,000 square metres. This majestic building, also known as ‘the star-shaped airport’, is a masterpiece of engineering and design, aiming to facilitate international air traffic with a capacity of approximately 72 million passengers per year.
- The world’s greenest skyscraper: Bosco Verticale
The Bosco Verticale, located in Milan, Italy, is considered the greenest skyscraper in the world. Designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, this unique residential complex is composed of two towers housing some 9,000 plants, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 plants of different species, creating a true urban forest. With a height of 116 and 76 metres, the Bosco Verticale is an extraordinary example of how architecture can integrate with nature.
The record-breaking constructions explored in this article represent the pinnacle of engineering, sustainability and human creativity. From the dizzying height of the Burj Khalifa to the innovative sustainability of The Edge, these structures not only set new standards in the world of architecture, but also inspire a new generation of designers and engineers to think beyond traditional limits.
