What do skyscrapers look like

Imagine how long it would take to reach the th floor without travelling by elevator! Elevators make up the core of the building, which means architects pay close attention to their placement when designing a skyscraper. As for the fastest elevator in the world? It seems bugs have a lot to teach us. Mound termites, which live in Africa, South Asia, and Australia, build mounds that are covered in tiny holes.

These holes allow fresh air to enter and cool down the structure. Four South Korean architects believe that Giant Sequoia trees, which are native to California's Sierra Nevada, would make a great home for skyscrapers. The average Giant Sequoia tree is anywhere from to feet tall. The architects — Ko Jinhyeuk, Cheong Changwon, Cho Kyuhyung, and Choi Sunwoong — received an honorable mention at eVolo's design competition for a proposal to design towers inside hollowed-out Giant Sequoia trees.

Each story of the tower would be added gradually, and the skyscrapers would include research labs on environmental preservation, classrooms, a gallery space, and more. There are currently no plans to actually build such a tower.

For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.

Log out. US Markets Loading H M S In the news. Peter Kotecki. A skyscraper in Panama City has one of the tightest twists in the world. Dubai's Burj Al Arab was designed to look like a sail so it wouldn't cover the adjacent beach with its shadow.

The Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore boasts the world's largest infinity pool. The Turning Torso twists toward the sky in Malmo, Sweden. A Saudi Arabian skyscraper features an inverted parabolic arch. In Osaka, Japan, a skyscraper elevator's glass windows create the impression of flying.

Movistar's Chilean headquarters resembles a mobile phone from the '90s. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani lives in a story skyscraper with his family.

A new skyscraper in China will feature a 1,foot-long "sidescraper" across several towers. In Iraq, a group of architects is planning on creating a vertical city of four linked towers. A story skyscraper in Singapore will include thousands of plants all over its facade. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the planet. There's no better view on earth! Taipei , Taiwan: m tall Tapei was the tallest building in the world until the Bhurj Khalifa topped it.

You can reach these dizzying heights at equally dizzying speeds in elevators which travel at 38 miles per hour! Wilis Tower, Chicago: m tall Don't look down! Or do, if you can stomach it. Umeda Sky Building detail Those suffering from vertigo may wish to look away now. The tower looms over what was once a desert but is now home to luxury apartments, shopping malls and hotels for all the pilgrims who travel to this holiest of sites at this time every year.

Perhaps not a skyscraper in the traditional sense, the beaming depictions of Fu, Lu and Shou Chinese gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity certainly stand out against the skyline. Robot Building, Bangkok Just down the road from the Elephant Building, architect Sumet Jumasi designed the HQ of the United Overseas Bank as a storey robot representing the computerisation of banking and friendly face of modern technology. Every feature of this android has a practical use: the eyelids are sunshades, the eyes are meeting rooms, and the antennae are lightning rods.

The building boasts three helicopter pads, underground parking for cars, and requires some staff to run it — all for a family of five.