'Supersensored' Supertower

From Engineering News Record...

"There is at least one superlative associated with the world’s tallest structure that few know about: The 828-meter Burj Dubai, renamed Burj Khalifa on its opening day, Jan. 4, is likely the most monitored skyscraper in the world, from its foundation to the top of its pinnacle. Data collected from the building’s permanent sensors will be used to refine design and construction methods for future supertall towers..."

Click here to read the full article from ENR.

Burj Kahlifa (Dubai) now open!

Trump's tower (in Chicago) now 6th tallest building

From the Chicago Tribune:

"The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the global arbiter of height standards, has changed its criteria for measuring skyscrapers.

The old standard was that a skyscraper's height was determined by calculating the distance from the sidewalk outside the main entrance to the building's spire or structural top.

The new standard is that height is measured from "the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance" to the top.

For the Trump tower, this means an extra 27 feet in height. Its bottom is now considered to be the entrance to the still-unoccupied shops along the along the Chicago riverwalk, not the main entrance on Wabash Ave."

Click here for the full article.

Ryugyong Hotel

Infamously ugly and unfinished, the shell of the Ryugyong Hotel dominates North Korea's capital, Pyongyang. But work on the skyscraper began again last summer after a 16-year hiatus and, as the company behind it tells the BBC's Matthew Davis, an end may finally be in sight.

Read more at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8306697.stm

Travel through Dubai at 818 mph

Take a quick journey through the cityscape of Dubai from the vantage point of the metro at 818 mph.

224-story Skyscraper

From the Los Angeles Times...

"A Santa Monica architect known for his high-rise designs is working on what may be the ultimate "spec" building -- a 224-story skyscraper with green ambitions that would be the tallest structure in the world."

Click here for the full article

Sears Tower's glass ledge

The iconic Sears Tower, in Chicago, has a new feature. Jutting out from the 103rd floor is a new, enclosed glass ledge. It gives an unobstructed view to the ground from 1,353 ft. above. Given the discussion about glass damage, it's only fair to acknowledge some of the interesting uses of glass!

Sears Tower's new 'Ledge' offers visitors far-out views - Chicago Sun Times