Taiwan Skyscraper Awarded World's Tallest Building Title
 

A global architectural group has certified that a colossus in Taiwan's capital is the new world's tallest building, at nearly 1,700 feet.

The 101-story building known as Taipei 101 is more than 180 feet taller than the previous record holder, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Some have likened it to a giant bamboo shoot of glass and steel.

The structure has the highest structural top, tallest roof and the highest occupied floor as well. It can also claim two of the world's fastest elevators. They can go from the ground floor to the 89th floor in just under 40 seconds.

The group that gave it the award measures from the sidewalk to the skyscraper's architectural top. Flag poles and antennas don't count.

and later it may also be known as the tallest to fall after a quake.

it also makes a good target when China needs to send them something.

on a serious note, "wow" now japan has to do theirs.

dang thats tall.

wait till this building is in place :)

then it will be the tallest :)

Taiwan has one big ego.

cool pix













Facts
- An 800-ton tuned mass damping system will help stabilize the tower. This system will be held in an exposed spherical structure near the top of the building, between the restaurant level and the observation deck.
- This will be one of the few buildings in the world equipped with double-deck elevators.
- Each elevator is designed with an aerodynamic body, pressurization and emergency braking systems, and the world's first triple-stage anti-overshooting system. The cost for each elevator is over $US 2 million.
- The 89th floor will be an indoor observation area, and an outdoor observation deck will be located on the 91st floor.
- Taipei 101 will hold 3 of the World's Tallest Building titles when it is topped out: Tallest to structural top, Tallest to roof and Highest occupied floor.
- It is one of the few supertalls in the world in which the design inspiration comes from traditional Chinese buildings.
- The tower's design and specifications are all based on the "8", a lucky number in traditional Chinese culture. This kind of "8-design" was also widely used in the completed Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai.
- The official rooftop topping-out ceremony was held on July 1st, 2003. The president of Taiwan and the mayor of Taipei participated in the event. Taipei 101 now holds the title of the world's tallest building measured to the roof, replacing the Sears Tower.
- The building will have the world's fastest elevators, traveling upwards at 1008 meters/minute (60.48 km/hour) and downwards at 610 m/min. (36.6 km/hour). The top speed are 34 percent faster than the current fastest, completed Yokohama Landmark Tower.
- The outdoor observation deck will be the second highest in the world, surpassed only by the under construction Shanghai World Financial Center.
- The Taiwan Stock Exchange will rent 7 floors in the building.
- The final section of the spire was put in place October 9, 2003, thus giving Taipei 101 the official world's tallest building title.
- Taipei's Mayor Ma Ying-jeou fastens a golden bolt to signify the official top-out of the tower at a ceremony held in October 17, 2003.
- It is the first and the only supertall in the world that is built at a highly active earthquake zone.
- completed Petronas Tower 1 and completed Petronas Tower 2 still hold the world's tallest twin towers title despite under construction [topped out] Taipei 101 holds the world's tallest title.
- Taipei 101 exceeded the structural height of completed Petronas Tower 1 and completed Petronas Tower 2 in late August of 2003.
- It is the first world's tallest building in the 21st century.
- The shopping mall, Taipei 101 mall, officially opened in November 13th, 2003.
- It is the first and currently only building in the world that breaks the half-kilometer mark in height.
- Exterior construction elevators and elevator shaft were fully disassembled in late February of 2004.
- Most aspects of the design, layout and planning are consulted by a Feng Shui master.

i wonder what if there's an earthquake tomorrow in taiwan?

"That's a huuuge b××××!!!"

That's what people call it in Taipei.

It's an incredibly tall building.... I tried to look up from the buttom and I almost broke my neck.

When I was there in April there was a SONY Fair right in the middle of the mall... it was really cool. I am not sure if SONY actually sponsors that part of the mall though.

One thing though, it may be tall but it's ugly as hell.... worse in person.



ps. it's not too often anyone gets to say this in Joe's threads... but this is a repost ! :D :D :D

http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...est+%2Bbuilding

cool...
i've been to petronas tower and its freakin HUGE, i wonder how this taipei 101 will feel

2 mil an elevator???

Damnnnnnn!!!!!

just the elevator.....
:rolleyes:

trivia:

● A detailed evaluation of wind and seismic effects was performed by experts from Taiwan and around the world during the building's design stage, ensuring the highest standards and compliance with building codes.
● Structural standards applied in designing Taipei Financial Center include ability to withstand the strongest earthquakes in 2,500-year cycle, and to resist wind forces of more than 60 meters per second.
● An 800-ton wind damper at the top of the building will significantly reduce lateral building movements created by the affects of wind. The damper will also reduce the duration and intensity of lateral movement induced by an earthquake.
● Fire prevention and extinguishing facilities: Non-flammable materials are used throughout the building, along with fire control systems and equipment to provide for maximum safety.
● Emergency escape: Each floor includes emergency escape corridors, leading to fire-safe rooms and outdoor refuge balconies every eight floors. Emergency power, communications equipment, ventilation and smoke exhaust equipment are built in throughout the building.
● Triple fire-fighting system: Isolated fire zones, smoke control and refuge systems form an integrated and effective fire fighting system designed to exceed any standards.
● Taipei Financial Center features a structural steel mega-structure design, providing maximum strength and stability.
● High-strength steel box columns filled with reinforced concrete forms a strong framework, with 8 mega columns as the backbone.
● The reinforced concrete strength is 10,000 pounds per sq. inch, 67% higher than the typical standards of 6,000 pounds per sq. inch.

Cn TOWER is nicer