The world is full of engineering marvels that test the limits of architectural innovation. For example, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper to have ever been built. The structure, which stands 829.8 metres tall, continues to represent contemporary advancements in engineering. So how will we attempt to overcome this milestone and build the next tallest tower?
This article will look into the future of skyscrapers. Whether you’re a construction manager seeking inspiration or an architectural enthusiast, the buildings currently being forged are eye-wateringly ginormous. But are they enough to cast a shadow on the Burj Khalifa?
Jeddah Tower (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
First on our list of future skyscrapers is set to be the beacon of Saudi Arabia. Jeddah Tower is on its way to becoming the tallest building in the world. The structure is predicted to be a staggering 1,000 metres high, over 170 metres taller than the Burj Khalifa. The building will have 167 floors full of exciting amenities, from luxury apartments to restaurants.
Although the Jeddah Tower has been on the radar for a long time, we can’t expect to see the finished product for the foreseeable future. Construction began in 2013 but has come to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this doesn’t stop experts and novices alike from looking forward to a future with this masterpiece in it.
Merdeka PNB 118 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
As well as Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia is building a skyscraper that will change the perceptions of architectural boundaries for generations to come. Merdeka PNB 118 may seem like an obscure name for a building, but upon seeing the futuristic designs for this skyscraper, you might begin to think it is a good match.
Merdeka PNB 118 is exactly 678.9 metres high. The tip of the building, which reaches into the clouds, is over 100 metres taller than the Empire State Building in North America. The building will be utilised in a number of ways, providing Malaysia with hotels, offices, residential homes, and much more. The skyscraper, which also halted construction during the pandemic, is set to be fully built in 2022.
HeXi Yuzui Tower A (Nanjing, China)
Next on our list of up-and-coming marvels is HeXi Yuzui Tower in China. The skyscraper is forecast to be a monumental 500 metres tall and one of the highest of its kind in Nanjing. A viewing tower will sit atop the huge structure and give people a bird’s-eye view of its surroundings. This will attract visitors from across the world once construction finishes in 2025.
There will be many other buildings surrounding it, including a 100-metre office tower, an 86-metre residential tower, and much more. A project this big will require the latest in construction equipment and technology, from the best aerial work platforms to the latest structural engineering software. Do you think this building has the potential to shape the future of construction?
Suzhou Zhongnan Center (Suzhou, China)
China is teeming with impressive construction projects. In addition to HeXi Yuzui Tower, the Suzhou Zhongnan Center is attracting attention from around the world. The building is predicted to finish construction in 2026 and will be 500 metres tall. This contradicts original plans to build a tower that was 729 metres tall, no doubt due to restrictions on high-rise construction throughout China.
These are four examples of skyscrapers being built as we speak. There are many more in the pipeline, but these are the tallest on our radar. Whether the structures are to be used as public buildings, residential housing, or luxury hotels, people around the globe will travel to see these engineering marvels for themselves. Which will you go to see first?
Sources
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings?list=tallest100-construction
https://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/attraction/shanghai-tower.htm
https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/infrastructure/the-jeddah-tower-saudi-arabia-aims-for-the-sky.html
https://thetowerinfo.com/buildings-list/merdeka-pnb-118/
http://smithgill.com/media/pdfs/South_HeXi_Yuzui-for_web.pdf
https://inf.news/en/world/9899e6ac77aa0bad2af01cb08baf0afd.html
