PBS - Super Skyscrapers (2014) Part 2 Building the Future

Super Skyscrapers

A new generation of skyscrapers is rising above our cities - Superskyscrapers. With less space in urban areas we are building higher and faster than ever before. But for these skyscrapers it's not just building big that count- it's thinking big. These skyscrapers are pushing the limits of engineering, technology and design to become greener, stronger, smarter and more luxurious than their predecessors. All are destined to become the celebrity giants of the future. Super Skyscrapers (4 x 60') follows the creation of four extraordinary skyscrapers showcasing how they will revolutionize the way we live, work and how we protect ourselves from potential threats, both from the environment and terrorist attacks. Each episode follows the rise of an individual skyscraper and their pursuit to be the very pinnacle in security, design, opulence and height. Their ambitions are great, but the risks are even greater- girder sized nerves of steel are required to turn these dreams into reality and it's the high stakes at play that set these giants apart from any other high-rise. Filmed over the course of a year, each episode follows the rise of a single skyscraper during a crucial timeframe in their construction period. With unprecedented access to the build process, Superskyscrapers goes behind the scenes of construction to show these iconic landmarks in the making. A host of architects, designers and engineers reveal the over-riding ambitions of each building and the colossal challenges that lie on the journey from conception to completion.

Part 2: Building the Future

Commonly known as “the cheese grater,” the Leadenhall Building is the pinnacle of London’s avant-garde architecture. Designed as a tapered tower with a steel exoskeleton, it’s the tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the most innovative. The teams behind the Leadenhall project had to radically rethink every aspect of the traditional building model. This program follows the monumental challenges that come with erecting this super skyscraper: it will be constructed off-site, delivered to location, and stacked and bolted together like a giant Lego set.

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