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Architecture is one of the oldest challenges in engineering. In this series, we will examine the world's most challenging structures in terms of engineering.

Iconic Builds Videos | Interesting Engineering Original Videos

Qatar 2022 World Cup is possibly the last time that legendary players such Ronaldo, Messi and Suárez will grace the pitch. Let’s have a look at some of the incredible stadiums they will play in.

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The last FIFA World Cup featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest ever; a swan song for the legends. What could be the coolest way to commemorate the occasion? Well, the organizers did it, and quite literally. Eight stadiums, new or refurbished for this tournament, have been equipped with technology to keep players and fans cool in the Qatari heat. Dr. Saud Ghani, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Qatar University, masterminded this cooling technology with his team. They created 3D models of the venues, placed them in a wind tunnel, and used computational software to determine the temperature at various levels. Their observations were pivotal in choosing football-sized nozzles parallel to the pitch to blow cool air on the players and smaller air diffusers under spectator seats to push cold air at the ankle level, mimicking a cold and natural flow. The cleverness lies in how the air is drawn back, re-cooled, and then used again, making it even more eco-friendly. This technology should help even the likes of Luis Suárez keep a cool head.Another stadium that is sure to blow your mind is Stadium 974, designed and built with the intention of removal after the event. This radical idea stemmed from Fenwick Iribarren Architects, in association with Schlaich Bergermann Partners and Hilson Moran. The 40,000-seat waterfront marvel is constructed using shipping containers as building blocks, supported by a steel frame. Everything, from grandstands to stalls to sanitary fittings, can be broken down and transported as shipping containers.The use of technology does not stop at the boundaries of the pitch. This World Cup will see the introduction of match balls with an inertial measurement unit sensor placed inside. The sensor, capable of sending ball data 500 times a second, will be used in conjunction with 12 tracking cameras mounted underneath the roofs of each stadium, and 29 data points of each player, to make a quick and precise decision at all times. Another nice touch by the Qatari organizers is the planned donation of seats to various projects around the globe, once the World Cup is over. But how do you get to these stadiums? Well, make use of their fantastic metro system featuring driverless trains that reach up to 60 miles per hour, and you could be there in no time. Qatar 2022 is setting an example for future host nations to follow, and fans worldwide couldn&#39;t be more delighted.

Will this be the best World Cup ever and will the features included be used in other tournaments?

Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadiums Are Engineering Feats

In Copenhagen, there is a bizarre-looking yet almost fitting skyline building; the building in question is called Amager Bakke (CopenHill).

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How would you feel living 200m away from a waste incineration plant? Could the ability to ski down its roof make it palatable? Well, that is what the residents of Copenhagen face. Built within an industrial area of Copenhagen and visible from miles around, Amager Bakke is a bizarre-looking building that houses a waste-to-energy plant designed to provide up to 72,000 homes with power. Right from its inception, the aim was to be economically, environmentally, and socially profitable, and the plant converts 440,000 tons of waste into energy annually. Rather than house the plant in a corner that would soon be unfavorable to nearby residents, the architects at the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) decided that the building would be of better use to the public to enjoy through the seasons: hiking trails, playgrounds, and fitness structures during the summer, and ski slopes during the winter.The building houses all the machinery for the plant inside and requires a complicated structure constructed using steel. This superstructure, whose facade constitutes 1,000 aluminum bricks on steel sandwich panels, is a testament to architecture. The placement of machinery within is based on their height, thus creating a ski slope the size of two-and-a-half soccer fields.The plant ingests up to 300 truckloads of waste on any given day, waste that is leftover from recycling and sorting household and business-generated waste across the metropolitan area. The plant integrates technology dubbed “DynaGrate” which does not require a stoppage when situations such as metal content in the waste occur. DynaGrate is also water-cooled, thus reducing NOx formation and energy used up by fans. These factors contribute to lower operating costs than traditional methods.However, Copenhagen’s increasing efficiency in reuse and recycling has now presented a new problem: the plant is running out of its most important fuel source, rubbish. A decision to import rubbish from Denmark&#39;s neighbors had to be made to keep up energy production.Another issue the plant faces is a dispute regarding much-needed repairs for the ski slope between the owner Amager Bakke and its insurance company Tryg. The ski slope is at risk of an indefinite closure if the foundation loses its case to win repairs estimated at $1.5 million.Amager Bakke and Denmark set an interesting question: what does the future hold? What if we all become so efficient? Only time will tell if the building gets reduced to merely an architectural feat.

CopenHill: The Story of Iconic Clean Energy Plant With Its Own Ski Slope

The Burj Khalifa tower is much more than just the world’s tallest building. For many people, it symbolizes the limitless power of the human mind.

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What’s the first picture that comes into your mind when you hear the word “Dubai”? I don’t know about you but for most people, it’s the image of Burj Khalifa — the iconic skyscraper that completely changed the way people perceive the Middle East, and especially the UAE.The Burj Khalifa tower is much more than just the world’s tallest building. For many people, it symbolizes the limitless power of the human mind. Back in the stone age, who’d have even thought that one-day humans would create a building that will rise above the clouds? With a staggering height of 2,717 ft. (828 m), 164 ft. (51.2 m) deep foundation, and the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, Burj Khalifa is no less than an architectural miracle. The building hosts an average of 35,000 residents on any given day, and it demands about 36 mW of electric power and 250,000 gallons of water daily.Even at the time of its construction, about 12,000 builders and contractors used to visit the site every day, and it took 22 million person-hours to complete the whole structure. The amount of concrete that was poured into Burj Khalifa’s foundation alone can fill 18 Olympic-size swimming pools. Plus, If you extract all the aluminum from Burj Khalifa, you would need five Airbus A 380 airlines to store the same, and by the way, A 380 is the world’s largest passenger airplane.  You can actually build a steel path extending to one-fourth of the Earth’s map from the 31,500 metric tons of steel used in making this 206-story skyscraper. Forget aluminum and steel, how does a person even travel inside such a massive building?Well, the answer is “lift”. There are 57 elevators and eight escalators in the building, and on top of that, the main service elevator works like a superhero. It travels at a speed of 29 ft. per second (10 m/s) and covers a distance long enough to make it the number one elevator in the world — in terms of both height and length to which an elevator travels.However, despite being loaded with all such uncanny features. Similar to any remarkable human creation, the Khalifa tower also takes its inspiration from mother nature. The wind-resistance design of Burj Khalifa has been taken from the spider lily, a flower that blooms at the peak of hurricane season.The Y-shaped design allows this uncanny skyscraper to face the most fierce winds gracefully and because of the spider-lily-like design, winds pass through the building without creating any vortex that could sway the structure.It does sway at the top by 6.5 ft (2 m), though, but as is the case with everything — nothing is perfect. Words will never be enough to express the grandeur of this architectural royalty. Some places are known by the people and some places are known for their culture, but for Dubai, it’s Burj Khalifa —- a glorious structure that embodies the height of human imagination and engineering.

Burj Khalifa is known for being the tallest building in the world, standing at 2,717 feet (828 m).

The Burj Khalifa tower is much more than just the world’s tallest building.

The Burj Khalifa: The World's Tallest Building

The basilica was designed by Gaudi to be bathed in natural light, and the stained glass windows and skylights inside create a beautiful and serene atmosphere.

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It is a dream for many devout Roman Catholics to visit places that are deemed sacred or with an affinity to the religion. The list most likely includes Jerusalem and the Vatican, where the pope resides. Aside from these religious sites, now included in the list is the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família or also known as the La Sagrada Familia.Located in Barcelona, Spain, this building is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church and is soon to be the largest once completed. This church is truly one of a kind and is very unique compared to other Roman Catholic churches built. Its overall design and architecture would truly be appreciated by anyone who can witness it in person, regardless of religion. The majestic structure was designed by Antoni Gaudi and its construction actually began in 1882 and is expected to be finished by 2026. Even if it would take more than 100 years to be completed, it is without a doubt, worth the wait due to the building’s intricate design.The building is estimated to reach 172 meters in height once it is completed. One of the features of La Sagrada Familia that quickly distinguishes it from other churches is its many towering spires. A total of 18 spires are needed to complete the design of the building. Four of the eighteen spires symbolize the four evangelists, twelve spires symbolize the apostles, one symbolizes the Virgin Mary, and the final spire in the middle, which is the tallest, symbolizes Jesus Christ. Over the years, computer technology was integrated into the building of the church in order to aid in the design process even after Gaudi died. Mark Burry and Jane Burry developed a mathematical system that allowed a geometric language to predict how Gaudi himself would have designed the remaining parts of the church. Later on, other technologies like robotics were also integrated into the building process such as the carving of stones, 3D printed scale models, and laser technologies.  There are a lot of reasons behind the delays in building the La Sagrada Familia. This includes certain events in history that actually halted and delayed the process, leading into the present time where its already been more than 100 years and is still under construction. In the absence of any major delays, the structure is said to be completed in time for Gaudi’s 100th death anniversary. Despite the unfinished status, people can still access the La Sagrada Familia and appreciate the beauty of its iconic build. Who knows how much more magnificent this structure will be once it is finished?

Despite the unfinished status, people can still access the La Sagrada Familia and appreciate the beauty of its iconic build.

Why is La Sagrada Familia Not Finished?

Did you know this is the most complicated building ever created?

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Planning already for the next travel destination? Should you plan to visit Asia, it would be nice to check out Singapore, one of the Asian Tigers of the continent. Singapore is home to several attractions starting from its world-class airport, the Merlion, the Botanic Garden, and more. But if you are into a luxurious lifestyle, entertainment, and fan of architecture, one thing that you shouldn’t miss when visiting the country is Marina Bay Sands.This marvelous structure is known for having three high-rise buildings with a huge boat-shaped structure on top. The Marina Bay Sands is actually an integrated resort owned by Las Vegas Sands Corporation and was designed by Safdie Architects. The design of the building is actually inspired by a house of cards. Two cards facing together form a triangle and laying another card flat on top of these two cards would create pressure to bend the two cards inward. This is the concept behind the three buildings of the resort which can be seen as three house cards connected by three flat cards on top, representing the boat-like structure. Marina Bay Sands has three 55-story towers with a boat-like sky park on top measured to be 1.2 hectares(12000.00 m²). It offers a different kind of experience from hotel rooms, casinos, museums, public spaces, and many more. It even houses the world’s largest infinity edge pool with a capacity of almost a million and a half liters of water. Aside from the luxurious experience this integrated resort provides its guests, it actually has a lot to offer from its architecture, engineering, and interior. The design was created to integrate the building according to Singapore’s dynamic urban city landscape. Initially, the plan was to create a single massive tower but was later changed to the current and iconic three-tower structure with a boat on top. The way that the Marina Bay Sands is structured allowed the pedestrian street to become the focal point of civic life. Several architectural integrations were also set in place as design solutions to some problems encountered while building, allowing it to become an engineering marvel. From the inside to the outside, the Marina Bay Sands is truly a breathtaking and iconic building. This beautiful structure should be on your list of places to visit if you ever plan on going to Singapore. Whether a fan of luxury or not, being able to see this building in person to appreciate it is already something not to miss.

The Marina Bay Sands dwells in Singapore and is the vocal point of the city. Its three towers stand tall and house many attractions.

Marina Bay Sands: An Engineering Marvel

Taipei 101 is a supertall skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan's Xinyi District. It stands 508 meters tall and has 101 storeys above ground and 5 levels below ground.

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If you have ever been to the city of Taipei in Taiwan, you can&#39;t miss this building. The Taipei 101 was actually the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2010 but remains to be the tallest building in Taiwan. This huge structure has a lot to offer from its amenities, commercial spaces, and public observatory, but what’s interesting about it is the engineering and architecture behind it. The Taipei 101 stands a total of 1671 feet (509m) with 101 floors and 5 basement levels. This skyscraper was built by KTRT Joint Venture and was designed by C.Y. Lee &amp; Partners. Aside from being such a tall building, what makes it stand out is its unique architectural design that actually took inspiration from ancient Chinese pagodas.The exterior of the building is made out of glass and aluminum panels that are positioned under a distinctive hexagonal pattern. If this wasn’t cool enough, the exterior can actually be programmed to display different color patterns with its LED lighting system. Just think about how cool this would look at nighttime and during special occasions like the new year’s celebration with fireworks all around. A skyscraper like this building definitely has a lot of floor levels. The Taipei 101 has a public observatory deck, which makes it a must-visit for tourists and locals alike to witness an outstanding panoramic view of the city. Located near the top of the building, one must think it might take a while in the elevator to reach the observatory but that’s not the case. The building actually has some fast elevators that could reach the observatory from the ground floor in just 37 seconds. Another thing that makes this building fascinating aside from its architecture is the system it has to maintain structural stability. The Taipei 101 houses a massive damper between the 88th and 92nd stories of the building. The purpose of this damper system is to combat earthquakes and strong winds that would otherwise cause the building to sway.The innovative damper system of the building is a 730-ton(730000.0 kg) gold-covered orb that swings like a pendulum in response to the forces of nature. It is a passive damping system that works using the natural movement of the building and gravitational force to minimize sway by 30 to 40 percent. There is a lot more about Taiwan’s tallest building that makes it iconic. Should you plan to visit the country’s capital city soon, don’t forget to check it out and be mesmerized by its beauty.

The building incorporates double-deck elevators built by the Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation.

The Wonders of Taipei 101: A Skyscraper Like No Other

Built in the 1930s to provide hydroelectric power and help control floods in the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam is a testament to human ingenuity and determination.

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One of the world’s most iconic builds is this dam on the border between Nevada and Arizona, United States of America. The Boulder dam has stood the test of time for almost a century. What didn’t however, was its name when 31st U. S president Herbert Hoover controversially renamed the dam, Hoover Dam. The multifaceted architectural marvel serves as a bridge over the Colorado river, providing power to the surrounding states and playing a role in controlling floods. Not only did it play a vital role in the conception of the world’s most famous desert city, Las Vegas, but the Hoover Dam also continues to generate enough power for 1.3 million people annually.Although the idea for the dam was incepted in one of the world’s worst economic crises, the Great Depression didn’t stop the US government from beginning construction in 1931. Such was the unprecedented level of complexity that companies needed to pool their resources to win the construction contract. The project also became a relief to the scores of people who set up camp next to the site for a chance to work on the dam- a sign of the desperation of the times. However, not all of these laborers would see the dam complete, with sources citing carbon monoxide poisoning and pneumonia to be the villain.Such an architectural feat did not come easy, however. The Colorado river bed is made up of loose sand and gravel and hence needed a solution for constructing the dam’s foundation to be devised. Workers dug down to reach solid rock atop which the foundation was then built. This is significant because the dam, designed to be a concrete art gravity dam, uses the weight of the concrete to hold the water back. Hence, five million barrels of cement needed to be used. The Hoover Dam serves more purposes than just holding back water and looking majestic while at it. In addition to housing a hydroelectric power plant, the dam provides irrigation water to the farmers in the southwest. Several innovative technologies were incorporated to make the dam efficient. The spillway designed to channel excess water away from the dam and prevent damage to its structure is a fine example. The dam’s timeless design is a testament to the optimism and progress of the time it was built; it is one of the most sought-after sights by engineering and architectural enthusiasts alike.

The Hoover Dam is more than 726 ft, or 221 m tall, and it is one of the tallest dams in the United States.

The Hoover Dam: an Engineering and Artistic Masterpiece

It is a big part of pop culture thanks to its many depictions in movies and today we are going to look at what makes this enormous building so special.

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Few pieces of Architecture have become symbols of the city they reside in; buildings that became part of pop culture, inspiring greats and mundane alike. One such building of this stature is the Empire State Building. As the population grew and space to construct new buildings became sparse, there was only one way to go- up. The economic boom of the 1920s fostered fierce competition between corporations based in New York for the bragging rights to the tallest building- in not just the city but also the world. Shreve, Lamb &amp; Harmon, an architectural firm based out of New York, decided to test the limits of modern architecture and to dethrone the then-tallest building, the Chrysler Building, standing at 1005 ft. The project on 34th street in Manhattan began in troubled times. Despite the world experiencing arguably the worst financial crises ever, Empire State Inc. soldiered on with construction, fearful of devastating losses if they stopped development. 41 million dollars of their money, equalling 595 million dollars today adjusted for inflation, resulted in the 1250 ft, 102-story skyscraper. A chaotic and rather unsafe work environment hosted 3500 workers who constructed the colossus in just 410 days, glimpses of which are found in the iconic frames of Lewis Hine. Such a building of this size came with its own set of problems. The challenge of providing water, power, and ventilation to all floors made the architects dedicate the center of the buildings to utilities alone. This space houses 73 elevators, permitting navigation to all corners of the building.Although construction finished in 1931, Empire State Inc. would not make profits until the 1950s, with the Great Depression and its ill effects leaving three-quarters of the office spaces in the building empty long after its opening. However, the group would continue to invest in improving the building, a practice that follows to date, with adaptations made to the building to suit changing times.An antenna was added in the ‘50s, topping the building at a staggering 1454 ft. The building has two state-of-the-art observation decks now- on the 86th and 102nd floors. An upgraded air condition system, “super windows” to minimize heat exchange, low-flow bathroom fixtures, and green cleaning supplies would bring the building into the 21st century.The skyscraper, originally intended as an office building, now brings 4 million visitors annually, generating 43 million dollars every year. Its significance, however, remains priceless, as is its iconic design and cultural relevance.

Built in 1931, the Empire State Building is one of the most memorable and recognizable parts of the New York skyline.

Its 1454 feet size and Art Deco architectural style makes it stand out among any other building in its vicinity.

The Empire State Building: From Office Building to Pop Culture Icon

One of the most impressive examples of eclectic architecture, Hagia Sophia is special in multiple ways. Here’s how. 

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The iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hagia Sophia – which means Holy Wisdom - in Istanbul has a layered past. Finished in the 6th century, it has gone through several looks and faiths. It was originally built as an Orthodox basilica that was later converted into a Catholic cathedral. It was then converted back into an Orthodox church before being changed to a mosque by the Ottomans, then into a historical museum before ultimately turning back into a mosque – its world-renowned final form.Thanks to its multi-faceted history, Hagia Sophia is the home of magnificent architectural work. Interestingly, when it was first built, it looked entirely different to what we associate with it today. In fact, two separate basilicas were built, demolished, and rebuilt on the site where Hagia Sophia now sits.Today, the mosque stands 180-feet tall, towering over the historic district of the city for over 15 centuries. Despite having had many iterations over the years, the structure’s historical and cultural importance still reign supreme. Going back in time, after the second basilica was burned down during the Nika Revolt, the plan was to build a third one at the cost of 4,000 Libra of gold, which roughly converts to 2,840 pounds of gold in the Imperial System. Materials from across the Byzantine Empire were brought over to be used in the construction. The marble floor, for instance, came from Anatolia, bricks for the walls were brought from North Africa, and some of the columns were rumored to have been taken from the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.It only took 10,000 workers five years and 10 months to complete its construction, which, if compared with St. Peter’s Basilica, is just a speck of time, as it took the latter 144 years to construct.Even though it was built rapidly, the basilica’s architecture and engineering were not rushed. Its colossal 108-foot dome gives the entire building room to breathe and is supported by four pendentives and two smaller semi-domes. The bottom of the main dome is surrounded by 40 arched windows, allowing light to cascade into the main nave, making the dome look like it is hovering above the structure.Fun fact: the dome also offers unique acoustics. Voices take a bassy tone when inside the building, as the building has an exceptionally long reverberation time. Hagia Sophia has a reverberation time of eight seconds, which is three times longer than most concert venues today.

Iconic Builds

EPISODES

Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadiums Are Engineering Feats

EPISODE 1

CopenHill: The Story of Iconic Clean Energy Plant With Its Own Ski Slope

EPISODE 2

The Burj Khalifa: The World's Tallest Building

EPISODE 3

Why is La Sagrada Familia Not Finished?

EPISODE 4

Marina Bay Sands: An Engineering Marvel

EPISODE 5

The Wonders of Taipei 101: A Skyscraper Like No Other

EPISODE 6

The Hoover Dam: an Engineering and Artistic Masterpiece

EPISODE 7

The Empire State Building: From Office Building to Pop Culture Icon

EPISODE 8

Hagia Sophia - A Mythical Masterpiece from a Bygone Era

EPISODE 9