In modern times, skyscrapers have become very common. National Skyscraper Day is a golden opportunity for people to appreciate these feats of engineering and architectural marvels. These huge buildings grace our big cities with their bold presence. They define our skylines with mighty buildings whose tops seem to scrape the sky.
Historically, there has always been a pursuit for heights. We can see that the architects are still pushing their creative skills to build something which would leave a mark on people’s minds. The examples are right in front of us- from the ancient pyramids to the skyscrapers that architects are building now.
What was the first skyscraper?
The term ‘skyscraper’ originated in the United States in the late 1880s. This was the time when there was a building boom in New York and Chicago. It has been just 130 years that we can see skyscrapers around us. The world’s first skyscraper was made in 1885 in Chicago. It was only 138 feet tall with a mere amount of 10 stories. If it was made in today’s times, it would not even count as a skyscraper. It was named the ‘Home Insurance Building’. But the name stuck around and initially any building towering high over the surrounding structures was dubbed as a skyscraper. However, this building did not last long and it was demolished in 1931. It was the same year when the Empire State Building in New York came up.
How are skyscrapers now?
With the advent of time, the engineers’ ability to construct skyscrapers improved drastically. Nowadays, a building must have at least 40 stories to be even classified as a skyscraper. Skyscrapers allow us to build upwards rather than outwards. It means that there can be 40 potent living spaces in one single area of land. This saves a lot of land in crowded urban areas where land space is at a premium.
When is National Skyscraper Day?
National Skyscraper Day is celebrated on 3rd September every year to make people memorize the skyscrapers in their towns or cities. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Louis H. Sullivan who is often called the ‘father of modern skyscrapers. Currently, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 2722 feet (828 meters), which includes the antennae. It is followed by the Shanghai Tower in China (632 meters), Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea (498 meters), the Empire State Building in New York (443 meters), and the Dongguan International trade Centre in Dongguan, China (427 meters).
Why do people love National Skyscraper Day?
Skyscrapers bring the prestige
Whenever there is a new skyscraper made that gets listed in the world’s tallest buildings, it creates a considerable amount of prestige for the city, state, or country where it is made. Skyscrapers actually define the skyline. From there, a city derives a lot of its unique personality and identity. A skyscraper marks a city’s economic prowess. Cities with more skyscrapers tend to see more business activity than cities with lower rooftops.
Their lofty top-down perspective
There is one thing in common among all skyscrapers- they are tall. A modern skyscraper has at least 40 floors with an elevator to climb it. So, it can provide some really unparallel view of the surrounding cityscape. As a person goes higher, the bustle on the ground looks smaller. If one sees the surroundings from the top of the tallest skyscraper, the people and huge cars, and other vehicles will look like tiny ants. If one is facing some problems in life or seeking a more big-picture outlook on life, a look down the top of a skyscraper can dismiss all their problems for some time.
They combine science and art
The official origins of National Skyscraper Day are unknown. However, it is clear that the skyscrapers are evidence of the awesomeness of humanity. Making these skyscrapers involve both art and science. They are massive projects that rely on heavy-duty science and the artistry of design in equal measure. Skyscrapers require the best architects who can beautifully design buildings that the city will proudly feature in its skyline for generations to come. But these buildings also rely on ingenious engineers who have the capability to turn architectural designs into a real-world plan of action founded on modern scientific principles.
