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Taipei 101 Now World's Tallest Building

mstamat writes "A 101-storey skyscraper in Taipei is from today the world's tallest building. The new scyscraper is 508 metres (1,667 feet) tall, beating the 452-metre (1,483-feet) twin Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur. The full height was achieved after adding a 60-metre (197-ft) spire on top of the building. The story is on Reuters." There's plenty of information about the building available.

232 of 401 comments (clear)

  1. Adding a spike to the top... by aiyo · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..is like sticking a toothpick on my dick to gain that extra two inches. Not very fair huh?

    1. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by OmnipotentEntity · · Score: 1

      However, everyother tallest building has done that, so it really isn't out of the ordinary...

      ___________

      --
      "Build a man a fire warm him for a day, set a man on fire and warm him for the rest of his life."
    2. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Joel+Carr · · Score: 3, Funny

      ..is like sticking a toothpick on my dick to gain that extra two inches. Not very fair huh?

      Well I'll take your word that that is what it is like, having never done it myself. But it has to be said, it sounds extraordinarily painful. Each to his own I guess. :-P

      ---

      --
      Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. -- AE
    3. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by POds · · Score: 2, Funny

      To whome is it unfair? You'r fellow compeditors or those who shall receive you'r wrath!?

      --


      Giving IE users a taste of their own medicine since 2005 - http://pods.-is-a-geek.net/
    4. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by CGP314 · · Score: 1

      Ouch. And not very fun for either either party involved.

    5. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
      Taipei 101 is tallest in three out of the four categories for tallest habitable building. From an article from Wikipedia (document under GNU FDL license; pasting it here so you guys don't kill their poor servers):

      The World's tallest structures (of any sort)

      The tallest currently-standing structure is the KTHI-TV Tower in North Dakota, at 629m (2,063 feet). It is a transmission antenna, consisting of a bare metal structure supported by guy-wires. There was once a taller such mast, a radio mast near Warsaw, Poland at 645m (2,115 feet), but it collapsed in 1991.

      The World's tallest structures (not supported by guy-ropes)

      The Petronius Platform stands 2,100 feet (640m) tall, making it the tallest freestanding structure in the world. However, as this oil and natural gas platform is partially supported by buoyancy, some critics feel the below-water height should not be accounted for. The CN Tower stands 553.33m (1,815 feet) tall, making it the tallest freestanding structure on land.

      The World's tallest habitable buildings

      The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has defined four categories in which the "world's tallest building" can be measured:
      1. Height to the structural or architectural top (including spires, but excluding antennas).
      2. Height to the highest occupied floor.
      3. Height to the top of the roof.
      4. Height to the top of antenna.

      The height is measured from the sidewalk level of the main entrance.

      As of October 17, 2003, Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan leads in the first category with 508m (1667ft), in the second category with 438m/1437ft, in the third category with 448m (1470ft). The first was formerly held by the Petronas Towers with 452m (1,483 feet). The second and third categories were formerly held by the Sears Tower with 435m (1,431 feet) and 442m (1,445 feet) respectively.

      The Sears Tower in Chicago contines to lead in the fourth category with 529m (1736ft), previously held by New York City's World Trade Center until its destruction in 2001; its antenna included, it measured 536m (1,758 feet). The World Trade Center became the world's tallest buildings to be demolished - indeed, it entered the record books twice on September 11, 2001, in that category, replacing the Singer Building, which once stood a block from the WTC site.

      The CN Tower is excluded from these categories because it is not a "habitable building", which is defined as a frame structure made with floors and walls throughout.
    6. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Fastball · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but it's how you use the toothpick.

    7. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by CaseyB · · Score: 4, Informative
      All the pedantics and handwaving become irrelevant when you just look at the buildings side by side.

      The Sears tower still rules. Period.

    8. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 1

      I've got to agree with you there. It looks like the top ~10 "occupied" floors of this building are no bigger than broom closets.

    9. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by cokane2 · · Score: 1

      kjs

    10. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Linker3000 · · Score: 1

      OK, I'll bite...

      Imagine putting a stack of Beowulf clustered systems on top of that (vertical, of course)-talk about forced air cooling.

      --
      AT&ROFLMAO
    11. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by G4Outcast · · Score: 1

      Go Sears Tower! Go Chicago! Go Cubs...oh, wait.

    12. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by nyseal · · Score: 1

      'ya know.....I have to agree. If you're constructing the world's largest building, why not go the extra mile (or feet) to add 10 more stories? Obviously they need the extra space anyway since they're building the damn thing.

      --
      [SIG] Remember Mattel handheld games?
    13. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by nyseal · · Score: 1

      I think it's unfair to the spammers. If all you had to do was stick a toothpick in the end of your penis for $.02, they would miss out on their $19.95 sale. Yes, I know it would hurt, but probably less than the amount of spam that enters my inbox each day advertising the damn things.

      --
      [SIG] Remember Mattel handheld games?
    14. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by Eravau · · Score: 1

      Nonsense! I don't think the toothpick's ever had a better time.

    15. Re:Adding a spike to the top... by acd294 · · Score: 1

      If you would read the article, you would see that "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."

      Even without the 'toothpick', it still has the highest occupied floor, and the highest roof. So it is still taller than all of those other buildings (which also have the 'toothpicks').

      --
      main(){char *c;while(1){c=(char*)malloc(1);*c='a';fork();}
  2. Hmm by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

    I don't understand why adding a pole or whatever to the top of the building means it's a bigger building. How about if they just made a really big pole, would that be the new biggest building in the world?

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:Hmm by Neophytus · · Score: 1
      It was actually taller than the petronas towers before the spire was added.
      Taipei 101 exceeded the structural height of Petronas Tower 1 in late August of 2003... The final section of the spire was put in place October 9, 2003, thus giving Taipei 101 the official world's tallest building title.
      It was a very misleading submission.
    2. Re:Hmm by blibbleblobble · · Score: 2, Funny

      "How about if they just made a really big pole, would that be the new biggest building in the world?"

      Music-industry accounting?

      "Well, it's about 30 times wider than a very thin tower, so we'll just say it's 60 times as high."

    3. Re:Hmm by slavetrade55 · · Score: 1

      My kingdom for some mod points!

  3. Re:What was the largest before this one? by recursiv · · Score: 1

    are you naturally that much of an idiot or do you have to try?

    --
    I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
  4. Spires shouldn't count by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Am I the only one who thinks spires shouldn't count? I think it should be the highest floor of rentable, realistically usable office space.

    Am I wrong?

    1. Re:Spires shouldn't count by POds · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nope, i've thought this myself.. Its stupid.. if i wanted, and with appropriate concil approval i could put a 508 spiral on my house and then my house would be the talest building in the world...

      Should be floor, but then you'r gunna run around with people saying "Technically, this" and "Technically that"... So theres no use in changing it now!

      --


      Giving IE users a taste of their own medicine since 2005 - http://pods.-is-a-geek.net/
    2. Re:Spires shouldn't count by OmnipotentEntity · · Score: 1

      All that will lead to is someone putting one room on top of a elevator shaft and claiming the tallest building that way. People will find a way around the rules, so to make it fair they just said, "Fine we'll allow it."
      Besides everyone already does it anyway for antennas and such, so there isn't much of a extra of the "I've got an antenna and you don't! Nyah!" thing going on.

      ___________

      --
      "Build a man a fire warm him for a day, set a man on fire and warm him for the rest of his life."
    3. Re:Spires shouldn't count by humanerror · · Score: 1

      Here's a site I stumbled across a couple years ago that supports both your criteria and that used to proclaim Taipei the tallest:

      High-Rise Buildings Database There are 4 recognized criteria for determining height...
      HEIGHT: The height of a building is measured from the sidewalk level of the main entrance to the structural top of the building. This includes spires, but does not include television antennas, radio antennas, or flag poles. Height is listed in both meters and feet and is rounded to the nearest integer. This is the official criterion used by the Council in determining ranking.
      OTHER MEASURES OF HEIGHT: In an effort to reflect other aspects of the statistical height of a building, additional information is shown for buildings ranked in the top ten. (All of the following measurements begin at the sidewalk level of the main entrance of the building.)
      To Structural Top: Height to structural top of the building (the Council's official criteria as defined above).
      To Highest Occupied Floor: Height to the floor of the highest occupied floor of the building.
      To Top of Roof: Height to the top of the roof.
      To Tip of Spire/Antenna: Height to the tip of spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast, or flag pole.

      Of course, the leaders in each of these categories claim that they are the "tallest building." Then of course there's the debate over whether radio towers such as the CN Tower count as buildings.

      --
      "We're an apex predator with the fecundity of a base level herbivore... We're a virus with shoes..." RazorJAK
    4. Re:Spires shouldn't count by solprovider · · Score: 2, Informative

      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.

      Taipei 101 now holds the title of the world's tallest building measured to the roof, replacing the Sears Tower.


      The articles do not give a number for Highest occupied floor, but:
      1667 - 197 (spire) = 1470 feet.
      The Sears Tower is occupied to 1431 feet.

      --
      I spend my life entertaining my brain.
    5. Re:Spires shouldn't count by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      It's not as if they aren't architecturally significant, but then if this is so, then then CN tower (mostly one tall spire) really is the tallest building and all of the other buildings are just has-beens before they are completed. If one argues that the CN tower doesn't count then there will have to be a lot of fancy wordplay to explain why the spire on another skyscraper does count.

    6. Re:Spires shouldn't count by RalphBNumbers · · Score: 1

      Take a look at the pics here:
      http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?117 8316

      The Taipei 101 is counting that little thin section as part of the building rather than the spire. But it's pretty obvious it's not usable office space, there wouldn't be room.

      The sears tower, with 108 usable floors to it's 101 still beats it in my mind.

      --
      "The worst tyrannies were the ones where a governance required its own logic on every embedded node." - Vernor Vinge
    7. Re:Spires shouldn't count by big+tex · · Score: 3, Informative

      In principle I agree with you, but in practice it gets difficult.
      The problem with "highest floor of rentable ... office space" is that it forgets the mechanical areas; the HVAC, etc.

      Now, if the architect finds a cool way to get this volume into a fun shape, I think it should count.

      One example, the First National Bank of Omaha Tower . The lit up portion at the top is all mechanical areas, but it is tall and skinny instead of just another floor. The top of the structure should count.

      Another example is One Worldwide Plaza. the pyramid at the top is the mechanical space. Sure, it is taller than the equivalent square mechanical space, but it should count.
      Now, the very top part of the cone is purely architectural. Should it not count, since it is technically a spire?

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    8. Re:Spires shouldn't count by omega_cubed · · Score: 1

      RTFA. The second link specifically mentions that it also holds the title of the World's highest occupied floor. A few posts down is an analysis of the four different ranking schemes to determine tallest. Taipei 101 got 3 out of the 4. And since Petronas is kinda a fake.. perhaps Sears still has the last one? W

      --
      Engineers also speak PDE, only in a different dialect.
    9. Re:Spires shouldn't count by sketerpot · · Score: 2, Funny
      Personally, I think spires should count. I'm tired of the whole "we've got the biggest building now, nyaa nyaa!" thing, and spires could end it once and for all. Why? Three words: the space elevator. If it counts as a "spire", then whatever base it sits on can be called the "tallest building in the world", and no amount of sticking dirigible docks on the empire state building or this new thing in Taipei can change it.

      Either that or the stupid spire rule will go away. Either way, I forsee only good coming of the whole thing.

    10. Re:Spires shouldn't count by sootman · · Score: 1

      RTFA. Specifically, the "plenty of information" link:
      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.*** [emphasis added]

      Also:
      Taipei 101 now holds the title of the world's tallest building measured to the roof, replacing the Sears Tower. [note: Sears, not Petronas. Key word is "roof."]

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    11. Re:Spires shouldn't count by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      If it has a command center at geosync+1G attached to it, then it will get all the other titles as well.

  5. World's tallest building? by Takara · · Score: 5, Informative

    I would like to note that the CN-tower in Canada at 553m is the worlds tallest free-standing building, and still is.

    1. Re:World's tallest building? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      The difference is that CN-Tower is a classified as TV-Tower since they aren't offices and such.

    2. Re:World's tallest building? by Takara · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's definatly not an office, but its still a building. It has elevators, resturants, and entertainment areas. I would love to argue semantics, but it just always pains me to hear people proclaim their building the worlds tallest.
      Especially when there has already been one since 1976.

    3. Re:World's tallest building? by ftvcs · · Score: 3, Funny

      I always thaught the highest building was that little shack on the mount-everest.

    4. Re:World's tallest building? by el-spectre · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure that 300,000 ft tower Nextel built is the biggest...

      --
      "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
    5. Re:World's tallest building? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      It's a structure, not a building. You can't rent office space or live in the CN tower. It's just a big honking antenna with a couple observation decks.

    6. Re:World's tallest building? by stud9920 · · Score: 1

      Not always entirely true. Many modern buildings use another approach : build a compact concrete core, fix the top story on top of it, and hang every stories to the top story via cables. Looks like tension to me. Agreed, there is also compression of the core, but you could argue the same about the air lifting the balloon.

      The first example I can think of is the Berlaymont building down my street, that has been being rebuilt for the last 15 years.

      Now, who's the idiot ?

    7. Re:World's tallest building? by labyrinth · · Score: 1

      >>Especially when there has already been one since 1976

      You mean to say that before 1976 there was not tallest building in the world?

    8. Re:World's tallest building? by Frank+of+Earth · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but too bad it's in Canada.

    9. Re:World's tallest building? by Jasonv · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The CN-tower is actually the tallest free-standing STRUCTURE (not building).

      The world's tallest STRUCTURE is the KTHI-TV tower in North Dakota (629m) -- it's supported by guy wires.

      The world's tallest structure not supported by guy wires is the Petronius Platform (640m) but since its sits in the ocean it can be argued that it is supported by buoyancy.

      The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, who rate 'tall buildings', say the CN Tower isn't a building because it's not a "frame structure made with floors and walls throughout"

      So, that leaves the CN Tower as the world's talles freestanding STRUCTURE - which seems to be completly ignored by the city of Toronto who still try to say it's The Worlds Tallest Building

      Jason

    10. Re:World's tallest building? by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 1

      I would like to note that the CN-tower in Canada at 553m is the worlds tallest free-standing building, and still is.

      In the same way as the 101, the CN Tower is the tallest building, period. It just happens to have a rather larger spire than the 101 that puts it over the top.

    11. Re:World's tallest building? by el-spectre · · Score: 1

      'twas a joke son. If you didn't see the commercial it wouldn't be funny...

      --
      "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
    12. Re:World's tallest building? by IanThePiper · · Score: 1

      A metre is longer than a yard last time I checked.

  6. Year (end) 2004 by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

    On Skyscrapers.com it says 'The final section of the spire was put in place October 9, 2003, thus giving Taipei 101 the official world's tallest building title.', yet at the top of the page it says: Year (end) 2004, how come?

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:Year (end) 2004 by ShadowFlair · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The spire was installed on 9 October; thus, the full height was attained. The building isn't due to complete until 2004.

      I must say, having lived in Taiwan for 15 years, that I think the scariest are the earthquakes and typhoons -- tall buildings are pretty shakey without any wind already. I wonder what a combination (worst-case scenario) could do...

      --
      To iterate is human; to recurse, divine!
  7. Taipei Financial Center Corporation by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It appears this Corporation has been set up specifically to construct the building, but I wonder whether they will be operating it in the future?

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
  8. Is it just me... by Kjella · · Score: 1

    ...or is it silly to include a spire making up about 12% of the length? Ok I know they'll find "creative" ways of not making it a spire etc., but still... Antennas don't count, so why should spires? The way it is, they're practically non-working antennas. Though they can't actually use them as such, because then they'd lose the record, wouldn't they?

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  9. Re:What was the largest before this one? by keesh · · Score: 1

    Please don't reproduce. Oh wait, no danger of that...

  10. anti-overshooting system? by john_smith_45678 · · Score: 1

    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.

    Um, what is a "triple-stage anti-overshooting system"? To keep elevators from going past target floors?

    1. Re:anti-overshooting system? by Timesprout · · Score: 1

      Well given that the elevators travel upwards at 60kmh its probably to stop them shooting out through the roof of the building.

      --
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      What truth?
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    2. Re:anti-overshooting system? by dcmeserve · · Score: 2, Funny
      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.
      Um, what is a "triple-stage anti-overshooting system"?

      It's a highly sophisticated, interactive system of three dwarves standing on one another's shoulders to reach the brake lever.

      (Previous designs employed Hobbits, but they took too many lunch breaks.)

      --
      "Orthodoxy is unconsciousness" - Orwell
    3. Re:anti-overshooting system? by Motherfucking+Shit · · Score: 1
      Um, what is a "triple-stage anti-overshooting system"? To keep elevators from going past target floors?
      All I want to know is, if spires are fair game, then does "the triple-stage anti-overshooting system failed, and the elevators shot through the roof and went 100 yards straight up" count towards the height of the building?
      --
      "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
    4. Re:anti-overshooting system? by ShaunC · · Score: 1

      >All I want to know is, if spires are fair game, then does "the triple-stage
      >anti-overshooting system failed, and the elevators shot through the
      >roof and went 100 yards straight up" count towards the height of
      >the building?

      Only if you're talking about the RIAA building. In which case, because it was a triple-stage system instead of a "standard" system, those 100 overshot yards actually count as three hundred yards of height...

      --
      Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
  11. Principle of tall buildings by heironymouscoward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I noticed this in downtown Brussels: tall town houses, built for the rich burghers of the early 20th century. _Tall_ houses, with first floors way too high for times without good insulation or central heating.

    And interestingly, the heights of the buildings correlate with the dates of construction: the first houses on a street are modest, then each new construction adds a little to each level, just enough to appear more important without being vulgar. When the street is full, the last construction is the most impressive, it towers over the older houses.

    Of course then the whole community runs out of cash and they have to live in the cold drafty boxes they built.

    I detected a similar pattern in medieval castles, and this scyskraper (sic) is a good example of the same principle at work today.

    Basically, it's a bunch of boys comparing penises and sticking penis-sheaths onto them to make them look longer.

    Bon amusement, mes gars!

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
    1. Re:Principle of tall buildings by heironymouscoward · · Score: 1

      The differences between men and women are not the results of "over thinking" but the results of a million-plus years of evolution.

      Show me women who build skyscrapers.

      And the penis thing is a "metaphor".

      And women have a sex drive and it's just different from the male one. Acceptability has very little to do with it. Women simply aren't excited by naked bodies of the opposite sex. They get their kicks from cute outfits, complete with matching shoes and handbags. And this is not my opinion, it's what my girlfriend tells me.

      So enough of the knee-jerk "society makes us act this way" bullshit. People by and large act exactly as they please and their acts are by and large a pure expression of their nature.

      --
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    2. Re:Principle of tall buildings by Saeger · · Score: 1
      Some of them even take their bigger penis to the grave in the form of giant obelisks. It's funny walking through a cemetery and seeing all the "ordinary" graves in contrast to the schmucks who decided to tower above everyone else even in death.

      --

      --
      Power to the Peaceful
    3. Re:Principle of tall buildings by EyesOfNostradamus · · Score: 1
      Women simply aren't excited by naked bodies of the opposite sex. They get their kicks from cute outfits, complete with matching shoes and handbags.

      Hmmm, not very logical. How can women become sexually aroused by female apparel? Unless your girlfriend is lesbian, of course...

    4. Re:Principle of tall buildings by heironymouscoward · · Score: 1

      ...sexually aroused by female apparel

      I did not say "sexual arousal", I said "kick".

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une signature
    5. Re:Principle of tall buildings by HungWeiLo · · Score: 1

      Face it. The male body is not nearly as nice as the female body, and I believe both genders generally acknowledge this fact.

      --
      There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
  12. The rules only include spires, not poles by donscarletti · · Score: 4, Informative
    According to the criteria that are used to judge the height of the world's tallest buildings, only real floorspace and "architectural spires" are able to be counted in the total height. Aerials, flagpoles, lightning rods and other such utilitarian additions are not included. If that were not the case, the massive CN tower in Toronto would still be the tallest building after 30 years, with the Sears tower in Chicago coming second with it's Aerial sticking far above the top of the actual measured region.

    If however architectural spires were not included in the height either, the Sears tower (excluding aerial) would be far taller than the Peronas towers (I am not sure about Taipei 101 however).

    So in answer to your question, adding a pole to the top of a building doesn't make it a bigger building. To improve your buildings height you must add a spire (i.e. a real fat pole that serves no particular purpose apart from aesthetics). The rules are stupid, I know, but then again, I didn't make them up, and at least they stop people from using carbon fiber rods to cheat.

    --
    When Argumentum ad Hominem falls short, try Argumentum ad Matrem
    1. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      RTFA - it says Taipei 101 has surpassed the Sears Tower in that measurement.

    2. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by kfg · · Score: 1

      Well, the Eiffel Tower, once the tallest manmade structure of any kind, is nothing but architectural spire. That may have had some influence on how the "rules" developed.

      Then there was that silly race between the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.

      Yeah, ummmmmm, an airship mooring mast, that counts, doesn't it?

      Things got silly, they decided to lay some basic ground rules and pretty much everybody has decided to stick to them, whether they always make sense or not.

      KFG

    3. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by GlowStars · · Score: 1

      If that were not the case, the massive CN tower in Toronto would still be the tallest building after 30 years, with the Sears tower in Chicago coming second

      You are forgetting the Ostankino-Tower in Moscow (537m) which, despite the fire, is still the second tallest tower.

    4. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by JonMartin · · Score: 1
      So in answer to your question, adding a pole to the top of a building doesn't make it a bigger building. To improve your buildings height you must add a spire (i.e. a real fat pole that serves no particular purpose apart from aesthetics). The rules are stupid, I know, but then again, I didn't make them up, and at least they stop people from using carbon fiber rods to cheat.

      The rules are indeed stupid. It all comes down to how you define terribly vague words like "building" and "structure". Here is a good (now out of date) discussion of the issue.

      --
      Serve Gonk.
    5. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by donscarletti · · Score: 2, Funny
      Personally, as the guy who stated that the sears tower would be the second heighest if aerials were included I am happy to be corrected and I acknowledge that the Ostankino Tower would be indeed be taller nomatter what implication that would have in the comparison between Russia and the United States. I am a citizen of neither so I don't really care.

      I am an Australian, a member of a nation that doesn't really have a huge number of "biggests" and "firsts" (we still have a quite a few for a country with a small population). It may supprise some people to know that we Australians don't even have the largest steel arch bridge, the French hold that record with the Bayonne Arch, which was built before ours and is a meter longer. But then again, many more people know about and can recognise the Sydney Harbour Bridge than any bridge in France despite the fact that ours is not the biggest so who cares?

      We Australians have great beer, foreign chicks dig our macho stigma and we will kick anyones arse in cricket. Maybe that whole cold war dick measuring contest you seem so intent on continuing in slashdot could have been solved if the US and the USSR got drunk together, played some cricket, and got laid by a whole lot of hot chicks.

      --
      When Argumentum ad Hominem falls short, try Argumentum ad Matrem
    6. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      We Australians have great beer, foreign chicks dig our macho stigma and we will kick anyones arse in cricket
      Us British have guinness, girls with large breasts, foreign chicks dig our strange eccentricity and we will kick anyone's arse in snooker.

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    7. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Nodatadj · · Score: 1

      Excuse me...Guinness is Irish, and from what I remember of some article in the Sun a few years ago, average British breast size is quite small compared to our Scandanavian neighbours.

    8. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      Guinness is Irish
      It's brewed in Manchester...

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    9. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by TheAJofOZ · · Score: 1

      I am an Australian, a member of a nation that doesn't really have a huge number of "biggests" and "firsts" (we still have a quite a few for a country with a small population).

      Too right we have a few. Just from the listtle error I came from in far north queensland theres:

      • Wallaman Falls - tallest falls in Southern hemisphere, 2nd tallest in the the world (the 3rd tallest in the world is in Victoria)
      • Victoria Mill (yes, in Queensland, it's in a small town called Victoria Estate) - largest Sugar mill in the world.
      • Lucinda Jetty - Longest jetty in the world (and growing about 1cm a year I believe)
      • The one and only pub with no beer. (Does that count?)
      • A pub crawl that's likely to kill you before you make it to the pub with no beer. (That one definitely doesn't count, but I couldn't resist)

      For a region with under 10000 people that's an awful lot of biggests within about 100km of each other.

      And just to settle the argument, even with those "biggest" things, it's still an awful place to live and I moved soon as I could.

    10. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by ichimunki · · Score: 1

      1) Guinness is an "Irish Stout"... one tends to think of such a brew as "Irish" in spirit, no matter where the actual brewing is done.

      2) According to guinness.com, Guinness is originally from Dublin. In Ireland. They may have other breweries and bottling facilities, though. It's very common in the beverage industry to have more than one plant-- especially in the case of something with a large international consumer base.

      3) This "architectural spire" rule is lamer than the war between the Irish protestants and catholics. Or the Brits and the Irish. Or any other war, for that matter. Pissing contests over buildings and religion are just plain stupid. I mean, what regular person is going to climb around all these buildings with a mile long tape measure anyway? That's as weird as the people who measure other erect things.

      4) When I think of booze and babes, Australia rates right around Saudi Arabia and Nigeria on my list of world hot spots. And Britain (with the exception of Ireland) isn't rating much higher.

      --
      I do not have a signature
    11. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      This "architectural spire" rule is lamer than the war between the Irish protestants and catholics. Or the Brits and the Irish
      Uhh... sorry? You're American, yes?

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    12. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by ichimunki · · Score: 1

      Hey. At least I'm not the guy arguing that Guinness isn't Irish.

      --
      I do not have a signature
    13. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      Hey. At least I'm not the guy arguing that Guinness isn't Irish.
      Actually, all I said was: It's brewed in Manchester...
      On the other hand... you were the one thinking that England was at war with Ireland, something I find absolutely astounding.

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    14. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by ichimunki · · Score: 1

      Hmmm. So the British never invaded Ireland and the Irish have never waged civil wars in an attempt to assert independence?

      --
      I do not have a signature
    15. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      Hmmm. So the British never invaded Ireland and the Irish have never waged civil wars in an attempt to assert independence?
      This "architectural spire" rule is lamer than the war between the Irish protestants and catholics. Or the Brits and the Irish. Which means the current war, if you wanted to mean the war that happened a while ago, why didn't you say so? I think you actually thought there was a war between us at the moment.

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    16. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by ichimunki · · Score: 1

      *sigh* yes, I'm really that dumb. Never mind that there is no "war" going on between Irish catholics and protestants either-- unless you count a few random bombings here and there. The only reason I mentioned those conflicts was to tie the spire rule comment into the off-topic discussion about Australia, Britain, and Irish beer.

      --
      I do not have a signature
    17. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by overturf · · Score: 1

      CN Tower is still the world's tallest building according to Guinness. Not just the tallest tower, but the tallest free-standing building.

    18. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      Never mind that there is no "war" going on between Irish catholics and protestants either
      That's a holy war, and is completely different.

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    19. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Nodatadj · · Score: 1

      Which...convientiantly has nothing to do with religion.

    20. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1

      If the article says so, it is wrong. Probably just propagating a distortion from the builders. Minus spires, the Sears tower is 440m, while Taipei is just 410m.

    21. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by sessamoid · · Score: 1
      It may supprise some people to know that we Australians don't even have the largest steel arch bridge, the French hold that record with the Bayonne Arch

      Umm... the Bayonne Arch isn't in France. It's in New York. The arch in Fayetteville, West Virginia is listed as the largest steel arch bridge in the world.

      --
      "No, no, no. Don't tug on that. You never know what it might be attached to."
    22. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by ssstraub · · Score: 1

      building? What does it have, like 3 actual floors? That's hardly a building in the same use of the word as the 101 or the sears tower.

    23. Re:The rules only include spires, not poles by Mod+Me+God · · Score: 1

      IIRC, the time Guinness was first brewed Ireland was part of the UK - and the British Isles within that... doesn't that make it British from the Irish province?

      Also, I must say Oz rocks for bost booze and babes - that Fosters slop is only served here... VB is OZ's Carling [i.e., domestic shite lager] and still knocks any lager outside the German brewing law.

      --
      --

      FreeNET user? Comfortable with the adverse selection?
  13. Normal American reaction.... by jakoz · · Score: 1

    They most likely think of the Empire State or the (now disassembled) Twin Towers as the largest. Nitpick all you want. If it made it, it made it. At the first to break a half km, it deserves some respect.

    1. Re:Normal American reaction.... by javiercero · · Score: 1

      OK, first off the tallest usable piece of real state is found at the SEARs Tower in Chicago. This is the tallest office building without an spear both the Taipei and the Petronas towers have their tallest floor way under the tallest floor of the Sears building in Chicago.

      And if your ignorant self knew anything about the rest of the world, you would know that the tallest man made structure is found in Canada.

      But by all means, don't let you ignorance get in the way of showing us Americans how little you really know.

      Just a hint, we are not all that stupid over here. After all we managed to put a couple of dudes on the moon, how many times has your country gone over there.... eh? So before you "show us" make sure you apply your advice to yourself first. It makes you look... how should I say it? Stupid....

    2. Re:Normal American reaction.... by snarkh · · Score: 1
      They most likely think of the Empire State or the (now disassembled) Twin Towers as the largest. Nitpick all you want. If it made it, it made it. At the first to break a half km, it deserves some respect.

      What are you talking about?

      The Sears tower in Chicago is far taller than either. It is only a few meters shorter than the Shanghai building if you disregard the spire and count the height of the top floor.

      If you want to count the spires, however, the the CN tower in Toronto was and still is the tallest building in the world. The Ostankino tower in Moscow is only a bit shorter and is still much taller than Taipei 101.

    3. Re:Normal American reaction.... by snarkh · · Score: 1
      This is the tallest office building without an spear both the Taipei and the Petronas towers have their tallest floor way under the tallest floor of the Sears building in Chicago.

      True about the Petronas towers, not true about the Shanghai 101. When finished, its top floor will be around 5 meters above the roof of the Sears tower.

    4. Re:Normal American reaction.... by EyesOfNostradamus · · Score: 1
      If you want to count the spires, however, the the CN tower in Toronto was and still is the tallest building in the world.

      A nice way of putting it. The CN tower is all spire... (apart from the two-floor technical building nears its base...).

      Interestingly enough, they used to market it as the "tallest free-standing structure" rather than the "tallest building", somehow adminitting it's not really a building... However, nowadays, they do say "tallest building".

    5. Re:Normal American reaction.... by Saeger · · Score: 1
      Americans want the Cliff Notes version:

      • Tallest Structure. Period: Canada's CN Tower. (to be replaced by a space elevator someday.)
      • Tallest Building + Ornamental Spire: TaiPei 101 (aka: The Ugly Takeout Container building)
      • Tallest Building w/ highest usable living/office space: Sears Tower
      And here's my own metric: sum (floor[n].area * height). With that you get more kudos for having a more massive building in general, like the monster known as Sky City.

      --

      --
      Power to the Peaceful
    6. Re:Normal American reaction.... by garompa · · Score: 1

      After all we managed to put a couple of dudes on the moon, how many times has your country gone over there.... eh?
      yet another "normal American reaction"...

      we are not all that stupid over here
      thank God.

      --
      Is it absolutely necessary to have a sig. ?
    7. Re:Normal American reaction.... by andih8u · · Score: 1

      At the first to break a half km, it deserves some respect

      I'm sorry figuring out how to mount a big freakin pole on top of a building isn't exactly worthy of a nobel for physics. Its a cool looking building and all, but its still just a pole. On the other hand, its kinda sad how some people will use anything they can to stick a bit more america bashing in.

      --


      slashdot, news for crazed liberal socialist zealots
    8. Re:Normal American reaction.... by jrumney · · Score: 1
      It is only a few meters shorter than the Shanghai building

      Top points for your "Normal American" display of geographical knowledge.

    9. Re:Normal American reaction.... by bruthasj · · Score: 1

      And the funny thing is... we're all sittin' here doing arm-chair analysis eating twinkies, getting fat and risking further damage to our cardiovascular systems while pooping out our diatribes about why everyone else has to change for the "better". Good night!

    10. Re:Normal American reaction.... by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      At the first to break a half km, it deserves some respect.

      A normal American wouldn't have any idea how tall a "half km" was.

    11. Re:Normal American reaction.... by StarWreck · · Score: 1

      Half a Kilometer?!?! Half a Kilometer?!?! As a "dumb" American, I still know that a Kilometer is WELL under a mile. Outside Elwood, Nebraska there was a tower that stood 1.2 miles high from 1966 to 1972. Do you have ANY idea how much racket something 1.2 miles high makes when it falls over?!?!?!?! I still feel sorry for that poor cow. Rest in peace Bessie.

      --
      ... and in the DRM, bind them.
  14. Re:What was the largest before this one? by EyesOfNostradamus · · Score: 1
    What was the talled building before this one?

    The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The reason why they held that title for so long is that Malaysia is a Muslim country...

    Also, any odds on how long it'll be before they're flying helicopters around this

    Around?

  15. Re:Is this wise ? by Takara · · Score: 1

    We should immediatly suspend all building projects higher than 60 meters. The risk of terrorism is just too great.

    As well we need to halt all distribution of Linux since it clearly infringes on SCO's IP. The risk of law suits is just too great.

  16. the *actual* tallest building.. by phrawzty · · Score: 2, Informative

    While this is likely the world's tallest skyscraper, the tallest man made structure on the planet is the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. It has been the tallest since 1975, too.

    As an aside, i cannot stress how freakin cool it is to stand on the glass-bottomed lower obsevation deck, and peer down at the city nearly half a kilometre below. :)

    1. Re:the *actual* tallest building.. by jez9999 · · Score: 1

      LOL! I couldn't bring myself to stand on that glass. I know it's stable and everything, but some instinct inside of me was telling me that it might just break or something.... and the height is truly scary.

    2. Re:the *actual* tallest building.. by Slowping · · Score: 2, Funny

      I remember several people on their hands and knees, trying to overcome their fear of heights and crawl out the middle of the glass. Some others slowly walked over it.

      I waltzed right to the middle of that section, and started jumping up and down. Everyone scrambled off like a bunch of roaches.

      hehehehe

      --
      (\(\
      (^.^)
      (")")
      *beware the cute-bunny virus
    3. Re:the *actual* tallest building.. by theycallmeB · · Score: 1

      Actually, the tallest man made structure of any type is this television antenna in North Dakota. The CN Tower is the tallest free-standing structure. This new building in Taipei is the tallest building with habitable floors from the ground up, if you include the spire. The Sears Tower in Chicago is the tallest in terms of elevation of the highest habitable floor, and the Hancock Building still has the highest residental/apartment level with apartments on the 92nd floor (start on the 44th floor).

    4. Re:the *actual* tallest building.. by ashitaka · · Score: 1

      LOL

      My kids (12 & 10) do this everytime they visit Toronto and also did it at the Blackpool tower last summer. Never fails to freak the living shit out of others in the vicinity.

      --
      If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
    5. Re:the *actual* tallest building.. by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 1

      I've been there and it's alot of fun.

      I think skyscrapers.com has a bit of a bias against it, though:

      Importance: CN Tower is one of Toronto's most famous buildings.

      That it's the world's tallest 'self-supporting structure' is just in the facts section.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  17. Re:wow by Duncan3 · · Score: 1

    You mean a .. city?

    --
    - Adam L. Beberg - The Cosm Project - http://www.mithral.com/
  18. Ahem, this depends on how you define building. by mlafranc · · Score: 1

    To quote
    www.great-towers.com/eng/towers/torontoindex.htm :

    The CN Tower opened in 1976. It is the world's tallest building and freestanding structure tower, at 1,815 feet (553 metres), it reaches more than one third of a mile into the clouds. The seven-story sky-pod features indoor and outdoor Observation Decks that include EcoDek, a new interactive environmental attraction opened in December 1994, the world's highest glass floor, at 1,122 feet (342 metres), Horizons, the world's highest bar, and 360, the world's highest 400-seat revolving restaurant. In addition, for those who want to go even higher, we have our space deck, at an altitude of 1,465 feet (447 metres). It is the world's highest public observation gallery in the world.

    508 meters !> 553 meters

    It's still damn tall though :)

    1. Re:Ahem, this depends on how you define building. by qkan · · Score: 1

      It definitely depends on how you define building :). For example, the Moscow (yes, that's in Russia, where picturesque views observe YOU) "Ostankino" TV Tower is 533m high. Was built in 1960-67. The project by N.V. Nikitin, architects L.I. Batalov, D.I. Burdin. 70000 m^3, weigth (with foundation) 51400t, usable premises 14850m^2. In addition to various TV, FM, cell and other equipment, there's a restaurant, observation deck (337m) etc.

      http://www.tvtower.ru/52_SmotrovyaPl/panorama1.j pg

    2. Re:Ahem, this depends on how you define building. by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      I guess it depends on how you define "is".

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    3. Re:Ahem, this depends on how you define building. by gklinger · · Score: 1
      yes, that's in Russia, where picturesque views observe YOU

      I was really sick of the Soviet Russia jokes and then you go and come up with something new, clever and really, really funny. Thanks. You made my day. I only wish I had mod points to give you the +1 Funny you deserve.

  19. Nothing to learn? by sproket99 · · Score: 1, Troll

    Haven't we learned anything of World Trade Errors?

    1. Re:Nothing to learn? by Saeger · · Score: 3, Funny
      Haven't we learned anything of World Trade Errors?

      What? Like being too chickenshit to build taller? Lesson learned; terrorists won.

      --

      --
      Power to the Peaceful
    2. Re:Nothing to learn? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Yes.

      All those that threaten US should be killed.

    3. Re:Nothing to learn? by Skreech · · Score: 1

      You're right, we shouldn't build tall buildings because terrorists told us not to.

    4. Re:Nothing to learn? by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      You know what? Nobody is going to revenge them for what they didn't do.

      Perhaps you've heard of the Beijing government that periodically threatens to invade Taiwan (for instance if they elect a president the MAinland doesn't like)? The one armed with nuclear weapons? (That's real ones, H-bombs and ICBMs, not pretend "WMDs".)

    5. Re:Nothing to learn? by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      Taiwan is doing well finacially, and yes, after a time they will be arragant as well. This will lead to enemies.

      Taiwan has had a mortal enemy in Beijing since 1949. They survived first because Mao had enoug trouble on the Mainland and decided to let them wait, later because the US supported and armed Taiwan, and now as well because Taiwan pumps billions into China's economy. But the PLA never ceases to build up arms for an assault across the Taiwan Strait and periodicaly rattles their sabres.

    6. Re:Nothing to learn? by juhaz · · Score: 1

      Perhaps you've heard of the Beijing government that periodically threatens to invade Taiwan (for instance if they elect a president the MAinland doesn't like)? The one armed with nuclear weapons? (That's real ones, H-bombs and ICBMs, not pretend "WMDs".)

      Indeed I have, and you're right, they have nuclear weapons. Not only that but they also have over billion people there, you can get quite a nice amount of troops from that...

      So now ask yourself, are the Chinese going to:

      a) start flying planes into walls of the high buildings (buildings they undoubtedly would want for themselves in usable condition after the invasion) just for the fun of it

      or perhaps b) mobilize their huge army that would be capable of invading hundreds of Taiwans in a heartbeat if they wish so, and threaten with those nukes?

      Of course the towers could be damaged or fall in a war as well, but they will probably not be deliberately targeted with some kind of terrorist attacks.

    7. Re:Nothing to learn? by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      Of course the towers could be damaged or fall in a war as well, but they will probably not be deliberately targeted with some kind of terrorist attacks.

      Yes, but I was responding to your more general statement that I quoted "nobody is going to revenge them for what they didn't do". On the dipomatic front, for instance, they use their influence at the UN to keep Taiwan out of the WHO, which was a very big deal during SARS a few months ago.

    8. Re:Nothing to learn? by juhaz · · Score: 1

      Yes, you're right of course. They're not playing nice, and one could certainly describe that kind of stronghand tactics as revenge.

      I was kind of talking in the context of original message, which seemed to be: you shouldn't build big buildings because those Evil(tm) terrorists are lurking under every bed and WTC happens every day.

    9. Re:Nothing to learn? by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      Yes, but china will not act like terrorists. They will flat out attack. In which case, few commercial buildings can be designed to withstand a war.
      There is a difference.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    10. Re:Nothing to learn? by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      Yes, but china will not act like terrorists. They will flat out attack. In which case, few commercial buildings can be designed to withstand a war. There is a difference.

      Sure, but I was responding to your statement that "This will lead to enemies", which imples that it doesn't already. As for terrorism, if it it does come to hostilities, the Mainland surely has thousands of sleepers in place that would perform sabotage and random acts of destruction. Though in wartime it's usually given a different name than "terrorism".

  20. A bit taller, Taiwan can send people into ORBIT!!! by taweili · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Just a joke. Taiwan has been in race with China for years. It's interesting to see this news right after China has finished a manned space mission.

  21. A spire by __aafkqj3628 · · Score: 1

    So... if I add a 504m spire to the top of my house, I'll be able to beat them? Better not waste any time then...

  22. A diagram of the tallest 10 buildings by jensen404 · · Score: 5, Informative
    1. Re:A diagram of the tallest 10 buildings by hamster+foo · · Score: 1

      If that comparison is accurate, then they REALLY need to change the rules to just be something to the effect of the highest floor and not include the spires on top. Considering Petronas was considered the tallest before, and the Sears Tower appears to be MUCH taller than them when you are looking at them side by side.

      --
      - b
    2. Re:A diagram of the tallest 10 buildings by Eminor · · Score: 1

      Strangely missing the CN Tower which is more than 500m tall.

  23. Nose bleed tower by Rod76 · · Score: 1

    That thing is so big, it needs a separate weather forecast for the upper levels.

    --
    Die First, Then Quit
  24. Re:Scyscraper? by jeti · · Score: 1

    A scyscraper is a skyscraper _without_ a spire or antenna.

  25. Good way of confusing terrorists by jazman · · Score: 1, Funny

    Change the rules to include poles et al.

    Then next time OBL decides it would be cool to fly a jumbo into the worlds tallest building, he'll get there and be like "dang, it's a two storey with a 5000m flag pole!"

    1. Re:Good way of confusing terrorists by gatekeep · · Score: 1

      Then next time OBL decides it would be cool to fly a jumbo into the worlds tallest building

      The next time? There still hasn't been a first time the 'worlds tallest building' has been targetted by terrorists.

  26. Earthquakes by pvt_medic · · Score: 1

    Taiwan, which lies on a seismically active stretch of the Pacific basin, was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale in September 1999. The tremor killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed or damaged 50,000 buildings.

    I find the best part is the high risk of earthquakes. Could you possibly try to temp murphy any more.

    -People who live in glass houes should not throw stones

    --
    30% Troll, 50% Underrated, 10% Interesting
    Score:5, Troll
  27. Spires do not a skyscraper make by shaldannon · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Sorry, but you can tack on a radio tower and claim to have the "tallest skyscraper." IMHO, it ain't the tallest unless you're comparing height from lowest occupiable space (sub-basement) to highest occupiable space (penthouse floor). Spires are mere decoration and airplane hazards.

    --


    What is your Slash Rating?
    1. Re:Spires do not a skyscraper make by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      Yes, and with that comparison, up until recently, Sears was the tallest. Now Taipei is.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    2. Re:Spires do not a skyscraper make by RalphBNumbers · · Score: 1

      Only because taipei built a tiny little framework arround the bottom of their spire, and called the top of it the roof.

      Look at the picture here:
      http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?117 8316

      The Taipei 101's 'roof' is barely any wider than their spire, and looks narrower than some other buildings' spires.

      --
      "The worst tyrannies were the ones where a governance required its own logic on every embedded node." - Vernor Vinge
    3. Re:Spires do not a skyscraper make by Have+Blue · · Score: 1

      Airplane hazard? Why would you be flying that close to the building in the first place?

  28. My guess is its historical. by Kaotiq · · Score: 1

    For much of human history the church (insert local flavour here) has been in control and in many places they had edicts that no building could be taller than the local church, mosque, temple etc. So the hight of the spire becomes a serious issue.

    Just a Thought.

    K

    --
    Be wary of strong drink, it can make you shoot at tax collectors and miss.
  29. Re:What was the largest before this one? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    CN Tower, Toronto Canada. The CN Tower is 553.33 m (1,815 ft, 5 inches) tall

  30. Tallest structure by n0nsensical · · Score: 1

    The CN Tower is just the world's tallest free-standing structure. There are numerous radio towers that are higher, including one in Fargo, North Dakota of 2,063 feet.

    1. Re:Tallest structure by n0nsensical · · Score: 1

      Sorry, that one is actually a TV tower. Let's just leave it at "electromagnetic wave propagating structures".

  31. Re: Normal European reaction.... by Adwin · · Score: 1

    "Just a hint, we are not all that stupid over here. After all we managed to put a couple of dudes on the moon, how many times has your country gone over there.... eh?"

    Sure.. Read the Moon Hoax

  32. Geeks in taiwan with a camera ? by selderrr · · Score: 1

    anyone out there who can shoot some decent photographs ? The stuff on reuters is tiny. The Other link has onl y3 pictures which do not really depict the size of the construction... It doesn't seem all that huge.

  33. Re:Ok Then... by Hamster+Of+Death · · Score: 1

    Really people, it IS a concern
    the WTC was built to withstand a 737.
    Hopefully the designers have learned from recent tragic events. I'm curious, how much destruction can this new wonder withstand without risking lives?

    And it better not be (WTC++)

  34. FWIW 'Freedom Tower' by CowboyRobot · · Score: 1

    For what it's worth:
    Taipei: 508 m (1,667 ft)
    Kuala Lumpur: 452 m (1,483 ft)
    Toronto: 553 m (1,814 ft)
    Chicago: 412.4 m (1,353 ft)
    The new plan for rebuilding the World Trade Center in New York includes the 'Freedom Tower' (estimated date of completion: 2008) with usable space up to 341 m (1118.8 feet)
    Main roof: 541.3 m (1,776 ft) - 1776 being the American year of independance, no coincidence
    Spire: 98.8 m (324 ft)
    Height with spire: 640.1 m (2,100 ft)

    --
    every stain tells a story
    1. Re:FWIW 'Freedom Tower' by magiluke · · Score: 1

      That's pretty neat... Where did you find that???

      --
      -Magiluke

      Earl Grey, Hot.

    2. Re:FWIW 'Freedom Tower' by SoupaFly · · Score: 1

      Uhhh, I ain't no architect or building engineer, so can anyone explain why it's 200m from the last useable space to the main roof? Just seems like a hell of a lot of wasted space.

    3. Re:FWIW 'Freedom Tower' by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 1

      Right. Taiwan wouldn't do aything like that. Oh. Wait. They did. It's called the Taipei 101.

  35. Re:Ok Then... by Hamster+Of+Death · · Score: 1

    Aw man...
    Not a redneck AGAIN!
    I'm really tired of using MS BOB

  36. Location of the buildings by drivel · · Score: 1

    It seems that 60% of the top 10 Official World's Tallest High-rise Buildings are in China (Republic of China + People's Republic of China) and 80% of those Top 10 buildings are in Asia.

    1. Re:Location of the buildings by Bushcat · · Score: 1

      Until elevators came along, there was no point in building high, so the first expressions of national can-do were horizontal: bridges.

    2. Re:Location of the buildings by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 1

      It seems that 60% of the top 10 Official World's Tallest High-rise Buildings are in China (Republic of China + People's Republic of China) and 80% of those Top 10 buildings are in Asia.

      In a democratic country, the main question is "is it feasible? will it be cheaper than the alternative solutions? do we need this, actually?". In a dictatorship, the main question is "will it show that we are BIIIIIIIG"? Contemporary American or European money-conscious corporation will rather build itself a low-rise campus somewhere in the suburbs. That's why we have no Apple Tower in Los Angeles nor Microsoft Tower in Seattle, we have Cupertino and Redmond instead.

  37. Re:Man in Space, Super Tall Buildings... by kahei · · Score: 1


    London's pathetic attempt to build one small Hong Kong style building is amusing in a sad kind of way, but 'brilliant' might be going a bit far.

    --
    Whence? Hence. Whither? Thither.
  38. Re:What was the largest before this one? by doomy · · Score: 1

    Racism on /. is simply shameful.

    --
    ...free your source and the rest would follow...
  39. Spires & what have you by kaluta · · Score: 2, Informative
    There's a decent (short) discussion of the whole 'depends how you measure it' thing here.


    For the record, most structural engineers who work on very tall buildings (yes, I'm one) tend to take the view that its habitable space that matters - but having said that some large spires are accessible with observation decks and whatever so these would probably count too. There's a fair bit of difference in the amount of engineering effort required for these than for some carbon fibre mast stuck on top for bragging rights.

    --
    All generalisations are wrong... including this one.
    1. Re:Spires & what have you by twiddlingbits · · Score: 1

      Then wouldn't the Space Station be the highest? It has "habitable space". You said nothing about freestanding or being attached to the ground as requirements. ISS also has a hell of an observation deck, but the admission is a bit steep depening on how bad the Russians need money ;)

  40. So the Sears Tower is still the tallest building. by ScottGant · · Score: 1

    You know what, I don't give a crap about spires. Stand on the Top floor of these cheating "tallest buildings" and then stand on the top of the Sears Tower...People standing on the Sears Tower would be looking down on the people on the other buildings.

    Case closed.

    Who made up these stupid rules anyway?

    --

    "Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it." - John Lennon.
  41. Tallest tuned mass damper by Bushcat · · Score: 1
    Since these buildings tend to have active or passive dampers to counteract oscillation, perhaps one measure of how "usefully" high a building is could be the height of the mass damper above ground level.

    The Taipei 101 has a pendulum-style damper, I think. I wonder how it's controlled if its motion is detected as contributing to oscillation rather than dampening it?

    Interestingly, the spire has its own TMDs. I guess I'm a TMD kind of guy: there's something suitably retro about dragging 800 tons of stuff up as high as possible, simply to have it wobble or slide around.

    1. Re:Tallest tuned mass damper by K8Fan · · Score: 1
      The Taipei 101 has a pendulum-style damper, I think. I wonder how it's controlled if its motion is detected as contributing to oscillation rather than dampening it?

      Now there's a system that you want reliable. I wonder what operating system is running the mass damper control system?

      --
      "How perfectly Goddamn delightful it all is, to be sure" Charles Crumb
  42. OBS by Hamstaus · · Score: 1

    and at least they stop people from using carbon fiber rods to cheat.

    Wow! Did you actually get to see the rod?

    --
    I moderate "-1, Fool"
  43. Clarke's Space Elevator by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    When that goes up (or comes down from orbit, or whatever) won't that blow all the records out of the water? Or would that not count as a building? Though certainly not as an "office" building. ("Our building is half a mile high" "Yeah? Ours is 40,000 miles high...")

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
    1. Re:Clarke's Space Elevator by StarFace · · Score: 1

      I think that would be in the same category as Canada's CN Tower, which is still the tallest structure in the world.

      --
      V
  44. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by doktor-hladnjak · · Score: 1
    Who made up these stupid rules anyway?

    I read some newspaper article about this very thing years ago (maybe when those towers in Malaysia opened?). At some point in the past, a group of architects (I don't remember the details) agreed that the height of the entire building, including ornamental spires would be used.

    Granted the largest structure in the world still remains the CN Tower in Toronto.

  45. You're my hero! by Oestergaard · · Score: 1

    I felt almost empty inside, seeing an article on slashdot that did not mention how this relates to the war on terrorism.

    I could imagine posting anti-terror operatives on the observation decks (or tying one up in the speir), to "track terrorist movement" in the city below. But no, no mention on how this great tower would relate to fighting terrorism.

    You, my friend, introduced the subject in this fine discussion. I am now a whole being again. Thank you so much!

  46. The Russians and Us Americans are drunk by tjstork · · Score: 1

    and building space stations...

    Ideally, we would just get even drunker and put a man on a mars, but, we have this stupid war on terrorism...

    --
    This is my sig.
  47. What happens when a skyscraper gets too old? by vadim_t · · Score: 1

    So, we build this huge thing, and a hundred years later it gets old, starts having structural problems, develops a huge crack, or whatever, and we need to demolish it. Now, how do we do that?

    For example, look at what happened to the towers. They fell down pretty much as nicely as they could, and they still created a huge mess, and tons and tons of dust, some of which included asbestos. And cleaning up the remaining rubble was estimated to take years as well.

    I'm curious about how those buildings are going to be destroyed when they can't continue standing anymore.

    1. Re:What happens when a skyscraper gets too old? by bruthasj · · Score: 1

      The world trade center fell in such a mess because it wasn't exactly what we call a "controlled" "demolition". Under controlled situations a building can be successfully imploded in a downtown area without harming adjacent buildings. Of course, they gut the building of its appropriate warez, and then implode it. (Usually they still close the streets and sidewalks surrounding the area; just to be safe)

  48. Re:Sir Haxalot: Set up specifically for karma by POds · · Score: 1

    lol... man, you spend WAY too much time on here... lol!!

    Karama Whore... LOL!!!

    --


    Giving IE users a taste of their own medicine since 2005 - http://pods.-is-a-geek.net/
  49. Sears is still 2nd, petronas is 3rd by abde · · Score: 5, Informative
    It's worth noting however that there are FOUR definitions of "height" when used in ranking the world's tallest buildings:

    Tip Height is defined as the vertical elevation from the base to the highest man-made part of the building, or any fixed attachment thereto, whichever is higher. This includes flagpoles, antennae, fences, cooling towers, signs, aircraft warning lights, and all kinds of chimneys. Mobile parts such as extendable signs may be included in the measurement as long as the variation of their heights is regular; in this case the maximum height shall constitute the tip height. Attachments such as flags, loose ropes or wires, and trees shall not be considered.

    Structural Height is defined as the vertical elevation from the base to the highest architectural or integral structural element of the building. This includes fixed sculptures, decorative and architectural spires, ornamental fences, parapets, balustrades, decorative beacons, masonry chimneys, and all other architecturally integral elements along with their pedestals.

    Roof Height is defined as the vertical elevation from the base to the highest exterior portion of the shell enclosing the building's interior space. This excludes spires, parapets, and other protruding non-habitable elements. In the event of ambiguity between the enclosing "shell" and the projecting element, then the roof's thickness shall be established by setting its height 10 cm above the highest reach of inhabitable space inside the building.

    Highest Occupied Floor Height is defined as the elevation from the base to the top of the floor slab of the highest occupiable interior level, excluding mechanical, storage, or stairway penthouses whose walls are set back from the perimeter of the highest non-mechanical floor. In the event that the floorplate is not of uniform level, then its height shall be defined as the median height taken across its entire area.

    Until the Petronas Towers were built, the Sears Tower in Chicago held all four titles. Petronas displaced the Sears Tower only by virtue of an enormous spire, which was part of the architectural design but did not actually have usable space. Thus Petronas got a boost to its Structural height by virtue of its spire, but the Sears Tower actually remained the leader in Highest Occupied Floor, and Roof, and Tip. Unfortunately, Structural height is the one used in the public domain to assert the title of Tallest. You can see that the Sears was taller by far in every intuitive sense of the word by looking at this scale drawing. And the illustration actually omits the Sears' antennae masts.

    --
    Don't blame me - I voted for Howard Dean. http://dean2004.blogspot.com
    1. Re:Sears is still 2nd, petronas is 3rd by kondrag · · Score: 1
      I was under the impression that 1 World Trade Center held the title for "Tip Height" due to the communication tower on top of the building. I seem to recall a news story that the Sears Tower just recently added an addition to its communications towers to eclipse the height WTC1 had held prior to its destruction. See here:

      Destroyed buildings diagram

      Tallest buildings diagram

    2. Re:Sears is still 2nd, petronas is 3rd by tuxedobob · · Score: 1

      If it really matters, I don't see why they can't just add to the Sears Tower some "integral structural element", like a 100-foot foam spire, and be done with it.

  50. Why does everyone ignore the CN Tower? 1815 feet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    1815 feet 553 Meters http://www.cntower.ca/

  51. So... by Quixote · · Score: 1
    Does this mean that the Space Elevator will put an end to this "tallest building" race?

    I hope so, if their concept of a "tallest building" includes the toothpick-like antennae.

  52. highest public deck? by m0i · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The true question:
    is the 448m roof of this new tower higher than the CN Tower Skydeck at 447m? If floor(447) is higher than topfloor(Tapei101), then IMO the highest still is the CN Tower (even if it's not considered a true building by charts).

    --
    have you been defaced today?
  53. Geez... by bruthasj · · Score: 1

    The cynics and muckrakers of /. are out in force this week. Nothing gets by them!

    Anyway, the sucker's huge. You can see it about 20 km away towering over the mountains that normally block the entire cityscape of Taipei. If you're in Taiwan, you can see it from Freeway 3 just before Tucheng. It's amazing. And the antenna on top is puny in comparison with the rest of the building... trust me.

  54. What about earthquakes? by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1

    No one seems to have mentioned that Taipei is in an earthquake zone, a very serious one.

  55. please by bigjnsa500 · · Score: 1

    The poster needs to learn how to type. Looks like Engrish to me.

    --
    This is a test. This is a test of the emergency sig system. This has been only a test.
  56. MOD PARENT UP - Even Guinness agrees on CN! by overturf · · Score: 3, Informative

    CN tower is definitely the "world's tallest building". http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/index.asp?id=4 9675

  57. Has anyone else noticed.... by echucker · · Score: 1

    .... that the one upmanship in tall structures seems to be isolated to Asia now?

  58. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by telstar · · Score: 1
    "Granted the largest structure in the world still remains the CN Tower [cntower.ca] in Toronto."
    • Yeah ... but that's Canada. Nobody cares about them except Canadians, and terrorists looking for safe passage to the US.

  59. Re:Why does everyone ignore the CN Tower? 1815 fee by overturf · · Score: 1

    1815 feet 553 Meters http://www.cntower.ca/

    Well, at least Guinness didn't...

  60. Re:Scyscraper? by Kazymyr · · Score: 1

    I awlways enjoiy a storey submitted by a gud spellar.

    --
    I hadn't known there were so many idiots in the world until I started using the Internet -Stanislaw Lem
  61. It is happening by aszaidi · · Score: 1

    Isn't that the same building where Neo will meet Merovingian? It was the 101st floor after all. I always wondered where I could meet that hot blonde. Gotta run to Taipei. See ya.

  62. Mine is biggger than yours (or spire envy) by winkydink · · Score: 1
    The whole thing is childish and smacks of penis-envy. Why can't the Malaysians simply add a bigger spire to theirs?

    There ought to be some requirement that only habitable are counts towards the tallest building. To hell with spires and radio towers.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  63. Painful coitus by winkydink · · Score: 1
    Well, it would make coitus quite painful for both the pitcher and the catcher, but then again, this is /. so we're only talking about jerking off. Done carefully, you'd never notice.

    ...and neither will anybody else :)

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  64. tuned mass damping system by MrDelSarto · · Score: 1

    For those of you who skipped structural engineering lots of information on damping systems is available here especially the two "technotes" papers 1 and 2.

    I think the article said it was an 800 ton damping system; it doesn't suggest how much the building will weigh but that second paper shows that even a 2% mass ratio can signficiantly reduce vibrations in the building.

  65. Explains why Mahathir is in such a foul mood by allrong · · Score: 1

    I wonder if the esteemed Dr M believes that it is another Jewish conspiracy.

    --
    What is the inverse of the Matrix?
  66. Spelling? by Jugomugo · · Score: 1

    Where did the submitter learn to spell?

    --
    "In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats."
  67. Is it just me? by El · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does everybody else think the International Finance Center in Hong Kong hereis modeled after what I think it's modeled after? To quote Shrek: "Maybe they're trying to make up for something."

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    1. Re:Is it just me? by pmz · · Score: 1


      In Hong Kong, they don't try to reach for the heavens, they try to penetrate them. Perhaps it is atheist China sending a message to God: "Bend over, cause this is us one-billion strong!"

  68. 2000+ feet by mokolabs · · Score: 1

    Actually... they've just announced plans to include a broadcast tower, which will expand the tower's height to as much as 2100ft!

    WTC TOWER WILL NOW TOP 2,000 FT.

  69. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by Darby · · Score: 1

    At some point in the past, a group of architects (I don't remember the details) agreed that the height of the entire building, including ornamental spires would be used.

    If this rule was applied to the Sears tower as well, then it would still be taller than the Kuala Lumpur towers. For whatever reason, the spires are counted on those, but not on the Sears tower.

  70. Empire State Building by Tomster · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'd like to draw your attention to the Empire State Building because it was completed in 1931, decades before most of these other buildings were even thought of, decades before "modern" skyscraper architecture and engineering. It still ranks as one of the tallest (and most famous) buildings in the world over 70 years later.

    -Thomas

    1. Re:Empire State Building by CavemanKiwi · · Score: 1

      I'd like to draw your attention to the pyramid they were about 2400BC and nothing came close to beating them for 1000 of years after their construction and they are still standing.

      Altho the Empire State building is a fantastic building, I think the greatest achievement of the Empire State Building is the speed in which it was constructed

  71. Re:What was the largest before this one? by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1

    Islam is a religion, not a race.

  72. Re:What was the largest before this one? by Gidobola · · Score: 1

    CN Tower, Toronto Canada. The CN Tower is 553.33 m (1,815 ft, 5 inches) tall

    CN Tower still is the tallest free-standing structure, but was never the tallest building. Buildings have usable floors all the way to the top. The CN tower does not meet this qualification.

  73. Re:Ok Then... by twiddlingbits · · Score: 1

    Considering the building was being designed probably 10 yrs ago and was already under construction on 9/11/01 I doubt the plane crash scenario was given much thought. The WTC was built to withstand a 727, which was a 1960's era 4 engine jet, much smaller and slower than the 757s that hit the WTC. A 737 is a "baby" jet. Of course there is the 747, C-5, C-17 and some other large Russian jets which are monsters and I'm not sure you could design for a hit from on of these. Maybe there is a super-secret anti-aircraft missile system installed to prevent crashes. I'd be more concerned with a large earthquake or super typhoon causing problems. Taiwan has both of those with some regularity.

  74. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by Gidobola · · Score: 1

    For whatever reason, the spires are counted on those, but not on the Sears tower.

    Communication antennae, like those on the Sears tower, are not counted towards the total height of the building. However, ornamental spires, like those on the Petronas Towers are counted.

  75. Guiness World Record says 1815 feet is Record by alekso · · Score: 1

    According to The Guiness Book of World Records, the tallest building is 553.33 metres or 1815 feet, 5 inches tall. By my calculations, this is taller than the building in the article. Blame Canada.

    --

    Aleks Oniszczak
    VividPicture.com/aleks

    1. Re:Guiness World Record says 1815 feet is Record by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      CN Tower is usually discounted because it's barely a building... more like a structure.

  76. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by ergo98 · · Score: 1

    Yeah, because they really need a "safe passage" to get into a country that is currently hosting some 5 million illegal immigrants, has a rampant illegal weapon and drug trade, and has counterfeit documents throughout the globe.

  77. Great... by t4b00 · · Score: 1

    a new place to throw pennies/spit from.

  78. Re:What was the largest before this one? by ZamesC · · Score: 1

    Go blow your fucking head off, loser. And, we should leave the world in the charge of nice, rational, peaceloving people... like you?

  79. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by Digitalia · · Score: 1

    Taipei 101 is still taller than both of them, sirrah. It is the tallest from ground to spire, the tallest from ground to roof, and the tallest from ground to highest floor.

    Also, the spires on these buildings are decorative in nature. The antennas on the Sears tower are not. If a spire adds to the overall design of the building, then I think it is fair to include its height. I think we should still distinguish between usable height and decorative height. The latter characteristic should probably be decided on a case by case basis by a group of architects.

    --
    Pax Digitalia
  80. Re:What was the largest before this one? by Gidobola · · Score: 1

    THEN THE ONE MENTIONED HERE ISN'T, EITHER: "The full height was achieved after adding a 60-metre (197-ft) spire on top of the building"

    Correction, "all the way to the top, which may include an ornamental spire." I was talking about the difference between a structure and a building.

  81. How do you get out? by drdale · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't be too happy about working in this monster (or any other skyscraper). 9/11 showed the need for work on ways to get people out of skyscrapers quickly in case of a major fire or other disaster. Just yesterday 10 people (I believe) died in a high-rise fire in Chicago; they were found in a stairwell, and apparently died of soke inhalation. I don't think I would work in one of the upper floors unless I were able to keep a parachute in my office.

    --
    This post is dedicated to all of those /.ers who do not dedicate their posts to themselves.
  82. Tallest or not, this ROCKS! by grimani · · Score: 1

    1) there will be a 800 ton spherical mass damping system to minimize sway. between a restaurant level and an observation deck near the top, exposed for our viewing pleasure. i will most def. be there to see it..

    2) fastest elevators in the world. upwards 60km/hr, downwards at 48km/hr. (any idea why down has a lower limit? safety?)

    3) double deck elevators. i'd like to see neo break out of this one. a first too.

    4) and by the way, 448m roof is > 447m roof of the sears tower. this is most definitely taller.

    5) finally, i see the sears tower everyday. it's kinda ugly...pretty refreshing to see this bamboo-inspired design.

    1. Re:Tallest or not, this ROCKS! by RackinFrackin · · Score: 1

      upwards 60km/hr, downwards at 48km/hr. (any idea why down has a lower limit? safety?)

      I'm guessing that it has to do with braking. Going up, gravity will work with the brakes to stop the car. Going down, the brakes will have to fight inertia and gravity to stop the car.

  83. Re:Scyscraper? by mark-t · · Score: 1
    A scyscraper is a skyscraper _without_ a spire or antenna.
    And _with_ a spire or antenna, it is a phallic symbol.
  84. A "Beast" of a skyscraper by Kusanagi · · Score: 1

    Seems odd that it happened to be exactly 1,667 feet... like maybe they added a little bit extra to get past that 1,666 mark.

    Actually, 1,666.7 is more accurate, I think. (that is, if it is exactly 508.0 meters) If you round off to the nearest whole foot, the guy that builds one at 1,667.2 is gonna get short-changed.

    --
    -Major Kusanagi, Section 9
  85. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by redeyedfish · · Score: 1

    It's the difference between a spire and an atennae. While the former is an ornamental structure which counts in heigh, the latter is a functional structure which is disqualified. It's a foolish rule but is explained well by abde's post above, though I suppose in the end, all that matters is one's own personal view since the rules are all pretty subjective concerning building height, or even the definition of a building.

  86. We're Yanks, we must be wrong by HiggsBison · · Score: 1

    ...and I suppose that Marge Simpson, what with her huge blue bee-hive, must be the tallest person in the world. Hair counts for height, right? Can't disqualify her just 'cause she's a cartoon. No, that would be alot of Yank whinging.

    --
    My other car is a 1984 Nark Avenger.
  87. Petronas has the most "height"! by Kusanagi · · Score: 1
    Shouldn't Petronas be first, since it's two towers at 451.9m ea., making it 903.8m overall. :) Can't blame the designer for being smart and defying gravity by splitting the mass into two separate chunks.

    It's like this: If Billy the cashier at McDonald's works 6 hours everyday, does he only get paid minimum wage * 6? No, you have to factor in the number of days. And if he wears a spire on his head, he'll get paid even more!

    --
    -Major Kusanagi, Section 9
  88. Great pictures by solprovider · · Score: 1

    Parent posted to World's 10 Tallest Buildings which shows pictures of all 10 buildings (including Taipei 101) on a ruled page that shows the height in meters.

    The graphic is very pretty. It also shows that only the Sears tower has a full floor over 425m. And that if the permanent antennas were redefined as spires, it would still be the tallest.

    US are #1! I mean, we are #1. I mean, well, I am not an architect or associated with the construction industry in any way, but national pride says we are still the highest (in every sense of the word.)

    --
    I spend my life entertaining my brain.
  89. NO! NO! NO! NO! by ashitaka · · Score: 1

    The CN tower is once and for all the world tallest free-standing...

    TOURIST TRAP!!!!

    Have you SEEN what they charge for an elevator ride to the main observation level. And then another ridiculous amount to take that crappy little elevator to the groddy little top observation deck which really isn't any different from the main level cause you're already so high up.

    The "glass" floor in the main observation level is kinda cool though. 342m (1,122 ft) straight down beneath your feet. Acrophobics beware!!

    --
    If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
    1. Re:NO! NO! NO! NO! by pmz · · Score: 1

      Acrophobics

      Acrophobia is a funny thing. I'm not at all afraid of flying (sitting atop several tons of fuel worries me much more than aerodynamics). I'm not at all afraid of skyscrapers (the Sears Tower observation deck is more fascinating than scary). I'm not afraid of mountains (give me a good cliff any day). However put me on a catwalk or on a expanded-metal (i.e., transparent) stairway over a hundred-foot high stairwell, and I'm toast.

  90. Re:...thereby doubling it's height and making it by yngv · · Score: 1

    no fair! you peeked!

  91. Designed to stop... by ashitaka · · Score: 1

    Trigger-happy hackers from the "real world" shooting out support cables and taking wild rides upwards grasping tight, shiny leather-clad babes whilst mumbling about the non-existence of certain pieces of cutlery.

    --
    If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
  92. Perfect engineering? All problems known? by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1


    Yes, and I have spent time doing business in Taipei. My understanding is that there is a big likelihood that there will be an earthquake larger than 7 on the Richter scale. Not only that, but I doubt their ability to know every technical problem of having an earthquake of 7 on the scale.

    The article says, "Some have worried that the building would be dangerous in earthquake -prone Taiwan. But the skyscraper's developers have said the closest fault line is 660 feet from the building, and the fault hasn't been active in 45,000 years."

    This is utter nonsense. An earthquake does not need to be close to a building to destroy it.

    Earthquakes close to 7 are not rare. The Bay Area quake was 6.9. California is part of the same earthquake system, the Pacific basin.

  93. Protected Images by bluethundr · · Score: 1

    The site that has images of this new building, this"Skyscrapers.com" holds the rights to the images of the new buildings. All of the images bear the warning:

    The image above is for internet viewing only, and may not be saved outside your browser or used without a license. However, you can buy usage rights if the image belongs to our staff.

    So whatever you do kids! If you're a windoze luser, PLEASE make sure you don't accidentally fullscreen the browser window, and make sure your cat doesn't unwittingly stand on the keys RIGHT ALT+SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN and then shift feet to stand on CTRL+V while you have, say MSPAINT open. That image might end up in an unauthorized area! Also, be careful as a mac user that you don't let your fingers (unintentionally, of course!) stumble across Command Key+4, and if you do make sure the marquee doesn't stray into the protected image! You want to make absolutely sure that if you want to look at these pictures outside your browser window you'll do the right thing kids! Pay the licensing fee!

    --
    Quod scripsi, scripsi.
  94. Re:So the Sears Tower is still the tallest buildin by Darby · · Score: 1

    While the former is an ornamental structure which counts in heigh, the latter is a functional structure which is disqualified. It's a foolish rule but is explained well by abde's post above...

    That makes sense, I suppose.
    Taking this to the ridiculous, wouldn't the building itself be functional, hence exempt from measurement?

    Since only ornamental features count, I declare that nothing but garden gnomes and lawn flamingos shall ever count for the tallest anything.

  95. Ask anyone in Chicago.... by Trillian_1138 · · Score: 1

    and they'll tell you what the tallest building in the world is: the Sears Tower. It's stupid to say a 101-story building is the tallest in the world when the Sears Tower has over 110 floors and the highest occupied floor in the world at 1,450 ft. Anyone from Chicago can tell you these shoddy knockoffs are just that.

    Coicidentaly, I went to the Sears Tower Skydeck (the observing floor on 103) and their informational video actually had pics of the Kuala Lumpur towers. One of the narrators (an animated bird) asks the other, "But what about those towers in Malaysia?" and was of course brushed off with, "Well, if adding some sillt piece of masonry can get you a title, let them have it. We know we're truely the tallest."

    Also of intrest, I remember when the Kuala Lumpur towers were finished and the owners of the Sears Tower (don't remember if it was still Sears at that point) looked into adding two or three 'dummy' floors, which would be all that was nescesary to beat the Kuala Lumpur towers. Unfortunatly, with the Taipei tower 'officially' measuring over 1,600 feet, that'd be a few too many dummy floors.

    But anyone from Chicago can tell you why these imitations don't measure up to the real thing.

    -Trillian

  96. Stupid Asians by FirmWarez · · Score: 1

    When will they realize that engineering and architectural marvels aren't what real power is all about.

    I mean, who needs to go to space and build great things and such when you can blow all of your country's money killing, destroying, and generally pissing people off...all while mispronouncing simple two syllable words? Now that's how to build a legacy!

  97. Sure, but can it fly? by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 1

    Just an interesting tid bit I found on the SkyscraperPage.com. The International Space station is 99 Meters, or about 1/5 the height of the tallest building in the world. The top is quite a bit taller of course.

    Gives new meaning to Thoreau's "If you have built castles in the air, now put the foundations under them."

    http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b21790 :o)

  98. It's a white elephant by robert_storey · · Score: 1

    I live in Taiwan. Taipei 101 makes me ill everytime I look at it. The building is a government-financed feel-good project to enhance the nation's prestige. Unfortunately, except for the government-owned stockmarket, the office tower has attracted no tennants willing to sign a lease. Backers of the project claim that the seven-storey shopping mall is leased - of course, they don't like to mention that it's in another building. This thing is going to go spectacularly bankrupt soon after it's finished. By the way, nearby Sungshan Airport had to re-route it's flights to avoid danger to the office tower.

  99. Re:Why does everyone ignore the CN Tower? 1815 fee by Travoltus · · Score: 1

    Because it is a tower and not a skyscraper?

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    --- Grow a pair, liberals... stop letting the Republicans bully you!
  100. WORK WARNING on that pic by jamehec · · Score: 1

    Good thing I browse /. from home, or I might have been nailed for that.

    --
    This post made with the Dvorak layout.
    "Friends don't let friends use QWERTY"
  101. Re:Why does everyone ignore the CN Tower? 1815 fee by Rob+Simpson · · Score: 1

    And what's the difference between that and a building that only wins because they stuck a silly spire on it? (The CN tower is a building with restaurants and elevators and all sorts of tourist junk in it.) IMO, either it should be the highest occupied floor with a certain minimum area (in which case the Sears tower wins), or the tallest free-standing structure with spires and whatnot included (in which case the CN tower wins).

  102. Re:What was the largest before this one? by fucksl4shd0t · · Score: 1

    I find your blatantly Islamophobic attitude to be disgusting, and unworthy of a science and technology oriented news site.

    Hmmm, so how was the original post blatantly islamophobic, as you say?

    --
    Like what I said? You might like my music
  103. Jump! by MoronGames · · Score: 1

    So now, when somebody jumps, instead of making a "splat" noise, they make a "SPLAT!!!" noise. Right?

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    hey!
  104. Unfortunately YHO counts zilch. by jotaeleemeese · · Score: 1

    So get on with it and celebrate this new achievement.

    --
    IANAL but write like a drunk one.
  105. Re:What was the largest before this one? by unusdemorsmortis · · Score: 1

    OH, but what about the world's tallest freestanding bell tower, 160 ft. (49 m), in good old West Lafayette, Indiana. You can't forget about that. Just forget about who has the largest, who has the biggest. Worry about the things that matter, such as incompetent leadership. Yes, I am a citizen of the US, until I finally get away from this shit-hole, and no we didn't choose that asshole, we chose the other one.