Our cities are getting more crowded and polluted everyday. In order to adapt to the growth and expansion of the urban landscape we must design buildings that are taller, smarter, and more environmentally efficient. The modern skyscraper is the pinnacle of that adaptation. These buildings have become small cities that service thousands of inhabitants and though many are not architectural wonders, they provide solutions to a number of global problems.
In "The Heights," author Kate Ascher gives us an illustrated tour through the inner-workings of the modern skyscraper and examines every aspect of the design, construction and maintenance of these modern marvels. Ascher also explains the science behind a number of functions in the skyscraper like how high-speed elevators work using so little electricity and how complex calculations allow even the tallest buildings to sway just the right amount in the wind.
"The Heights" also chronicles the people who build and maintain these behemoth structures and the architects who calculate how weight and weather affect their designs. Is it possible for modern skyscrapers to be on the cutting edge of design, technology and environmental efficiency? Are they the best or worst way to service thousands of individual working under one roof?
Guest:
Kate Ascher, author of "The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper" (Penguin Press)