Architecture-Building & Construction

World's Tallest Building

What is the World's Tallest Building?

A. It depends on who does the measuring! Skyscraper buffs disagree on whether features like flagpoles, antennas, and spires should be included when measuring building height.
Also under dispute is the question of what, exactly, constitutes a building. Technically, observation towers and communications towers are considered structures, not buildings, because they are not habitable. They do not have residential or office space.
Soaring 1,670 feet (509 meters), the Taipei 101 Tower in Taipei, Taiwan appears to be the world's tallest building. But the Taipei 101 Tower's massive 60-foot spire contributes to much of that height.
Before the Taipei 101 Tower was completed, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were described as the tallest buildings in the world.
But, like the Taipei 101 Tower, the Petronas Twin Towers get much of their height from spires, not from usable space.
If you count only habitable space and measure from the sidewalk level of the main entrance to the structural top of building (excluding flagpoles and spires), then Chicago's Sears Tower, built in 1974, may still be the tallest building in the world.
But none of these buildings will keep their rankings for long. Even taller buildings are on the drawing board. Freedom Tower at the new World Trade Center in New York City is expected to rise 541 meters (1,776 feet) tall, including its enormous spire.
However, if spires, flagpoles, and antennas can be counted when we measure building heights, perhaps rankings of the World's Tallest Buildings should include all man-made structures, whether or not they contain habitable space. In this case, the CN Tower in Canada is the world's tallest building. The communications tower and tourist attraction measures 553.33 meters (1,815 ft., 5 inches) tall.
Listed below are vital statistics for the tallest buildings in the world, as reported by skyscraper databases and Web sites.

Important notes:
• Building heights and rankings are often disputed. To find out how building heights are ranked, see: What is the world's tallest building?
• This page lists only buildings with full floors on each story. For information about other very tall structures, see: TV, Radio & Observation Towers.

World's Tallest Buildings Ranked
Buildings in shaded boxes are proposed, not completed,
or no longer standing. For completed buildings, scroll down.

Building & Location Year Stories Height Chief Architect M. Ft.

Burj Dubai ,Dubai, UAE
(under construction) 2008? 160 705 2,313 Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Center of India Tower, Katangi, India (speculative) 2008? 224 677 2,222
Tower of Russia, Moscow, Russia (proposed) 2010? 134 648 2,129

International Business Center, Seoul, S. Korea (proposed) 2008? 130 580 1,903

Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center New York (under construction) 2011? 540 1,776 Daniel Libeskind / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Lotte World II Busan S. Korea (proposed) 2012? 107 512 1,680 Steven Huh, ParkerDurrant International

Taipei 101 Tower Taipei, Taiwan 2004 101 509 1,670 C.Y. Lee & Partner

Shanghai World Financial Center, China
(under construction) 2007? 101 492 1,614 Kohn Pederson Fox

Union Square Phase 7, Hong Kong, China (under construction) 2007? 102 474 1,555

Suyong Bay Tower, Busan, S. Korea
(proposed) 2010? 102 462 1,516 Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Xujiahui Tower, Shanghai, China
(proposed) 92 460 1,509

Petronas Tower 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 88 452 1,483 Cesar Pelli

Petronas Twin Tower 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 88 452 1,483 Cesar Pelli

The Gateway III, Hong Kong, China
(proposed) ? 450 1,476

Sears Tower, Chicago 1974 110 442 1,450 Bruce Graham (SOM)

Asia Plaza, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
(proposed) 2008? 103 431 1,414 TMA Architects & Associates

Jin Mao Building, Shanghai 1999 88 421 1,381 SOM

Dalian International Trade Center, Dalian China (proposed) 2007? 78 420 1,378

World Trade Center, New York Destroyed by terrorists 9/11/01 1973 110 417 1,368 Minoru Yamaski

Two International Finance Centre (IFC), Hong Kong 2003 88 415 Cesar Pelli

Sky Central Plaza (CITI Plaza, China International Trust) Guanzhou 1997 80 391 1,283 DLN Architects

North Bund Tower, Shanghai, China (proposed) ? 72 388 1,273 John Portman & Associates

Shun Hing Square, Shenzhen, China 1996 69 384 1,260 K.Y. Cheung Design Assc.

Empire State Building, New York
1931 102 381 1,250 Shreve, Lamb and Harmon

Abbco Rotana Hotel, Dubai, UAE (proposed) 2006 72 380 1,247 Khatib & Alami

Central Plaza, Hong Kong
1992 78 374 1,227 Ng Chun Man

Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong 1989 70 369 1,209 Ieoh Ming Pei

Bank of America Tower, New York City USA (under construction) 2008? 54 366 1,200 Cook+Fox

Millenium Tower Frankfurt Germany
(proposed) 2011? 91 365 1,198 Albert Speer & Partner GmbH

Emirates Tower One, Dubai 1999 54 355 1,165 Read more!

posted by Ronald @ 3:32 AM 0 comments

Top 7 Home Design Software Programs

Anyone with a dream and a computer can draw floor plans, house elevations, and stunning 3D pictures using these home design software programs. The programs can't take the place of an architect and most aren't recommended for creating working drawings. They can, however, help you visualize your house and some rival the professional-grade CAD (computer aided design) software programs architects use.

1) Broderbund 3D Home Architect
Broderbund's 3D Home Design programs let you customize preset floor plans or create your own original. Want to see your vision of arched doorways leading out to the terrace? Point and click to create the shapes and lines you want. Select moldings and other details from a menu of options, and coordinate a group of room, or a whole house.

2) Punch! Home Design Series
A single, beginner-friendly interface incorporates 32 programs with powerful tools,including CAD for 3D home and landscape design. You can plan your electrical and plumbing systems, design doors and windows, create custom trim, and much more. Buy the complete software suite, or choose the programs you need the most.

3) Abracadata Design Your Own Home for Mac
If you have a Mac, your choices are limited. Abracadata's Design Your Own Home is a simple drawing program for a Macintosh operating system. The cost is sensible, but if you're looking for free, also be sure to check DesignWorkshop Lite, which is listed below.

4) Chief Architect Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer
Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer is homeowner-friendly, but it is developed by the publisher of the professional-grade design and drafting software, Chief Architect.

5) Google SketchUp
Download the free SketchUp program from Google and you can draw 3D images of your building project. After you've created your 3D image, you can print it out or upload it to a "3D Warehouse" to share with others. The Warehouse also has drawings you can add to your own 3D picture.
Manufacturer's Site

6) DesignWorkshop Lite
The cost-free DesignWorkshop Lite software program lets you build your own 3D models of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, or any kind of spatial design. For a small price, you can also order complete documentation, tutorials, and additional example building models.DesignWorkshop Lite has a dual platform for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Manufacturer's Site

7) Fast Plans
If all you want to do is draw quick and easy floor plans, and you don't need fancy 3D drawings, Fast Plans will do the job. Read more!

posted by Ronald @ 2:49 AM 0 comments

How Much Will it Cost to Build Your New Home?

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? If you have detailed blueprints, your builder can give you a close estimate. But long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some "guesstimating." Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. Here are handy tips from Ken Katuin, president of HomePlanFinder.com and editor of the company's email newsletter, Home Ideas.
1. Contact Local Builders
Contact builders who build homes that are similar in size, quality and features to the home you want to build. The builder can give you a ballpark idea of what it would cost to hire them to build your dream home. A builder can tell you around how much per square foot they usually charge for home construction.
However, it is probably just as important knowing what is included at that price. If you ask, some builders will provide you a list showing the materials they will use.
2. Use Square Footage
Look at newly constructed homes that are similar in size, style, quality and features to the home you want. Take the price of the home, deduct the price of the land and divide that amount by the square footage of the home.
For example, if the home is selling for $230,000 and the land cost $30,000, then the construction cost is around $200,000. If the home is 2,000 square feet then the cost per square foot is $100.
Use several new homes in your area to get an approximate square footage price. After you have calculated an average square footage cost, you can multiply that cost by the finished square footage of your house plan to get a ballpark estimate.
3. Some Features Cost More
The most expensive areas in a home are usually the bathrooms and kitchen. The number of windows and the size and quality of windows can also affect the cost. Vaulted ceilings and high roof pitches can increase the cost of a home. When using other homes to calculate an estimate, be sure the home has a similar style and features of the home you plan to build.
The cost per square foot is often higher for a small home than that of a larger home. When building a larger home, the cost of expensive items (such as a furnace or kitchen) is spread over more square footage. Consequently, a larger home may have a lower square footage cost than a smaller home. Also, it usually costs less to build a two-story home when compared to a one-story home that has the same square footage. This is because a two-story home will have a smaller roof and foundation. Plumbing and ventilation are more compact in two-story homes.
Small details in the design of your home can make a big difference in the price. To save on costs, begin estimating construction expenses before you select your final blueprints. Here are important factors to consider.
Size of Home
When building a home, it's best to work with even numbers. Have your home size rounded up or down to increments of two feet. This reduces wasted materials. Also, it's most economical to build a home which is no deeper than 32 feet. If the depth exceeds 32 feet, then your roof trusses may need to be specially designed and will be more expensive.
Shape of Home
Homes that have a rectangular or box shape cost less to build. Having more angles and corners in the shape of your home can increase the amount of labor and materials needed to build a home. Dome shaped homes also make efficient use of materials and tend to cost less than other shapes.
Site Preparation Preparing a site for construction can have a big impact on the cost of a home. Building on a flat lot will usually cost less. If you have to haul in lots of dirt, do a lot of grading, clear trees, or blast through large rocks, then site preparations can become more expensive.
Cost Overruns
Usually the finished cost of a home is more then the original bid price. Cost overruns occur from overspending the allowances, making changes and encountering unforeseen problems. Proper planning can greatly reduce cost overruns. In general, it is a good idea to allow an additional 10% to cover unexpected costs.
Inflation and Market Conditions
Usually the cost of building a home increases around 3% to 6% per year. If it will be several years before you plan to build, remember to include inflation into the cost estimate for your home. When using other homes to compare prices, try to use homes that have been built within the last six months. Read more!

posted by Ronald @ 2:47 AM 0 comments

Building Your New Home

From Ralph Liebing
Tips From A Pro
A builder may pour the foundation and raise the roof, but only you can make your new house a home. A seasoned architect offers tips to help you avoid costly and heartbreaking mistakes.
Your new house is an exciting, and mind-boggling experience for you; it is routine for the builder ("been there- done that"). These attitudes often tend to clash. Building your new house should not (and cannot) be a passive exercise. A myriad of decisions have to be made, by you. Where you are unable, or unwilling to make decisions, you will force the builder to make them. To make sure your new home fulfills your own vision, follow these guidelines:
Understand Your Contract
• You will party to a contract involving a massive amount of money when you sign on the dotted line for the construction of your new house.
By so doing, you abdicate NONE of your basic legal rights; therefore, know them, and exercise them!
• Start by reading the contract and understanding it. You are paying (or will pay over the next 25-30 years) for the knowledge of the builders -- their experience and ability. PLUS you are paying your builders a profit above their expenses. What do you expect in return? How do ensure that you get what you expect?
• COMMUNICATE - WRITE IT DOWN - COMMUNICATE- WRITE IT DOWN - COMMUNICATE - WRITE IT DOWN. Anything you add to the house after the contract is signed, the builder will keep track of -- assiduously! Anything you delete or reduce, YOU keep track of -- assiduously!
Save on Building Costs
• Keep costs in perspective; $10 a thousand more for brick you like better translates into only $100 more when 10,000 bricks (a typical amount) are involved.
• The average house contains approximately 1,500 to 2,000 square feet; do you need more? Why? How much more?
• Take care that glitz and gadgets (suggested by friends, the builder, or magazines) do not overwhelm good basic construction-- don't trade them for lesser construction. Bouncy floors (where joists are stretched to the maximum) are not remedied by a hot tub, flocked wall covering, skylights, or jazzy door hardware.
• You pay for each and every square foot of space in your house, be it occupied, usable, or otherwise. If the cost is $50, $85, or $110 per square foot, "extra", unused, vacant and unnecessary area is provided at the very same cost.
Check Building Codes
• Don't expect to control the number of nails used. Do expect a substantially built house, free of defects, and in accord with all applicable codes and regulations. Require proof of such compliance (many jurisdictions issue Certificates of Occupancy) at the closing of your mortgage. This indicates accord with the MINIMUM code and safety standards.
• Realize that some things are virtually unchangeable; they should be done properly, first off. This includes a properly sized and constructed foundation system, a properly designed and installed structural system, etc. Changeable items such as finishes, coverings, etc., should not distract you from watching for and requiring good basic construction.
• Watch for things that are not necessarily what you want and that you will not be able to change easily or cheaply. Question things that just don't look or seem right. Most of the time they are NOT right!
• Seek some reliable outside, impartial advice -- other than your father (even if he is a builder!).
Be Flexible
• Be ready and prepared to resolve situations and problems by compromising. Be aware, however, of what you may be giving up in this process -- examine and understand both sides. IS the situation worth what you are losing?
• The builder is fully capable of doing anything (or can find someone who can) you wish; BUT, this all will come with a price -- so be careful and wary of unique, inordinate, or far-out requests, new technology, and untested materials and equipment.
• Understand that construction is an imperfect science. This combined with natural elements (site conditions, weather, wood members, human foibles) means that things could change, must be changed, or simply exceed capabilities.
• Flat-out errors do happen. Absolute perfection or your idea of perfection may not (and more than likely, will not) be achieved. Drastic imperfections, however, can be corrected, and they should be. It is within your rights to require this.
Keep Records
• Things not clearly and specifically noted, written, described, or shown will be interpreted, by both sides; there must be a meeting of minds where interpretations are fully understood and resolved. When this does not happen, expect dispute, confrontation, pique, anger, frustration, and perhaps even litigation.
• Be redundant; leave nothing to chance. Follow up verbal discussions and instructions with written verification. Keep records, receipts, record of phone call, all correspondence, samples you approve, sales slips, model/type/style numbers, and the like.
• Don't allow yourself to be reduced to buying any aspect of "a pig in a poke."
• The more time and effort spent up-front in programming, planning, designing, and understanding, as well as in establishing specifics of the project, the better the chance for a smoother construction period and a satisfactory result.
Be Businesslike
• Be pragmatic, and absolutely businesslike in all of your dealings with the builders. They are working FOR you; you are not seeking them as new friends.
• If a friend or relative performs part of the work, treat them in exactly the same manner -- have a contract, demand adherence to your schedule, etc.
• Don't let a gift or a good price disrupt the project overall.
Questions to Ask
Before you hire a builder for your new house, be sure that you can answer each of these important questions.
• What is a good design for our needs?
• What is a building code? Does it effect us? How does it work? What doesn't it do?
• Who is responsible, overall, for my building project?
• What are good sizes and proportions for rooms? What style do I want?
• What am I really getting from the builder?
• What problems do I have in my current house that I don't want to repeat?
• Where can I find answers and help? How do I make my desires known?
• What does that line on the drawing mean?
• What is a dispute; a lien?
• What are specifications? Does the builder write and provide them?
• What if my builder does something in a way I don't like? Is the house going to be complete; will something be left out?
• When will the house be finished?
• What is a contract? How do I play a part in it? What does it say?
• What is "an extra"?
• Is that a good material, I've never heard of it?
• Can I change things?
• Who picks the color of the paint, wall coverings, etc.?
• Is landscaping included? Sod? Seed? mud and rocks? Slopes? Are landscape features guaranteed?
• What if I disagree with the builder? Can I stop the work?
• Am I allowed on the job site? Can I inspect the work as it goes up? Can I bring someone with me?
• I really want this ________________in the house -- how do I get exactly that?
• I can buy the light fixtures from my brother-- but who will hang them? What do I do?
• Should I close on the mortgage and pay the builder in full? I have several items that I don't like - must I still close?
• Why do we have to make all these trips to pick things out? Read more!

posted by Ronald @ 2:37 AM 0 comments