How to Build a Skyscraper: Part I

Vision: Skyscrapers are symbols of power, financial prowess, ingenuity, innovation and will.  The process of building a skyscraper begins with a vision.  The vision usually comes from an owner who wants to provide a place for people to work, live, shop, congregate and/or worship.  The owner or developer will select an architect to make that vision come to life or to determine the different possible ways the vision may be implemented in the built environment.

Design: Sometimes the owner/developer will share the general desired project intent and parameters with multiple architects and select the project architect througha design competition.  Each competing architect will then render their ideas in 3-D designs and build models to bring the project to life.  Once the winner of the competition is selected, that architect will begin to prepare construction drawings, which incorporate the limitations and restrictions of building codes, structural engineering limitations, the needs and desires of the clients and the client's budget.

Construction Begins: Once the architect is selected and the construction drawings are in the works, the first phase of construction can begin.  First the excavation subcontractor comes to the site to clear the project area and dig a very large hole in the ground.  The excavation contractor may also condition and prepare the soil as necessary and appropriate.  The skyscraper building will sit atop this holeor pit. 

Next, the foundation can be installed and poured.  Depending on the type of soil, the foundation may utilize spread footings or may need to have stabilizing piers driven all the way to bed-rock.  It is imperative to have the excavation of the site and installation of the foundation properly executed, because the rest of the project will literally rest on and be supported by these systems.