When you look at a skyscraper, it makes sense to marvel at the architectural design that allowed it, but underneath the ground, the immense architectural basis of the building becomes even more prominent. The skyscraper simply couldn't exist without the foundation, which is why it's so interesting to look at. Here are six of the tallest buildings in the world today, as well as a bit of information about these buildings' foundations.
Wilshire Grand Center - Los Angeles, United States - 1,100 Ft. Tall
The Wilshire Grand Center is the tallest building in the United States west of Chicago, surpassing the U.S. Bank Tower by 82 feet. The foundation and supports stretch 90 feet down, with five basement floors, and the building's 18-foot-thick concrete mat actually set the Guinness World Record for the largest continuous concrete pour ever.
Willis Tower - Chicago, United States - 1,451 Ft. Tall
As the third-tallest building in the United States, the Willis Tower, formally Sears Tower, is a well-known part of the Chicago skyline, and it was the tallest building in the world when it was built in 1973. Its foundation reaches 100 feet into the earth, with three basement floors, which includes 114 concrete caissons that reach down into the bedrock and a five-foot-thick concrete mat.
Taipei 101 - Taipei, Taiwan - 1,667 Ft. Tall
From 2004 to 2009, Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building, and its quick-paced elevators actually set new records when it completed them. The foundation depth is one of the most impressive on this list, at 262 feet, including a four-foot-thick wall that extends 154 feet underground and 385 foundation piers, each with a five-foot diameter.
One World Trade Center - New York City, United States - 1,776 Ft. Tall
The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and sixth-tallest in the world, with its height an intentional nod to the year the United States' Declaration of Independence was signed. That height requires a significant foundation, with a depth of 150 feet. They also had to build the supports around pre-existing commuter trains.
Shanghai Tower - Shanghai, China - 2,073 Ft. Tall
The Shanghai Tower is the second-tallest building in the world and has the world's highest observation deck. That height comes at a cost, and this building has the deepest foundation on the list at 282 feet below ground. The building utilizes 980 foundation piles with a three-foot diameter each.
Burj Khalifa - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 2,723 Ft. Tall
Since it was built in 2009, the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world - it's over a mile tall. The foundation stretches down 164 feet, including 192 five-foot diameter foundation piles and a 12-foot concrete mat. Plus, the building has a wide base stretching up to a super-tall pillar, offering more stability.
Conclusion
Foundation depths don't necessarily perfectly correspond to building heights, but every skyscraper foundation is a work of architectural mastery. No matter who you are, you can admire a skyscraper foundation for its structural strength.
