Top 10: World's Tallest Buildings

The design and construction of super-tall towers requires specialised construction techniques at every stage. 

Wind tunnel testing at the design stage helps with the building's aerodynamic shape and façade design.

Foundation footings must accommodate immense point loads, often utilising deep caissons – watertight box-like structures used in foundations– that extend to the bedrock.

Steel megacolumns, sometimes 4 meters in diameter, nearly always comprise the primary structure.

At certain floors – usually every 20-30 storeys – entire levels are dedicated to housing equipment such as air conditioning and electrical systems. These are called mechanical floors. Each of these floors usually have giant steel beams that stretch out from the building's central core to its outer edges – so-called 'outrigger trusses'. These trusses help prevent the building from swaying in strong winds, because in high winds these trusses  spread the force across the entire structure.

At the highest levels, mass dampers, weighing up to 1,000 tons, counteract wind-induced sway at upper levels.

High-strength concrete, often exceeding 100 MPa – a unit of pressure or tension measurement – must be pumped to extreme heights while maintaining workability.

Here are world's the 10 tallest buildings. 

Taipei 101

Height: 508 metres
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Date completed: 2004
Tier one contractor: KTRT Joint Venture
Taipei 101's construction pioneered the use of high-performance concrete in supertall buildings. The tower features a tuned mass damper, visible to visitors, to counteract wind and seismic forces. Its design incorporates elements of traditional Chinese architecture. The building houses offices, restaurants, and an observation deck, serving as a symbol of Taiwan's economic growth.

Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

Height: 530 metres
Location: Guangzhou, China
Date completed: 2016
Tier one contractor: China State Construction Engineering Corporation
The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre features a mixed-use programme with offices, apartments, and a hotel. Its construction employed a mega-column structure and outrigger trusses for stability. The building's façade utilises high-performance glass to reduce solar heat gain. The project faced challenges in foundation work due to the Pearl River Delta's soil conditions.

Tianjin CTF Finance Centre

Height: 530 metres
Location: Tianjin, China
Date completed: 2019
Tier one contractor: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre's design incorporates a smooth, curved façade to minimise wind resistance. The construction process utilised prefabricated components to reduce on-site work. The building houses offices, serviced apartments, and a hotel. Its structural system includes a central reinforced concrete core with perimeter columns and outrigger trusses.

China Zun

Height: 527.7 metres
Location: Beijing, China
Date completed: 2018
​​​​​​​Tier one contractor: China State Construction Engineering Corporation
China Zun's design features a distinctive shape inspired by an ancient Chinese wine vessel. The construction process employed a core-wall structure with mega-columns and outriggers. The building incorporates a tuned mass damper to reduce wind-induced motion. It primarily serves as an office tower, with the upper floors housing a public observation deck.

One World Trade Center

Height: 541.3 metres
Location: New York City, USA
Date completed: 2014
Tier one contractor: Tishman Construction
One World Trade Center's design prioritised safety and security features, including a reinforced concrete base. The construction process involved complex logistics due to its location in Lower Manhattan. The building serves as a commercial and office space, with an observation deck on the top floors. Its design incorporates sustainable elements, including rainwater collection and recycling systems.

Lotte World Tower

Height: 554.5 metres
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Date completed: 2017
Tier one contractor: Lotte Engineering & Construction
​​​​​​​Seoul's Lotte World Tower incorporates seismic design principles to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 9. The construction process utilised a wind-resistant curtain wall system and an advanced vertical transportation system. The tower houses offices, a luxury hotel, residential apartments, and an observation deck. Its design drew inspiration from traditional Korean art forms.

Ping An Finance Center

Height: 599.1 metres
Location: Shenzhen, China
Date completed: 2017
Tier one contractor: China Construction First Group
The Ping An Finance Center utilises a megastructure design with eight composite mega-columns. Its façade comprises 1,700 tonnes of 316L stainless steel, the largest stainless steel façade in the world. The building's construction required careful planning to integrate with Shenzhen's existing infrastructure. It primarily serves as the headquarters for Ping An Insurance and includes office and retail spaces.

Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel

Height: 601 metres
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Date completed: 2012
Tier one contractor: Saudi Binladin Group
This complex serves as a pilgrimage hotel, accommodating millions of visitors annually. The central clock tower houses a museum and prayer rooms. Construction involved the use of high-strength concrete to withstand the region's extreme temperatures. The project faced logistical challenges due to its location in a densely populated area with restricted access during religious events.

Shanghai Tower

Height: 632 metres
Location: Shanghai, China
Date completed: 2015
Tier one contractor: Shanghai Construction Group
​​​​​​​The Shanghai Tower features a double-skin façade and twisted form to reduce wind loads. Its construction faced challenges due to the soft soil conditions of Shanghai, requiring deep foundation work. The building houses offices, retail spaces, and a hotel. It incorporates a rainwater recycling system and wind turbines, showcasing sustainable design principles in supertall structures.

Burj Khalifa

Height: 828 metres
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date completed: 2010
Tier one contractor: Samsung C&T
Classed as a ‘mega-tall building’, the Burj Khalifa's construction utilised a buttressed core structural system, allowing for its extreme height. The project faced challenges in pumping concrete to unprecedented heights and managing wind loads. The building's programme includes residential apartments, corporate offices, and a hotel. Its design incorporates a Y-shaped plan to maximise views and stability.
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