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Modern Architecture

Modern architecture is a style found in the buildings that have simple form without any ornamental structures to them. This style of architecture first came up around 1900. By 1940, modern architecture was identified as an international style and became the dominant way to build for many decades in the 20th century. Modern architects apply scientific and analytical methods to design. Many historians relate the origins of this style of architecture to the social and political revolution of the time, though others see modern architecture as primarily driven by technological and engineering developments. The availability of new materials such as iron, steel, concrete, and glass brought about new building techniques as part of the industrial revolution. Some regard modern architecture as a reaction against ancient building style. Above all, it is widely accepted as a matter of taste. For the international style, the most commonly used materials are glass for the facade, ...

The World's Tallest Building

Completed in January of 2010, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is currently the world’s tallest building. It stands a whopping 2,717 feet above the ground, more than 1,000 feet taller than the former record holder, Taipei 101. The building was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of SOM, which has designed 5 of the world’s ten tallest buildings. The tower returns the world’s tallest crown to the middle east for the first time since the great pyramids. Structural Design The tower uses a three lobed buttress design to combat the forces of wind, which is the most important structural concern of tall buildings. This shape makes for an extremely tall and thin structure. So much so that even though the structure is almost twice the height of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in Chicago, it encloses only about half the amount of floor space. The layout does make for an efficient wind resistance from any direction, and also gives ample opportunity for window access in the interio...