building frenzy

I am beginning to appreciate skyscraper architecture. To me (and I think many others), most skyscrapers were an ugly product of modernist architecture. Luckily for my generation, we have moved beyond modernism and architects are now paying attention to the aesthetics of a building and not just its functionality.

In Korea, there are plans for 7 new skyscrapers all over 100 stories high. This building on the left will be built near Yongsan, Seoul. If completed as scheduled in 2013, it will be the second tallest building in the world, after the Burj Dubai. The Burj Dubai when completed in 2008 will be about half a mile long with at least 164 floors! Before the Burj Dubai, the Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world. Other new buildings being built are the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Freedom Tower in New York City, the Russia Tower, the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong, the Incheon Tower in Korea, and the Chicago Spire. Images of these buildings are below in their respective order.