New Delhi: Skyscraper Day is observed annually on September 3 to honour the incredible engineering and architectural feats that allow these towering structures to dominate city skylines worldwide. Now, many countries are developing the tallest buildings. In this article, let us look at why a need for Skyscraper Day and when was it started first.
Skyscraper Day 2024: When was it started?
September 3 is celebrated as Skyscraper Day in honour of Louis H Sullivan’s birthday. Born in 1856, Sullivan is recognised as the “father of skyscrapers.”
Sullivan, a pioneering American architect, significantly impacted skyscraper design and is known for coining the famous adage, “form follows function,” which has become a fundamental principle in modern architecture. His innovative work laid the foundation for future skyscrapers and inspired architects worldwide to create iconic buildings.
Why need a Skyscraper Day?
Skyscrapers are towering human creativity and innovation symbols which seamlessly fuse artistic vision with cutting-edge technology.
To honour these feats, Skyscraper Day was established. This day is a tribute to these impressive architectural wonders, which shine the urban skylines’ striking beauty and act as bustling centres for economic and social activities.
These monumental beauties are integral to commerce and residential life, fostering dynamic and inclusive cityscapes.
Additionally, the day is a tribute to the brilliant engineers and architects who surmount significant technical challenges to bring these groundbreaking towers to life.
Quick Facts
The first skyscrapers, defined as buildings with 40 or more floors, emerged in the late 19th century due to rapid urbanisation, advances in steel construction, and the elevator’s invention.
The first ever skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1885. It stood at a height of only 138 meters. Today, China has the most skyscrapers, with over 3,000 buildings, around 120 of which are over 300 meters tall.
India has over 200 skyscrapers, and the era of skyscrapers began with the completion of the LIC Building in Chennai in 1959. The tallest under-construction skyscraper in India is the Palais Royale in Mumbai, which stands at 320 metres.
The Burj Khalifa is currently the world’s tallest building at 830 metres.
The upcoming Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia will become the world’s tallest building upon completion, reaching a height of 1 kilometre (3,281 feet).
The US has around 900 skyscrapers, with 31 of them being more than 300 metres tall.
Skyscraper Day is celebrated on September 3 every year to honour the world’s amazing architectural feats. Read on to learn when and why the Day was established. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
