Supertall

How the World's Tallest Buildings Are Reshaping Our Cities and Our Lives

The global boom in skyscrapers—why it’s happening now, how they’re made, and what they do to cities and people.

Reviews and Endorsements of Supertall

“A thoughtful inquiry into the new generations of skyscrapers…There is a lot of rich history here, well and concisely told (and illustrated with superb line drawings, a refreshing change).”
― Paul Goldberger, New York Times Book Review

“Fascinating and extraordinarily worthwhile.”
— John Tammy, Forbes

“Lucid… [T]he story of what’s come about in the age of the supertall is gripping.”
― Anthony Paletta, Wall Street Journal

"An informative introduction to supertalls and the global cities where they rise above the skyline."
― Kirkus Reviews (recommended)

"In Supertall, Stefan Al turns the jumbled skylines of our biggest cities into a powerful story of human possibility.”
― Andrew Blum, best-selling author of Tubes

"Lighter concrete, faster elevators, and even faster-growing cities are part of the formula... in this foundational book."
― Aaron Betsky, author of Architecture Matters

“Stefan Al draws on the exhilarating history of skyscrapers and his own work as an architect… The result is a fascinating and necessary book.”
― Gwendolyn Wright, author of USA: Modern Architectures in History

Synopsis of Supertall

We are living in a new urban age, and its most tangible expression is the “supertall”: megastructures that are dramatically bigger, higher, and more ambitious than any in history.

Cities around the world are racing to build the first mile-high building, stretching the limits of engineering and design as never before.

In this fascinating work of urban history and design, TED resident Stefan Al—himself an experienced architect—explores the factors that have led to this worldwide boom. He reveals the marvelous and underappreciated feats of engineering that make today’s supertalls a reality, from double-decker elevators that silently move up to 50 miles per hour to the sophisticated blend of polymers and steel fibers that enables concrete to withstand 8,000 tons of pressure per square meter. Taking readers behind the scenes of the building and design of remarkable megastructures, both from the past (the Empire State Building, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower) and the present (Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, London’s Shard, Shanghai Tower), Al demonstrates the impact of these innovations.

Yet while the supertall is undoubtedly a testament to great technological victories, it can come at an environmental and social cost. Focusing on four global cities—London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore—Al examines the risks of wealth inequality, carbon emissions, and contagion that stem from supertalls. And he uncovers the latest innovations in sustainable building, from skyscrapers made of wood to tree-covered buildings, that promise to yield a better urban future.

Featuring more than thirty architectural drawings, Supertall is both a fascinating exploration of our greatest accomplishments and a powerful argument for a more equitable way forward.

INTRODUCTION
The Era of the Supertall

Part I. TECHNOLOGY

ONE
The Building Block that Binds the World: Concrete

TWO
The Fight Against Sway: Wind

THREE
The Race to the Top: Elevators

FOUR
The Cooling Effect: Air Conditioning

Part II. SOCIETY

FIVE
The Rules That Shape Skylines: London

SIX
The Competition for Air Rights: New York

SEVEN
The Transit System That Supports Skyscrapers: Hong Kong

EIGHT
The Greening of Vertical Cities: Singapore

CONCLUSION
The Future of Tall Buildings and a More Sustainable World