March 27 - Skyscraper Day in the U.S.

Posted on March 27, 2021

Key points

This is an update of my post published on March 27, 2010

There seems to be a bit of confusion over the title “Skyscraper Day.” According to some websites, September 3 is Skyscraper Day, and according to other websites, it’s March 27….Hmm, I like skyscrapers…can we celebrate them both days?

Do you know how skyscrapers are built? If you answered, “From the ground up,” you are right! (They sure aren’t built from the top down!)

Here is a time-lapse video of a skyscraper being built. Also there is an article here and an awesome and informative LEGO-themed video here!

What country has the tallest skyscraper in the world? Find the answers courtesy of this YouTube video on the evolution of the world’s tallest skyscrapers (with VERY dramatic music!).

Chicago (above) was the early world leader
in skyscraper building, and soon after New York City,
but now Asian cities from Hong Kong (below)
to Dubai (two below) – and many others! – are
the world’s leaders in skyscrapers.

What country had the first skyscraper? The U.S. is credited with having all ten of the oldest skyscrapers! Find out more about the history of skyscrapers from this video.

Why are there so few skyscrapers in Europe, compared to North America and Asia? Check out this video.

What happens when a skyscraper becomes so old and run down that it isn’t safe, or it needs to be replaced? Well, first the demolition experts are asked to come “bring down” the old building, as you can see here. It’s super fun to watch demo explosions, especially when you use slo-mo and rewind options – but most skyscrapers exist in really crowded city centers, and they have to be disposed of more slowly and carefully. Like this.

Not your grandmother’s skyscrapers

Skyscrapers aren’t all boring rectangular-box shapes; as a matter of fact, there are many different shapes in modern skyscrapers. Check out the Dubai skyscraper with rotating floors. Then take a peek at the variety of skyscraper shapes shown here.

Drawing skyscrapers

Damien from Australia does a great job at making scale drawings! Check out his diagrams for each height range of buildings in the middle of the home page. As one example, here is the “300 m and over” diagram.

Try your hand at creating skyscraper pictures using your computer paint program!

Skyscrapers in our future?

Some architects are looking forward to ultra-safe skyscrapers that are sort of “nested” in a steel mesh. The thing is, robots will be needed to build the skyscrapers.

Some scientists are planning how we can house people in AND grow food on skyscrapers! It’s called vertical farming (three vertical farms are shown here, above). Here’s another version of the vertical farm.

Make a model skyscraper – or an entire skyscraper-scape.

Use Legos, or a model-building kit, or boxes and paper and tape and a lot of imagination. Here is a glimpse of some model skyscrapers to get you inspired! (Scroll down.)

Here are some how-to tips for building cardboard skyscrapers.

Graphic designer Maria Gonzalez built
this Empire State Building out of cardboard,
cleverly using the corrugation to provide
depth with window details!

Here are some amazing Lego skyscrapers.

Legoland has some amazing skyscraper-scapes.
They look a lot more like “the real thing” – until
you see the LEGO builder interacting with
the scene!

Those who ache to build a LEGO skyscraper
but who lack the confidence to do it on their own
can buy one of the many LEGO Architecture kits
and get an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide!

Take the Skyscraper Challenge.

Check it out...if this book is available at your library: Skyscrapers!: Super Structures to Design & Build, by Carol A. Johmann.

Have a happy Skyscraper Day!

Also on this date:

Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s birthday

Anniversary of the invention of modern shoelaces

Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day

Anniversary of the first time fingerprints solved a case

Plant Cells Day

Armed Forces Day in Myanmar (aka Burma)

Actor Ram Charan’s birthday

World Theatre Day

National Scribble Day

Earth Hour Tonight 8:30 to 9:30

Tonight, from 8:30 – 9:30 local time, turn off your lights and electronic devices and have candle-light fun of some sort. If everyone does it, a lot of energy is saved!