CITIES IN THE SKY The Quest to Build the World's Tallest Skyscrapers

Kirby Heyborne is a lively guide through this history of the world's tallest buildings and discussion of current developments in skyscraper design. Though arguments can be made for why living in them has some drawbacks, the author believes there is much to admire both visually and financially in their evolving role in urban landscapes. And the trend of mixing corporate offices with residential, retail, and recreational space also brings much-needed public spaces into dense downtowns. As architects and developers vie for who can construct the tallest building, the obstacles they must overcome result in a stream of technical and environmental breakthroughs. Heyborne's enthusiasm will keep listeners engaged in learning about where architecture and the future of "livable" cities might be headed. L.W.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]