Reaching for the sky

08 May 2024 CW Team

Post 1850 with the advent of modern day cement carved ways to build stronger structures and by the turn of the 19th century we were building stronger and taller structures. Ingalls Building in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (completed in 1903), standing 210 feet tall, became the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper.

The use of steel, as a stronger and lighter material than iron, further enabled construction of taller buildings. The Ritz Hotel in London became the first steel framed structure, 235 feet tall. With the increasing population the skyscrapers, which were earlier seen as only a form for commercial buildings, became a form of residential buildings as well. Post World War II, Glass curtain walls became the modern identity of urban morphology in many cities across the globe.

The 20th century saw the world’s tallest building at that time standing at 792 feet, ‘The Woolworth Building in New York City (completed in 1913) was the world’s tallest building at the time, standing at 792 feet (241 meters). By the end of the century The Empire State Building of New York took the rank with 1250 feet height.

The 20th and 21st century saw the need for energy conservation as an integral component of skyscraper designs. Fast forward to today - Burj Khalifa, Dubai, stands at 2717 feet, as the tallest building and an epitome as nothing less than a construction marvel. Kingdom Tower, Jeddah and Azerbaijan Tower, Baku stand as strong contenders for the future to ‘touch the sky’.

Ashima Banker, Director, Chandigarh University Institute of Design

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Human being’s have always had the aspiration to ‘reach for the sky’. From the 10th century 239.5 feet tall Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu to the 30th century pyramids of Egypt initially standing tall at 481 feet height, construction technological advancements have constantly enabled taller structures being constructed across the globe.Post 1850 with the advent of modern day cement carved ways to build stronger structures and by the turn of the 19th century we were building stronger and taller structures. Ingalls Building in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (completed in 1903), standing 210 feet tall, became the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper.The use of steel, as a stronger and lighter material than iron, further enabled construction of taller buildings. The Ritz Hotel in London became the first steel framed structure, 235 feet tall. With the increasing population the skyscrapers, which were earlier seen as only a form for commercial buildings, became a form of residential buildings as well. Post World War II, Glass curtain walls became the modern identity of urban morphology in many cities across the globe.The 20th century saw the world’s tallest building at that time standing at 792 feet, ‘The Woolworth Building in New York City (completed in 1913) was the world’s tallest building at the time, standing at 792 feet (241 meters). By the end of the century The Empire State Building of New York took the rank with 1250 feet height.The 20th and 21st century saw the need for energy conservation as an integral component of skyscraper designs. Fast forward to today - Burj Khalifa, Dubai, stands at 2717 feet, as the tallest building and an epitome as nothing less than a construction marvel. Kingdom Tower, Jeddah and Azerbaijan Tower, Baku stand as strong contenders for the future to ‘touch the sky’.Ashima Banker, Director, Chandigarh University Institute of Design

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..