Tokyo Sky Tree set to be second tallest building in the world

on Wednesday,March 02,2011 21:03

In Tokyo, Japan, work is being done on the Tokyo Sky Tree, which was begun in 2008 and expected to close around spring 2012. When it's done, the building will stand at 634 meters, making it the second tallest building in the world and the tallest self-supporting steel structure, according to WorldArchitectureNews.com.

This impressive architectural feat shows inspiration from the historical Japanese design of concave and convex curves that play off of each other to add strength to the building. The triangular base gradually grows into a slender, cylindrical spire.

The cultural traditions will remain when the Tokyo Sky Tree is completed. Alternating lights representing different spirits will illuminate the building day and night.

"The operations are called Iki, the manly spirit held to be the urbane commoners of Edo, and Miyabi, one of the traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals meaning elegance," developer Tobus Railway company explained, the news source reports.

While the 634m of the Tokyo Sky Tree is impressive, it will still be dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa in Abu Dhabi, which reaches a staggering height of 828m, according to a separate article from the news source.