TaiPei 101, Taipei, Taiwan

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Taipei 101 is a 106-floor building (5 floors underground and 101 above the ground) located in Taipei (Taiwan), the height of 509 meters makes it the second highest skyscraper in the world. 56 meters higher than the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). On July 21, 2007 was surpassed in height by Burj Dubai, which when completed will hold the title of world’s tallest building.

The roof of Taipei 101 was completed on July 1, 2003. In a ceremony presided over by Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, the top was placed on October 17, 2003, thus allowing to overcome the height of the Petronas Towers by 50 meters.

Taipei 101 can withstand earthquakes of up to 7 degrees on the Richter scale and winds over 450 km/h. The important absorption capacity of this structure lies in a wind shock with 660 tonnes of metal plates which is located on floor 89, this is the larger and heavier worldwide. Is divided into 8 segments of 8 floors and is the only damper that is visible to the general public.

Furthermore supercolumnas, built in reinforced concrete and steel, embrace it to the floor 26, while 32 other columns rise to the plant 62. The cuts at the corners decrease wind strength and a complex mesh of steel embraces him as a belt that makes a narrowing in the lower reaches of the building and the plant 34. A giant ball of steel, 680 tons is suspended from its upper part, reside on the floor 92 and offset against mechanical vibration, absorbing energy and limiting the oscillations.

Elevator manufactured by Toshiba’s world record in speed in just 37 seconds would take 30 people from the fifth floor to the floor 89, and that’s not all, the elevator system also has a tight seal similar to an airplane. This does not bother the ears of the people in it when traveling. Taipei 101, like all structures spirals, uses the symbolism of the axis mundi: a world where the earth meets the sky and the four corners meet. The high of 101 flats commemorates the renewal of time: the new century came when the towers were under construction (100 +1). It symbolizes the high ideals from a go beyond 100, a number traditionally associated with perfection. Represents the location where the building is, 101 is the postcode of the international business district of Taipei. The number also evokes the binary number system used in digital technology.

taipei101-firework-1354316The main tower includes a set of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese culture the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune. In cultures that observe weeks of seven days the number eight represents the renewal of time (7 +1). In digital technology the number eight is associated with the byte, the basic unit of information.

The repeated segments simultaneously recall the rhythm of an Asian pagoda (a tower that connects the earth with the sky, also evoked in principle Petronas Towers), a stalk of bamboo (a symbol of growth and learning), and a stack of ingots Chinese money boxes (a symbol of abundance). The four discs mounted on each side of the building at the point where the pedestals are joined with the tower represent coins. The emblem placed over entrances shows three gold coins of ancient design with central holes shaped to represent the Arabic numerals 1-0-1. Ruyi Curved figures appear in the structure and ornament. The ruyi is an ancient symbol associated with clouds of heaven. Connotes healing, protection and fulfillment. It is often used in ceremonies to celebrate achievements at work. Each ornament ruyi of Taipei 101 tower is at least 8 meters (26 ft) alto.El mall attached to the curved roof of the building culminates in a colossal ruyi providing shade to passers-by. Although the form of individual ruyis is, your interpretation is entirely modern metal. At night the glow yellow designed by the pinnacle of the building, which helps to simulate the tower is lit a torch for freedom and welcomes visitors. From 6:00 to 10:00 in the afternoon, the lights of a tower out of the seven colors of the color spectrum. The color matches the day of the week. The cycle through the spectrum to the tower connects with the rich symbolism of the rainbow, traditionally seen as a bridge between heaven and earth, and a link between the people of this earth with other worlds. A deep connection with time is found in the park attached to the building as a watch gets its power solely from wind generators the tower. The circular shape of the watch is an echo of the shape of the park. Taipei 101 combines ancient motives and ideas with modern techniques and materials. Like landscape, renews the symbolism of towers as cosmic centers. Images involving their symbols of optimism, abundance and awareness of the cycles of time.

Like many buildings, the Taipei 101 will often change their lighting to remind events. In the picture we see the Taipei 101 with a formula well known in physics that was to commemorate the World Year of Physics 2005. In addition the building is lit with Christmas and has been used repeatedly to launch fireworks and New Year festivities (see picture gallery).

Taipei 101 is so large it is felt that a weight of 700,000 tons has been able to reopen an ancient geological fault that could cause future earthquakes. However, there are geologists who say that this is not true, the weight of excavated soil is equal to the weight of the Taipei 101, which means that there was no change in the force applied to the fault. Near the building there is an airport and the building is so high that they could generate disasters like the attacks on the twin towers. During construction, in March 2002, the city was rocked by an earthquake of force 6, some of the vacuum crane collapsed smashing vehicles and killing five people.