A skyscraper either makes or breaks a skyline. It can symbolize the essence of a place and its people and history, becoming an icon, creating tourism and boosting the economy. But there’s also the chance it will become an eyesore, resented by citizens and mocked by visitors.
Taipei 101 in Taiwanʼs capital beautifully fits into the first description, standing as a testament to creativity and engineering prowess high above the surrounding sprawl.
Its eight-tiered, green-tinted glass facade resembles an elegant bamboo stalk and evokes a pagoda, drawing on local culture and nature in the design. With 101 floors, it also represents renewal of the New Year, and on New Yearʼs Eve, it lights up with a dazzling fireworks spectacle. At 1,667 feet tall, Taipei 101 held the title of world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2010, when Dubaiʼs Burj Khalifa was completed. It is currently the worldʼs tallest “green” building; its water- and energy-saving systems have earned it Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
I have mixed feelings when it comes to tall buildings. The mere thought of being so high up makes my legs wobbly, but I never can resist the opportunity for such an incredible view.
So, after purchasing a ticket to visit Taipei 101 (about $20), I found myself rocketing from the fifth floor to the 89th floor at a speed of nearly 38 mph — which, until 2016, was recognized by the Guinness World Records.
I stepped out to a world in the sky, taking in the 360-degree panorama. The verdant mountains of Yangmingshan National Park and other peaks sat at the visible edge of the view, and the number of rooftops covered by trees in the city surprised me.
Another mind-bending sight awaits inside the tower. To counteract frequent earthquakes and high winds, Taipei 101 has the worldʼs largest tuned mass damper (and the only one open to the public). This 18-foot diameter, 660-ton steel sphere acts as a pendulum, minimizing the building’s sway.
Thankfully, it did its job, and I made it back to solid ground, happy that I made the ascent.
The Details
Taipei 101
www.taipei-101.com
