Tower Power in Tokyo!

source: reuters

We are most excited about the newly-opened Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest free-standing tower at 634 meters/2092 feet. According to Kenji Hall of Monocle, on a clear day, from the highest observation point inside the structure (451.2 meters above street level) you may actually see the curvature of the earth - quite amazing! Similar to Japan's world class Shinkansen (bullet train) transport system and auto industry, Tokyo Skytree is testimony to the Japanese meticulous attention to quality and precision in every detail. 

Building and planning for the tower took more than seven years under the guiding light of sculptor Kiichi Sumikawa and noteworthy architect Tadao Ando. In order to plan for earthquakes and typhoons, the construction team set up weather balloons to measure wind speeds and used sophisticated computer simulation software. Based on Sumikawa's suggestions, they even borrowed design elements from Japan's 1400 year-old five-tiered wooden pagodas. It looks like the preparations paid off when the magnitude 9 earthquake that struck off Japan's Pacific coast on 3/11/11 caused no damage to the nearly finished tower.

- Randy Lynch, Kipling & Clark