Building Address: 233 South Wacker Dr
Originally designed in the late 60’s by Architect Bruce Graham and Structural Engineer Fazlur R. Khan of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill for Chicago-based Sears, Roebuck and Co, Sears Tower was topped out in May of 1973 — over 36 years ago.
My Dad, Frantz studied under Fazlur Kahn. I think that Mr. Kahn was the person who most influenced Frantz. After graduating from Architecture, Frantz immediately went on to get a masters in Structural Engineering. Growing up, I would ask my dad why he studied structural engineering and he would always tell me, “Architects make things look good, Engineers make them stand up.” After working in the industry my entire life I have thought a lot about what he said and what he meant and I prefer to say “Architects design the experience, Engineers make it work.” I always wondered if Mr. Kahn was the person who first said that to my dad.
construction began in August of 1970
1974 marks the end of a boom in America. The next tallest building happen overseas in the Middle east and Orient. Societies are different there and so the buildings reflect this difference.
Great Website dedicated to the building: http://www.searstower.org/home.html
Of the 15 tallest buildings in the world in 2011, two are in that great architectural mecca known as Chicago, Illinois. Only three other cities in the world can claim that two building distinction and all are in Asia; Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Shanghai.
The first building in Chicago to make the list is the Willis Tower, the eighth tallest in the world tallest as of December 2011. It was built under the more affectionately known name of the Sears Tower, as it is still commonly referred to by most Chicagoans. Originally completed in 1973, it was 22% and 300 feet taller than the next tallest building of its’ day, far outshadowing all predecessors. The Sears Tower has the had the honorable distinction of being the reigning tallest for a solid 24 years. It was surpassed in 1998, when the Malaysians’ built the twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, with the worlds highes two-story bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors. No other building holds that distiction, none even come close. The twin Petronas Towers held the title for only 10 years.
The second Chicago building in the top 15, is the Trump Tower. As number ten on the world’s tallest list it was completed in 2009 and is about 270 feet shorter and has 10 fewer floors than Sears. As modern skyscrapers go the Sears Tower may have a new name but it’s still Sears to me and 37 years later I still find it impressive. Look here to check out diagrams of the world tallest buildings.
