When buildings get this large, even the smallest issue has the potential to be an enormous problem for designers.
Must be earthquake- and wind-proof.
In the harbor of Hong Kong, Millennium Tower will have to withstand monsoons and powerful earthquakes.Designers determined a round structure would alleviate the wind resistance found in a traditional rectangular building. And varying its width from top to bottom would help to dissipate vibration. Millennium Tower's height may also actually help it shake slower than its smaller counterparts during an earthquake. With the addition of dampers and motion-sensors, engineers expect the tower to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 on the Richter scale, and winds of up to 200 mph.
Get people where they want to go - and fast.
Even though they could be built to run up to 34 mph, passengers' eardrums could rupture at that speed, so the elevators will probably run at around 15 mph.Some cars will hold about 160 people and express elevators will stop at "sky lobbies" located every 30 floors where passengers can change to local service.Other cars may even be able to move horizontally. Innovations like these may be necessary to move about 100,000 people a day.
Give the people what they want.
