The Sears Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Chicago, but also in the United States. More-over, it has been the world’s tallest building from 1973-1998. Located in the heart of Chicago Downtown, also called the “West Loop” – the city’s premier submarket and home to its largest corporations and commuter rail stations – the Sears Tower today occupies a significant position in Chicago’s city center.
The first skyscrapers were invented in the late 1800s and Chicago has played a major role in the invention. It has been the site of many of the skyscrapers’ stylistic and technical ad-vances. In the phenomenal growth years after the Chicago Fire of 1871, a pool of architectural talent known as the First Chicago School advanced the skyscraper form we know now. This is the reason why the city is also known as “the birthplace of skyscrapers”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Idea and planning
- III. Construction
- IV. Design
- V. The Skydeck
- VI. Facts and Figures
- VII. Which is the tallest?
- VIII. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the Sears Tower, exploring its history, design, and significance as a landmark in Chicago. The paper examines the tower's construction, the motivations behind its creation, its unique design features, and its role as a tourist attraction.- The history and context of the Sears Tower
- The building's design and construction process
- The Sears Tower's role in Chicago's skyline and urban development
- The impact of the Sears Tower on tourism and local economy
- The building's place in the history of skyscraper construction
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the Sears Tower, highlighting its significance as the tallest skyscraper in Chicago and the United States, and its important position in the city's downtown. It also discusses Chicago's role as the "birthplace of skyscrapers" and the historical context of skyscraper development.
- II. Idea and planning: This chapter explores the origins of the Sears Tower project. It describes the motivations of Sears, Roebuck & Company in consolidating their administrative operations into a single building, and the challenges they faced in designing a structure to meet their needs. The chapter also includes insights into the company's sophisticated planning and their aspirations for creating a "tower of the people."
- III. Construction: This chapter details the construction process of the Sears Tower. It highlights the key figures involved in its design and engineering, including Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan. The chapter also discusses the tower's height, its completion date, and the challenges faced during construction. It also touches upon the company's changing fortunes and the tower's eventual vacancy due to Sears' declining growth.
- IV. Design: This chapter delves into the unique design features of the Sears Tower. It discusses the tower's exterior materials, its innovative steel-unit square tube structure, and its exceptional security system. The chapter also highlights the building's multi-tenant occupancy and the amenities it offers.
- V. The Skydeck: This chapter focuses on the Skydeck, a popular tourist attraction located on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower. It describes the Skydeck's location, access, and the stunning views it provides. The chapter also discusses the annual number of visitors and the importance of the Skydeck for Chicago's tourism industry.
- VI. Facts and Figures: This chapter presents various interesting facts about the Sears Tower. It details the building's dimensions, its weight, the number of windows, and its unique swaying characteristics. The chapter also describes the tower's antenna lighting system and its frequent lightning strikes.
- VII. Which is the tallest?: This chapter examines the concept of "tallest building" and the different ways in which skyscrapers are ranked. It provides a historical overview of the various buildings that have held the title of "world's tallest" and explores the different height definitions used by organizations like the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. This chapter compares the height of the Sears Tower with other skyscrapers, including the Petronas Towers, the Taipei 101, and the World Trade Center. It also discusses the upcoming Burj Dubai, which will surpass the Sears Tower in height.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The Sears Tower, Chicago, Skyscraper, Architecture, Design, Construction, Urban Development, Tourism, History, Height, World's Tallest Building, Petronas Towers, Taipei 101, Burj Dubai, World Trade Center.- Quote paper
- Carina Klehr (Author), 2008, The Chicago Sears Tower, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/112015