How one design flaw almost toppled a skyscraper - Alex Gendler

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In 1978, Diane Hartley was writing her undergraduate architecture thesis when she made a shocking discovery. After weeks of poring over the Citicorp Center’s building plans, she’d stumbled on an oversight that threatened to topple the 59-story tower into one of New York City’s most densely populated districts. Alex Gendler digs into the skyscraper’s potentially deadly mistake.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Nicholas Paim
  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Alopra Studio
  • Animator Alopra Studio
  • Art Director Nicholas Paim
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma
    • See more creators
Why was Citicorp Center built on columns at the center of each building side?
Why was the skyscraper lighter than usual?
How much did the mass damper weigh?
What was the design change that made building vulnerable?
What was NOT one of the factors preventing the public from learning what happened?
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The Citicorp Tower is now officially known as 601 Lexington, but its history is now used as a case study in architectural and professional ethics. You can read about William LeMesurrier and his other work, learn more about the near-disaster, read the original New Yorker article, or find out more about Diane Hartley, including an interview.

Customize This Lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Nicholas Paim
  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Alopra Studio
  • Animator Alopra Studio
  • Art Director Nicholas Paim
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma
    • See more creators

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