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How the world’s tallest skyscraper was built - Alex Gendler

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TEDEd Animation

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In 2004, construction began on a new building in Dubai, promising a revolutionary design that would dwarf the rest of the world’s skyscrapers. Five years later, the 828-meter Burj Khalifa was complete, surpassing the previous record-holder by over 60%. What innovations allowed for such a huge leap in height? Alex Gendler digs into the architecture of this unprecedented project.

Why did laborers interrupt the construction with protests?

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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

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Director WOW-HOW Studio
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Sergey Yaroshenko, Alexander Laptev
  • Animator Dmitriy Zaharchuk, Yevhenii Tomynets
  • Art Director Marianna Murashko, Andrew Piskarjow
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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