Art of the Skyscrapper: The Genius of Fazlur Khan - Tapa dura

Fazlur Rahman Khan was born in Bangladesh in 1929 and immigrated to the United States in 1950. His innovative approach to tall building design and attention to esthetic detail earned him the reputation as the "Einstein of Structural Engineering." A Partner and Chief Structural Engineer of the world-renowned firm of Skidmore, Owens & Merrill, Khan developed the bundled-tube configuration, a revolutionary concept in tall building structure that virtually redefined the limits of the skyscraper. "The Art of the Skyscraper" is the first serious study of Khan's work and life3/4from the 1950s when he studied at the University of Illinois, to the 1970s when the world watched as his phenomenal designs for the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower rose out of the Chicago skyline, to the 1980s when his engineering principles began to change urban skylines everywhere, with buildings that include the Bank of China Building in Hong Kong and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today's world's tallest building. With illustrations and detailed drawings, this intriguing monograph is an invaluable resource for students, architects, engineers and readers interested in skyscrapers.

Mir Ali is professor and chairman of the Structures Division at the University of Illinois. He is editor of CTBUH Review, the electronic journal of the Tall Building Council.