In the Making: A Rare Journey Through Iconic Landmark Construction

Take a journey through time and witness the creation of some of the world’s most iconic landmarks with ‘In the Making.’ This exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at landmark construction offers a rare glimpse into the magic and beauty of these buildings before they are completed. From the pouring of the foundation to the installation of the final pieces, ‘In the Making’ promises to showcase the hard work and artistry that goes into every step of the construction process. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of these landmarks as they come to life and discover the history and significance behind each project. Join us for a unique and unforgettable journey through iconic landmark construction.

#1 Construction of the twin towers, World Trade Center

The World Trade Center was a complex of buildings located in Lower Manhattan, New York City, which included the iconic Twin Towers. Construction of the World Trade Center began in 1966, and the Twin Towers were completed in 1973. The towers were designed by Minoru Yamasaki, an American architect, and were constructed by a team of thousands of workers.

The construction of the Twin Towers was a massive engineering project, with each tower standing at a height of 417 meters (1,368 feet) and consisting of 110 floors. The towers were constructed using a unique steel-frame design that allowed for their impressive height. The steel was made in Pittsburgh and transported to New York City, where it was assembled into the towers’ frames.

Construction of the Twin Towers was a dangerous job, and 60 workers lost their lives during the construction process. However, the towers quickly became a symbol of New York City and a popular tourist attraction, with millions of visitors each year. Unfortunately, the Twin Towers were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. Today, the site is home to the One World Trade Center, a skyscraper that stands at a height of 541 meters (1,776 feet), and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the attacks.

#2 Construction of the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was engineered by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower.

The statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and is made of copper, with a steel framework. It is 151 feet tall and weighs 225 tons. The statue depicts a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tablet upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence. A broken chain lies at her feet.

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy and has become one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It has been a National Monument since 1924 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The statue has undergone numerous renovations and restorations over the years and is now open to the public for tours.

#3 Construction of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower located in Paris, France, and it was built between 1887 and 1889. The tower was constructed as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, which was held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel and his team of engineers, and it stands at a height of 324 meters (1,063 feet), making it the tallest structure in Paris.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower was a remarkable engineering feat for its time. It was built using over 18,000 individual wrought-iron pieces, which were designed and fabricated in Eiffel’s factory in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris. The pieces were then transported to the construction site and assembled using steam-powered cranes and hydraulic jacks. The tower’s foundation was excavated to a depth of over 15 meters (49 feet), and the base of the tower is over 100 meters (328 feet) on each side. The Eiffel Tower was officially opened on March 31, 1889, and it quickly became a symbol of Paris and a popular tourist attraction, with over 7 million visitors each year.

#4 Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through-arch bridge located in Sydney, Australia. It was constructed between 1924 and 1932 and took eight years to build. The bridge was designed by John Bradfield, an Australian engineer, and was constructed by a team of over 1,400 workers.

The construction of the bridge was a major engineering project of its time. To build it, workers had to construct two massive concrete piers on either side of the harbor, which were then used as the foundations for the steel arch. The arch was built using hand riveting and welding, and it was constructed outwards from each end until the two sides met in the middle. The construction of the bridge was a dangerous job, and 16 workers lost their lives during the project. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is still an iconic landmark of Australia and a testament to the engineering skills and ingenuity of its builders.

#5 The Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is a large statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue was designed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted by French artist Paul Landowski. Construction of the statue began in 1922 and was completed in 1931, taking a total of nine years to build.

The construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue was a remarkable engineering feat for its time. The statue stands at a height of 30 meters (98 feet) and sits atop the Corcovado mountain, which is over 700 meters (2,300 feet) tall. To build the statue, workers had to first construct a massive concrete pedestal on the mountain, which was then used as the foundation for the statue. The pedestal is 8 meters (26 feet) tall, and the statue itself weighs over 635 metric tons (700 short tons).

The statue itself was constructed using reinforced concrete and covered with soapstone panels. Workers used a series of scaffolds and cranes to position the panels in place, and the statue was assembled piece by piece. The construction of the statue was a difficult and dangerous job, with workers having to climb up and down the mountain and work at great heights. The statue’s arms alone are 28 meters (92 feet) wide, making it one of the largest art deco statues in the world. Today, the statue is a symbol of Brazilian Christianity and a major tourist attraction, with millions of visitors coming to see it each year.

#6 Making of Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is an iconic performing arts center located in Sydney, Australia. Construction of the Opera House began in 1959, and it was completed in 1973. The building was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who won an international design competition to create the Opera House.

The construction of the Opera House was a complex engineering project that took over 14 years to complete. The building features a unique sail-like design, with large white concrete shells that cover the main performance halls. To construct the shells, a complex system of steel arches was erected, and precast concrete panels were attached to the arches. The panels were then covered with a layer of white tiles, giving the building its distinctive appearance.

The construction of the Sydney Opera House was not without its challenges. The project was plagued by budget overruns and construction delays, and Utzon ultimately resigned from the project in 1966 due to disagreements with the government. However, the building was eventually completed under the supervision of other architects and engineers, and it quickly became a symbol of modern Australia. Today, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a major cultural institution, hosting over 1,500 performances each year.

#7 Under construction Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and was completed in 2010, with the building officially opening on January 4, 2010. The building was designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and was developed by the Dubai-based Emaar Properties.

The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at a height of 828 meters (2,716 feet). The construction of the Burj Khalifa was a complex engineering project that involved the use of innovative technologies and building materials. The building features a unique Y-shaped design that was specifically engineered to reduce wind forces on the building, which could otherwise cause structural issues. To support the weight of the building, a total of 192 piles, each 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in diameter, were drilled into the ground.

The building is made primarily of reinforced concrete and features a sleek, modern design that has become an iconic symbol of Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is home to a mix of residential, commercial, and office space, and it also features observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors, offering stunning views of Dubai and the surrounding area. The construction of the Burj Khalifa was a major achievement in modern engineering and stands as a testament to the creativity and innovation of human ingenuity.

#8 Golden Gate Bridge, San Fransisco

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Golden Gate Strait, which connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. The bridge was designed by American engineer Joseph Strauss and was built between 1933 and 1937. It is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States.

The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was a monumental engineering project that required innovative design and construction techniques. The bridge is made of steel and features two main cables that run the length of the bridge, supporting the roadway and the pedestrian walkways. The cables are anchored on either end of the bridge, and the weight of the bridge is transferred to the ground through two massive concrete anchorages.

During construction, workers had to deal with strong ocean currents, high winds, and dense fog, making the construction process both challenging and dangerous. To build the bridge, workers used a combination of traditional and innovative techniques, such as cantilevered scaffolding, to support the construction of the bridge’s massive towers. In addition, the bridge’s signature orange color was chosen both for its aesthetic appeal and its visibility in the dense San Francisco fog.

#9 In the Making of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a large sculpture carved into the granite face of a mountain in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, United States. The sculpture features the faces of four US presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. It was designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and was carved between 1927 and 1941..

The construction of Mount Rushmore was a massive undertaking that required innovative techniques and years of hard work. To carve the faces of the presidents into the granite, Borglum used a combination of traditional and modern tools, including dynamite, jackhammers, and chisels. The carving process was dangerous and required workers to hang from ropes and platforms thousands of feet above the ground.

#10 Great Wall Of China

The Great Wall of China was built over a period of several centuries, with some sections dating back as far as the 7th century BCE. The wall was built to protect China from invading armies from the north, particularly from the Mongolian and Manchurian tribes. The construction of the wall was a massive undertaking that involved the labor of millions of workers over several dynasties. It is estimated that up to one million people may have died during the construction of the wall due to harsh working conditions, disease, and accidents.

The construction of the Great Wall varied depending on the materials available and the terrain of the area. In some areas, such as the Gobi Desert, the wall was built using tamped earth. In other areas, such as the mountainous regions of the north, the wall was made of stone and brick. The wall was constructed in sections, with each section being built by a different dynasty or ruler.

The construction process involved the use of manual labor to transport and place the materials. Workers would use wooden scaffolding to reach the higher parts of the wall and would use carts and animals to transport materials from quarries or other sources. In some cases, water was used to transport materials, such as when barges were used to move bricks along rivers.

Despite its impressive size and construction, the Great Wall of China was not completely effective in stopping invading armies. The wall was breached numerous times throughout its history, and in some cases, invaders were able to bypass the wall altogether by simply crossing the Yellow River or other bodies of water.