The pyramid is the simplest form of construction, practical to execute and stable. Now, what about these pyramids is another matter.
The tallest pyramid in the ancient world is in Egypt, it measures 139 meters and originally reached 148 meters, because in the estimated 4,590 years that it has been standing, it has diminished its height. It is called the Pyramid of Giza or Cheops, after the pharaoh who had it built, and experts say that it was built in 30 years, using 2.3 million stone blocks. Incredible? I would not dare to affirm it, but it is impressive, therefore, it has become one of the 7 wonders of the world.
The pyramid of NYC
But the modern world could not miss the opportunity to immortalize the pyramidal shape and, from the last century to the present, there is always some modern architect capable of finding a way to make a building using this popular geometric shape. For example, the most popular city in the world, New York, has its pyramid, one higher than the current one of the good Cheops. Its name is Via 57 West and it reaches 142 meters in height. It faces the Hudson River and is home to 36 apartments as unique as the building. BIG’s architects, Bjarke Ingels, built a huge courtyard inside, in which there is now a park.
2. The pyramid of Bahrain
In Manama, the capital of Bahrain, we will find the second modern pyramid or, rather, a set of pyramids, since the Bahrain World Trade Center skyscraper is made up of two identical towers that share an axis, although they are slightly offset. It was inaugurated in 2008 and its two towers reach 50 floors, reaching an altitude of 240 meters. But the best thing is that it is the first building to include wind turbines in its design, which makes it a benchmark for sustainability. They must be very proud of Atkins, the design team.
3. In San Francisco
If in the United States there is a pyramidal reference in the form of a skyscraper, we must necessarily talk about San Francisco, where the Transamerica Pyramid is located, a spectacular building that reaches 260 meters in height and is composed of four perfectly symmetrical sides. Lovers of superhero movies may already have recognized him, as he appears in the Venom film. The design was carried out by William L. Pereira, a futuristic architect born in 1909 in Chicago, who introduced two lateral projections to accommodate the elevators and stairwells. The construction of the pyramid was completed in 1972 and the façade is made of crushed quartz.
4. Saudi Arabia
On the Arabian peninsula we find another pyramid-shaped skyscraper. On this occasion, its design was carried out by the fireproof architecture studio Foster and Partners. Its altitude is 267 meters and its shape is truly exquisite: four columns in the corners curve gently up to the coronation, in which a huge silver sphere contains a rotating restaurant, and just below it a vertigo viewpoint. In short, a luxury for all the senses. In addition, this commercial pyramid built in 2000 in Saudi Arabia, raises its figure through horizontal sections of aluminum and glass.
5. The highest in Europe, in London
We crossed the Atlantic to enter the former territory of the European Union, that is, London, where we glimpse the most modern pyramidal skyscraper so far: The Shard. It reaches 306 meters in height, becoming the roof of the London city and, therefore, of the United Kingdom. Its 95 stories high (73 habitable) are occupied by private residences, the Shangri-La hotel, restaurants, offices, shops and a spectacular viewpoint at 244 meters. This building, which was inaugurated in 2013 and is currently an important economic benchmark for the city, which will serve to alleviate Brexit.
6. North Korea, 25 for years to finish
A little higher is the next skyscraper. In addition to height, the building bears a curious similarity to the pyramid of Cheops: it took 25 years to build, from 1987 to 2013, an enormous amount of time for a modern building. The Ryugyong Hotel is located in North Korea, reaches 330 meters high and is consolidated as the tallest tower in the country. Inside, it has room for 3,000 users and its spectacular pyramid shape in two sections is a symbol that is illuminated every night with 100,000 led lights. The architecture studio that made this impressive skyscraper is called Baikdoosan Architects & Engineers.
7. The highest in the world in Dubai
We reached the world summit in the shape of a pyramid. In this case, it is a stepped pyramid and is consolidated as the tallest skyscraper in the world: the Burj Khalifa, a construction that reduces its size as it climbs the skies. Its construction ended in 2010, and its highest part is at 828 meters, a feat that crowned his architecture studio, SOM (Skidmore Owings & Merrill). Although its construction cost 1,370 million euros, since its inauguration it has become the tourist hub of Dubai. And there is nothing like having the tallest skyscraper in the world.
8. Jeddah Tower, an architectural feat
To finish the list of the most impressive pyramid-shaped buildings in the world, we show you the one that will replace the Burj Khalifa as the highest tower on the planet: the Jeddah Tower. This skyscraper is being built in Saudi Arabia and when it is finished it will be 1,000 meters high, a complete constructive and architectural feat. The architects of the Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture studio have designed the tower in such a way that on its 157th floor an enormous platform of 30 square meters of surface stands out, wonderful. We don’t know if these massive buildings will survive as long as the pyramids of Egypt, but we can guess that there will be others that will take this shape in the future.