An impossible tower: the mysterious Saudi plan that could change the history of architecture
Saudi Arabia has once again captured the world’s attention with a plan that, if realized, would redefine the limits of what is possible. A monumental, daring, and technically baffling project, the mere proposal of which is already shaking the foundations of modern engineering. What follows is not just a structural challenge, but a symbol of excessive ambition and national prestige.
### The Enigmatic Project Leaving the World Astonished
Although it has not been officially confirmed yet, leaks about a future megastructure in Saudi Arabia have been increasingly persistent. Specialized media outlets claim that the Saudi Public Investment Fund has already begun receiving proposals to build a new business district in Riyadh, with an absolutely colossal centerpiece: a 2-kilometer-high tower.
Yes, you read that correctly: 2,000 meters. To put it into perspective, the current tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 830 meters. Following it is the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, which barely reaches 679 meters. This Saudi tower would surpass the current leader by more than double and multiply the height of the Eiffel Tower by six, including its antenna.
It is an unprecedented ambition that would make this construction an absolute symbol of architectural supremacy. But it also involves delving into almost unknown territory for structural engineering.
### The Battle Against the Impossible: Technical Challenges with No Clear Solution
The first obstacle that engineers will undoubtedly face is. Neither the most advanced steel nor concrete on the market seem to be prepared to withstand such a titan. To date, there is no proven technology capable of creating stable foundations for a structure of such magnitude.
And that’s not all: even if materials strong enough were found, building at that height with current tools is practically unfeasible. Cranes cannot operate at such an altitude, and the accumulated weight of the building could cause it to collapse on itself. The higher one builds, the more solid the skeleton must be… but that implies more mass, which can be counterproductive.
Every additional meter multiplies the complexity. For experts, this tower not only defies logic but directly flirts with the impossible.
### The Invisible Enemy: Wind and Its Catastrophic Effects
If overcoming the limits of gravity were not enough, there is another equally dangerous problem: the wind. As a structure grows in height, gusts become an exponential risk factor. We are not just talking about aerodynamic resistance, but oscillations that can compromise the entire stability of the building.
Buildings like the Burj Khalifa use giant harmonic dampers to reduce vibrations, a technique also popular in seismic zones like. However, applying this system to a 2-kilometer-high tower would require a colossal damping mass, which creates a new dilemma: how to install it without adding more weight to the building.
This problem alone could make the project structurally unfeasible.
### An Unprecedented Feat… if It Ever Materializes
And these challenges just scratch the surface. As one delves deeper, dozens of equally complex questions emerge: How would elevators be installed to efficiently operate at that height? What evacuation system could operate in case of emergency? How would water, electricity, and drainage networks be distributed in such a gigantic structure?
Despite everything, Saudi Arabia seems determined to turn this dream into reality. The government would be willing to invest over 5 billion dollars to kickstart the project. In a context where architectural giants in the Middle East vie for supremacy with, this could be the next big statement.
Will this impossible skyscraper rise above its own limits? If it succeeds, it will be a feat that will forever change the history of architecture and engineering. And if not, it will stand as a warning about the risks of challenging the unattainable.
