Standing Tall in the City Modern Marvel of ëSkyscrapersí Showcases Architectural Innovation by Anna Gawel For years, skyscrapers have been a source of awe and wonderómammoth pillars of glass and concrete that seem to reach endlessly into the heavens. ìSkyscrapers: The New Millennium,î a new exhibit at the Octagon Museum organized by The Art Institute of Chicago, tries to capture the allure and mystique of these modern marvels. But skyscrapers have taken on a whole new meaning in light of the World Trade Center bombing. The attacks shattered the image of skyscrapers as invincible, architectural feats that epitomized a nationís prosperity. Suddenly they were no longer safe havens for workplaces, restaurants and shops, but rather potential targets for terrorism. Will fears cause these giants in the skies to become a thing of the past? John Zukowsky, curator of the ìSkyscrapersî exhibit, said that although we cannot predict what will happen, if history is any indicator, skyscrapers are here to stay. ìThere will always be someone who wants to build the biggest football stadium or the tallest skyscraper,î Zukowsky said. During the last recession, for example, Zukowsky pointed out that people mistakenly as sumed that mass construction of new skyscrapers had faded out. ìEveryone was saying skyscrapers were dead, but recessions come and go. In the í90s people were building skyscrapers and not just in one country but all over the world,î he said. Through drawings, plans, photographs and models, ìSkyscrapersî examines the results of this construction boom with more than 30 high-rise buildings spanning the globe. The exhibit also offers a glimpse into some of the first skyscrapers to be completed in the new millennium. The large-scale photographs not only give an in-depth look at each skyscraper, they also provide the context in which they were built. For instance, the Commerzbank Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, rising 62 stories, is shown hovering over the historic churches and marketplaces that dot the cityís otherwise urban landscapeóa classic example of the intermingling of modern and traditional structures evident in so many European cities. A closer look at the Commerzbank shows its glass and metal cross-section exterior and jungle-inspired interior, both of which serve to enhance the ìeco-friendlyî design of the building. The trees and gardens inside are intended to downplay the differences between indoor and outdoor, while the glass windows allow for outside air to be filtered in on warm days. Similarly, the Citygate Ecotower in London stands in stark contrast to the cityís more subdued skyline. A nighttime photo reveals the 1,495-foot structure, which was created to resemble a colossal sail, towering above the rest of the city, as if floating in the wind. The British apparently like having peculiar shapes grace their skylines. Although not as tall as the Citygate, The Swiss Reinsurance London Headquarters is just as striking, emerging as a cross between an enormous capsule and a futuristic space shuttle. The various models in the exhibit also highlight the intricacies and oddities of certain skyscrapers. A replica of the Warsaw Daewoo building in Poland illustrates the skyscraperís bold, semicircular five-story atrium, its rectangular center, and the reverse curve of its top. However, the Warsaw Daewoo design seems tame compared to some of the other quirky structures in the collection. A picture of the Tour Hines in Paris reveals a large gash in the side of the building, which functions as a gathering place for passers-by outside. A sketching of a Westin Hotel in New York City shows a metal-like section of the building that resembles a crumpled sheet of paper. The ongoing international race to build the tallest skyscraper has produced some of the worldís most impressive and distinctive structures. The current prize goes to the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, which edged out the Sears Tower by 30 feet to be the worldís tallest building. Climbing to 1,483 feet, the cylindrical towers are linked by a 160-foot glass sky bridge. Cesar Pelli developed the innovative geometric floor plan, juxtaposing circular and square shapes to fuse the Islamic principles of harmony into the buildingís design. Asia and Southeast Asia are fast becoming leaders in pushing the envelope for skyscrapers. One particularly novel concept is seen in the Wan Xiang International Plaza in Shanghai, China. The skyscraperís jagged profile and transparent glass exterior exposes a concrete-steel frame that zigzags down the side of the building, giving the impression of a gigantic piece of string hanging from each floor. But by far one of the most beautiful designs is that of the Kowloon MTR Tower in Hong Kong. Here, the gleaming dark windows reflect each triangular cut and serration of the building, giving the structure an arresting, dynamic feel. One final model worth visiting stands by the bookstore across from the museum. It is a six-foot-plus replica of the World Trade Center towers. The detail of the model eerily brings back the realization of just what was taken down that tragic day, but at the same time it reminds us of the power of skyscrapers as national symbols of pride and of the pioneering spirit of their architects. ìSkyscrapers: The New Millenniumî is now on display at the Octagon Museum, 1799 New York Ave., NW, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through April 28. Please call (202) 638-3221 for more information. Anna Gawel is the assistant editor for The Washington Diplomat.