NESTLED in the middle of a forest, a towering structure almost as tall as London’s iconic Shard rises dramatically above the trees.
But instead of being a luxury skyscraper full of offices or apartments, no one lives there — because the giant tower is dedicated entirely to testing lifts.
AlamyThe TK Elevator Testturm is located in Rottweil, Germany[/caption]
GettyThe tower stands at an impressive 807ft, almost as tall as the 1,000ft Shard[/caption]
The TK Elevator Testturm, standing at an impressive 807ft, is a cutting-edge facility designed to push elevator technology to new heights.
Built in 2017 by engineering giant TK Elevator, the structure houses 12 shafts where next-generation lifts are tested, including high-speed models and groundbreaking “MULTI” systems that can move both vertically and horizontally.
The Testturm’s location is as surprising as its function.
Sitting in the quiet, medieval town of Rottweil, Germany, the tower stands in stark contrast to its historic surroundings and forests.
While its height is comparable to The Shard in London – which reaches 1,016ft – this tower isn’t home to luxury apartments or offices, but a laboratory for innovation.
Engineers and architects from across the globe visit the site to trial cutting-edge designs and ensure the safety of next-generation elevators.
To locals, the Testturm is not just an industrial facility but also a cultural landmark.
The tower features a viewing platform at 761ft, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps.
Since its opening to the public, the observation deck has become a popular tourist attraction.
The tower’s standout feature is the testing of TK Elevator’s MULTI system, which promises to revolutionise urban architecture.
Unlike traditional lifts that rely on cables, MULTI employs magnetic levitation, enabling cabins to move seamlessly in multiple directions.
This innovation could significantly reduce waiting times in skyscrapers and allow for new building designs that break away from the conventional vertical blueprint.
Its façade is also designed to reduce wind-induced vibrations, blending futuristic technology with sustainability.
While the Testturm is a feat of engineering, it has not been without its share of debate.
Some critics initially questioned its place in the serene forest landscape, but over time, many locals have embraced the structure.
Its sleek, modern design and integration into the community, including partnerships with local schools and engineering programs, have helped it become a source of pride.
GettyThe elevator test tower sits in the middle of a quiet forest village[/caption]
AlamyThose wanting to visit the TK Elevator Testturm can enjoy panoramic views from the tower’s observation deck.[/caption]
AlamyThe giant tower is dedicated entirely to testing lifts[/caption]
It comes as incredible plans for the world’s tallest skyscraper designed to be a “giant battery” have been revealed.
The architecture firm behind iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa and One World Trade Center have teamed up with an energy giant to turn the unbelievable concept into a reality.
Looking to develop new gravity energy storage solutions, they developed the incredible design for a futuristic skyscraper that’s a whopping three times bigger than The Shard.
The mega-building would use an electricity-powered motor to lift giant blocks into the air when electricity demand is low.
These elevator-like blocks would then store the electricity as “potential” energy.
But when the city’s energy needs increasing, the blocks would be lowered, transforming the energy back into electricity.
The super-tower could reach incredible heights of up to a whopping 3,300ft and would house residents and have commercial spaces.
The firm are also looking to explore the futuristic use of pumped storage hydropower in skyscrapers, potentially replacing the designed blocks with water.
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Burj Khalifa, UAE
At 2,717 ft tall, the structure in Dubai has been the tallest since 2009. It broke multiple world records, including world’s largest light and sound show staged on a single building.
2. Merdeka 118, Malaysia
Located in the capital Kuala Lumpur, this building is a megatall skyscraper spanning 2,227 ft height. It is also the tallest building in Southeast Asia and Malaysia. The spire of the building was finally completed in 2022.
3. Shanghai Tower, China
Synonymous to the name, it is located in Shanghai and is the tallest building in China at 2,073 ft. It is also the tallest and largest LEED platinum certified building in the world since 2015. The LEED is awarded to green structures that are environmentally sustainable.
4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Saudi Arabia
A government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca is aimed at catering the pilgrims and its tallest tower stands at 1,972 ft. It is also the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.
5. Ping An International Finance Centre, China
At 1,966 ft tall, this skyscraper was completed in 2017 and is the second tallest building in China. It is also the second largest skyscraper in the world by floor area and holds the record for having the highest observation deck in a building.