Filmed in October 2008 at the second international conference on the changing state of materials in architecture with the participation of prominent architects and engineers, hosted by Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture. Concrete is entering a renewed era of development with worldwide implications and under radically new economic circumstances. What are the futures of concrete in architecture and engineering in terms of technologies...

"While our cities are full of incredible engineering feats, most of us live with little idea of what goes into creating the built environment, let alone how a new building goes up, what it is built upon, or how it remains standing. In this book, Roma Agrawal uncovers the astonishing science behind her profession. Each of the eight chapters will tackle a great engineering challengehow we keep a building from falling down or how a bridge is...

Profiles fifty unusual structures, include a fire-breathing octopus sculpture, a giant skateboard ramp, a Costa Rican treehouse community, and a life-sized X-Wing Starfighter built of LEGO bricks.

"From skyscrapers that reach astonishing heights to bridges that span deep and wide rivers, the world is filled with awe-inspiring structures. But how do they work? Meet the extraordinary people who challenged our beliefs about what's possible, pioneering remarkable inventions that helped build the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, the Pantheon in Italy, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Shard in England and the Sapporo Dome in Japan. Discover the ingenious...