7 tallest skyscrapers in the world and the engineering behind them

The article highlights the seven tallest skyscrapers in the world as of 2026, emphasizing their architectural innovation and engineering feats that push the limits of vertical construction. Leading the list is Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, standing at 2,717 feet with 163 floors, featuring a distinctive Y-shaped buttressed core system inspired by regional floral and Islamic designs. This structural approach enhances wind resistance and torsional rigidity, supporting its mixed-use program of residences, offices, hotels, and observation decks. Following is Malaysia’s Merdeka 118, completed in 2023 at 2,227 feet with 118 floors, combining hospitality, retail, and observation spaces to serve as a national landmark and economic hub in Kuala Lumpur. Other notable buildings include Shanghai Tower in China, the third tallest at 2,073 feet with 128 floors, which integrates advanced sustainability technologies such as wind turbines and cogeneration systems to reduce energy consumption by up to 54%. Its spiraling form improves wind and seismic