Oh no…last day of holiday!

Can the time travels back to a month ago, when my previous semester would be just ended and holiday just begin? How great if there is such thing as ‘time machine’ exists in this world! There is no such advanced technology for that yet (it seems impossible), and all we, humans know about time is generally; time flies. Yes…time flies….whenever a moment is gone, then it’s gone….and so my holiday finally coming to an end (with a feeling of missing it terribly!)

Today is Sunday, the last day of the month of July, as well as the last day of my holiday before my Semester 2 (final) of the year begins tomorrow. I am trying my best to enjoy the last day of the holiday to the fullest; sleep until 12pm in the afternoon, online for over few hours and playing games, watching tv, had no assignment to do besides than sleep, eat, play! All these would not happen once my final semester begins, right from tomorrow onwards till the end of November, which is like a long way to go too…Anyway, time flies…so now, I’m hoping the time can quickly jump straight to December for graduation and my birthday celebration in a blink of eye.

One month of holiday just gone! I really wish for another holiday coming as soon as possible. What I did during the past holiday? Generally NOTHING besides than rotting at home! Haha…that is a MUST in holiday, also an opportunity for me to have much rest and strength for the next battle (following semester). The pleasure of rotting would be  gone in less than 24 hours. Uumm..but during the holiday also I find that my time is pretty much wasted. Anyway, it’s okay as only a month is taken away for that lazy behaviour. No more lazy beginning tomorrow, if not…I’m going to suffer for the semester…haha…Besides than welcoming the new semester tomorrow, it is also the time to say goodbye to July 2011 and hello to August 2011.

 

Movie review: Captain America – The First Avenger (2011)

It’s time for Captain America as July is almost coming to end. It’s a superhero film by Marvel Comics which is famous in creating several other comic-based superhero films like Spiderman, Iron Man, etc.  The film tells the story of Steve Rogers, a short, thin and weak man who is transformed into super soldier Captain America to help the war effort. However, Captain America must stop Red Skull (the villain), Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry and leader of a terrorist organization, who intends to use a mysterious tesseract energy-source for world domination.

As the setting of this marvel superhero is back in 1942 during World War II, Captain America is considered the first superhero emerged in the world from the comics, and hence getting the name as ‘the first avenger’. Do you know that Marvel is going to release a new film soon entitled ‘Avengers’ which will gather most of its superheros into a single film, for an epic battle with the much stronger villain. It is even hinted at the end of this film that it is a prequel to the upcoming ‘Avengers’ film which Captain America will be part of it. Here below is the official trailer of the movie, ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’:

I don’t need to explain much on the story of the film as to prevent spoilers as well as it is pretty much expected and obvious what this film will deliver; some extreme action scenes of fights, clash and explosions added with some humours which cracked the audiences out. I did laugh at several moments by a few hilarious scenes, especially at the beginning of the film when the thin and weak soldier is not yet transformed, and when people are questioning his ability in army forces. The action scenes are impressive, but not at the part of the final clash between Captain America and Red Skull which I find it is too simple and quick (with Red Skull suddenly vanished to the universe). Not all action scenes are just created with mainly CGI effects, with many portion showing the real fighting action by the Captain, Steve Rogers portrayed by Chris Evans.

I have to compliment on Chris Evans for his best ever performance after I have known him from Fantastic Four. He had a greater role here as he is the Captain America, the main lead of the film. The character’s development of the film is shown very well, hence giving sufficient screen time for him to shine from a thin guy to a muscular guy. The audiences would certainly pay attention towards his character which is given a depth, good enough for a two-hours movie. His solid performance steals the whole show. As for the villain, the Red Skull portrayed by Hugo Weaving, I find his performance not well done, a better actor should be casted for such a potential character that is ruined by Hugo at this point.

I would like to praise the editing jobs done in showing how skinny Chris Evans is in the beginning of the film and how muscular and ‘big’ he is after being transformed. Yes, Chris Evans did a great job in going for a diet for his earlier acting before going for gym for his performance after the transformation, but obviously, computer did major role there. Thumbs up to Chris for his effort in doing so, and to the whole production team for making the movie quite a successful one. On the other hand, I find that the film did extremely well in bringing the whole setting back to 70 years ago during World War II.

However, I find some parts in the film to be a bit illogical, like the part when the died doctor leaved no notes at all in operating the transformation mechanism which lead to only a single ‘Captain America’, and not many (which would be then damaging the whole point of having only a single Captain), the part when Captain America is saved and slept for almost 70 years just to reach to the modern days to be continued with the upcoming ‘Avengers’ film. There are some other illogical parts but I’m still okay with it…as the whole point of superhero film already came in being illogical at some sense. Out of 10 points, I would gave this one 7.2.

It’s the last registration day for me!

It’s the last Friday of the month and is the registration day at Limkokwing University’s campus at Cyberjaya for a new semester for all returning students. It will be my last semester of the course that took 3 years (and another year in Foundation) which will begin by August and end before December this year, hopefully before my birthday on 4th December. So, the registration event today becomes a little bit more significant compared to the previous ones, as it will be my last registration day for the architecture course I’m taking.

The procedure went on as usual. Students have to settle the fees first which is the university’s priority forever before being officially registered within the university. I have reached the campus quite early (before 9.30am) after over an hour long drive through congested roads in KL….and still I have to wait for two hours just to get the fees settled before registration is made….thanks to the small number of counters in operation, inefficiency of the working staff as well as behaviour of some students cutting queue! Wasted my two-hours sitting in there…luckily, there are still friends by side to chat with….registration day is also the day to meet back some of my friends and classmates after a month of holiday when we couldn’t see each other.

After the fees had finally settled which would be the last cheque my father has to give to the university, it’s only time to register back at the plaza. Luckily, there are not many people there and it is done quick with just a sheet of paper printed out with a signature to mark the official registration of a student. Simple procedures overall, but the system (bursary) just failed! So to be clear, the event should be known as Fees Payment Day rather than Registration Day, looking at their obvious motive in collecting fees before a student can register. The timetable is ready, and yes…we got Friday as a holiday again, similar to the timetable of previous semester. I got five modules to take for this last semester…and may God bless me….wish me luck and all the best!

World’s oldest living architect: Oscar Niemeyer

Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho, or popularly known as Oscar Niemeyer is currently 103 years old and would be celebrating his 104th birthday on December this year. At 103 currently, he is the world’s oldest living architect whom are still contributing to designs in his company through his sketches and explanations. He is a Brazilian architect whom had worked in the field for over 70 years, specializing in international modern architecture. He is a pioneer in exploring the formal possibilities of reinforced concrete solely for their aesthetic impact.

His buildings are often characterized by being spacious and exposed, mixing volumes and empty space to create unconventional patterns and often propped up by pilotis. Both lauded and criticized for being a “sculptor of monuments”,  he has been praised for being a great artist and one of the greatest architects of his generation by his supporters. Here below is a quote from the architect himself describing his approach in architecture:

‘It is not the right angle that attracts me, nor the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. What attracts me is the free and sensual curve — the curve that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuous course of its rivers, in the body of the beloved woman.’ 

His first work (Gustavo Capanema Palace with Le Corbusier) came in 1936 which is now over 75 years ago, and his latest masterpiece is the Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre in Spain on 2011 (this year). The latter is a big cultural centre which is ‘an open square to the humankind, a place for education, culture and peace’ (Oscar Niemeyer). In total, he has designed well over 80 buildings or structures which is an impressive record of his contribution to the built environment, particularly in Brazil and Europe. One more thing I wish to highlight is Oscar Niemeyer is the architect of a building in Malaysia, built back in 1980, which is the Penang State Mosque eventhough his contribution in Asia is very minimal.

Two structures which he designed and dedicated to himself are the Oscar Niemeyer Museum at Parana, Brazil and the International Cultural Centre mentioned on the previous paragraph. The former is a museum resembling an eye-shaped tower with ramp leading to it from the reflecting pond below as well as a rectangular gallery behind. The museum features many of Niemeyer’s signature elements: bold geometric forms, sculptural curved volumes placed prominently to contrast with rectangular volumes, sinuous ramps for pedestrians, large areas of white painted concrete, and areas with vivid murals or paintings. His major and famous works are as follow:

At this age and still helping on design contribution, he is often being criticized of the lower quality of his later (recent) works which is definitely affected by his old age. Anyway, the scale of his contribution to architecture is extensive and he can be considered as one of the fathers of modern architecture along with Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius. He had also won 1988 Pritzker Prize, the highest honour to an architect every year. Living for over a century which is seldom acquired by many others, his works and name as a great architect would be eternal. (His hands must be very shaking when sketching something, but his creative mind on design still presents)

One year countdown to London 2012

Today is 27th of July 2011, exactly a year to go (27th July 2012), we would be witnessing the opening ceremony of London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Everyone of you must have known already that London won the bid to host the world largest sporting event back in 2005, six years ago which left sufficient time for works to be done in preparation for a successful games. The organizing committee believed that their effort would be well paid off with a successful games that would deliver at its best and that would leave a legacy to London and UK after so much hard works on turning vision into reality. (Below is a real picture showing the main stadium lights up to mark 1 year countdown to London 2012 Olympic Games)

The progress of the preparation for the games including the Paralympic Games went well and on schedule. From many reports and observations visible, it is obvious that London is doing well without any news of delay in preparation of venues and infrastructures. The games which would attract over 15 000 athletes from over 200 countries is also promised to be a sustainable games, with many venues stood as temporary for the games, and many other environmental-friendly plans ahead. Even few months ago, we have been informed of the completion of the main stadium for the games, the Olympic Stadium. Many other venues have been completed too and are undergoing tests and final touch-up. There is one year to go, and many things seem to have finished (all venues on Olympic Park completed) , which leaves ample of time for other preparations. (Picture below shows the Olympic Stadium at the back and Aquatic Centre at the front)

This day reminds me of the grandeur and the magnificent scale of the previous edition of Summer Olympic Games, back in 2008 at Beijing. Too bad, I have not been starting to have my blog during the sporting event that occured in August 2008, which I could have the chance to write some posts on it. The games is done beautifully and is very impressive! Beijing 2008 reminds me of ‘Bird Nest’ stadium, ‘Water Cube’, and Malaysia not scoring even a single gold medal ever. Haha….Back to London by 2012, the city might not triumph over Beijing on the scale, but still it looks very promising that London would do a great job too. So fast, it’s been 3 years after Beijing 2008, and one year to go before London 2012.

I got my new laptop!

After a day without a laptop, I’m starting to get desperate for a new one. So, on this afternoon, my dad and I went to Low Yat Plaza, the mall specialized in selling digital items, which include phones, cameras, laptops and many others. People went to Low Yat not for food, not for movies, not for clothings, but all for electronic products. I am going there to purchase those that have been stolen all together in my bag which includes laptop, mouse, headset, camera’s charger and the bag itself.

For laptop, I’m going to the Asus booth first which is located at the atrium itself. The product that I have checked on earlier is not available and out of stock at the moment, and so I can’t buy it at the time. So, it’s time to shift to Toshiba. There are very few samples exhibited for our viewing and the price is much more expensive compared to others which easily went over my budget. Then, finally, Acer. There are very few people going to Acer booth, but I get attracted to its product named Aspire 5750G-2634G64 at the price of RM2899 which is then reduced to RM2799.

I like the blue surface of the laptop and the latest technology of the system, which includes 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM processor, genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, 640GB SATA HDD/4 GB DDR3 RAM, 15.6” HD Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit TFT LCD, NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M with optimus technology, optimized dolby advanced audio, 8X super multi plus drive, and one-year international warranty. I am getting blur over all these datas, but I think the processor and graphic card is important to me as a design (architecture) student whom need to render 3D images.

So, I purchased that, in addition with many free gifts including mouse, headset, lock, cooler, etc. I bought a bag too, which replaced my previous stolen bag which is in very bad condition.  Hopes that my new laptop would works perfectly fast, smooth and fine for me and not spoil easily. Now, I have to take great care to my latest precious belonging….thanks dad for that…

Holiday ends in a week…and feeling weird without a laptop at my side…

Ahh!!! It’s already the last week of July, which indicates that my holiday is coming to an end soon, and my last semester would begin. Holiday comes and goes very quick…eventhough I’m given a nice amount of break away from all those assignments for a full one month, I’m still feeling not enough. I think this is the thought of every student. Anyway, it’s good to be back to campus to meet back my friends, whom many had been back to hometown far far away during the holiday.

I’m finding myself still not very much prepared and ready to face the final semester of my study before graduation. This semester which would begins in August and end in November 2011 would be expected to be the toughest, as it determines whether we can graduate to obtain the Bachelor of Applied Science in Architecture. Really hope everything goes well and smooth from the beginning till the very end before my birthday on early December. The time has to come very soon, for me to deal with the semester, for me to officially celebrate my 20th birthday (21 in Chinese) and for me to be officially graduated!

What shall I do for this final week of holiday? Yes…I should start preparing and get ready….warm up first before the hectic and busy schedule begins just around the corner. But all before that, I have to buy a new laptop as my previous one is stolen…haiz….the pain of losing my previous laptop still exists…my previous Compaq laptop had accompanied me for over 3 years, and I’m feeling a bit weird without a laptop at my side when I’m in my bedroom. It seems that I would have a lot of things to do this week, to be settled before my semester begins next week….aah, this Friday is already the registration day.

A short trip to Ipoh for second time of the year…and it ends terribly!

I have to remain calm at this point where I would begin to mention a bit on my quick trip to Ipoh, Perak in 2 days 1 night. It is supposed to be an enjoyable and fun trip, not until…..haiz, I will mention it later. It was a short trip planned earlier with hotel rooms already purchased and several places planned for visit. But to be honest, there is nothing much interesting to see in Ipoh besides than those interesting limestone caves formation…and hence we only need a day for a basic trip over there.

It is only a mere two-hours drive continuously from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh through the North-South Expressway. Sitting in the car, without the need of driving is something pleasant and comfortable, while I manage to enjoy the views along the route. So, my views basically change from scene involving many tall buildings (in KL) and urban areas with huge amount of condominiums (Mont Kiara area) to nothing but forest views with short hills, before finally noticing limestone hills and caves that indicate our destination is fast approaching; Ipoh which is famous for that.

It is raining cats and dogs as soon as we reached the city in afternoon. The sky is dark, and I’m feeling not that good for the day. The first thing we do is to get a quick meal at the famous Onn Kee Restaurant, famous in selling the local delicacy; bean sprout chicken. It is a food must-try in Ipoh. The restaurant we went is very popular, as there have been several artists (especially from Hong Kong) have had eaten there and taken pictures. They are Raymond Lam, Bosco Wong, Nicholas Teo, etc. There are too many pictures and I can’t remember much.

After that, we proceed to drive around the suburban areas of Ipoh, where I have not been too that much in my previous trip to the city not long ago (two months ago in the same year). It is peaceful there, with less cars and people, and the roads there are very enjoying to drive on as there is no traffic jams! I didn’t spot any highrises there, and almost everything is flat with backdrop of beautiful hills. There are many open fields in middle of those housing areas, and those fields are comparatively much larger than those in KL. I think you can even place few airplanes on a single field there.

Then, we stop by to try on delicious and crunchy ‘siu yuk’ (Chinese roasted pork) at a small hawker stall which is said to be selling fast due to high number of daily customers. Ahh…eat again! Must be gaining weight after the trip. It’s time to get back to hotel for a rest, and the hotel we are staying is called ‘Regalodge Hotel, Ipoh’ which is a small four-storeys building located at the old town area, which is quite strategic. The staff is friendly, and the facilities provided are very good, with all snacks and drinks in room free, free wifi (but very slow), free newspaper in the morning, and huge plasma TV with some Astro channels for me to watch. The room condition is very neat, clean and good, eventhough the view from my room isn’t that good. Ahh…and yes, I had my own room to stay in which is cool.

At around 11pm, then only we went out for dinner (nope, it’s supper) at a food court near the stadiums’ area. Try to guess what I ate? Haha…it’s Fried Prawn and Egg! The name seems to be very special, but it ends up being a plate of typical ‘char kuey teow mee’ (fried noodle). Funny, isn’t it? I’m tasting Penang food while I’m in Ipoh, searching for local delicacies. There is not much delicacies here, except than the bean sprout chicken  (eaten earlier), pomelos (I don’t like to eat) and biscuits. That’s the end of the day.

I woke up comfortably on my bed, greeting the Sunday’s morning with a look out of my window, and it’s still quite quiet out there. Then, we went to the busy streets at the old town area, for breakfast at the famous dim sum restaurant in the town, called Foh San. It is a huge two-floors restaurant…and we have to wait to be seated. I have been there before in my previous trip, and I knew the food there are nice, and the dim sum are in many varieties. I had a very full breakfast there…yummy!

It’s time to check out from hotel at 12pm, and it’s time to head to the famous Buddhist cave temples at Ipoh. We went straight to the place, where three temples are located just to each other, named ‘Ling Sen Temple’, ‘Nan Tien Tong’, and ‘Sam Poh Tong’. Ling Sen Temple is interesting on its appealing temple’s appearance with mainly the attractions are not in the cave, but rather at outside, easily visible as it is just located at the side of the main road, and its focus in 12-zodiacs Chinese signs. Nan Tien Tong is interesting on its temple-in cave structure and the steep and dark climb to the top. I had an exhausting time climbing the steps there, but I did it too. Sam Poh Tong is interesting on its landscaped garden which is very beautiful and scenic with lake, stones, flowers and shrubs.

Then, we proceed to the Kek Lok Tong Temple, quite far, in the Malay-populated area. Wao…it is a huge and a beautiful cave, with huge opening that draws visitors in. It is very windy inside and the lighting in the cave intensifies the mysterious limestone formation in the cave. The interesting rock formations caught our attention, with some even resembles something like tiger’s head based on our imagination. We had a comfortable moment there, enjoying the breeze and the calm atmosphere, not until my dad’s car alarm alerted.

We thought it is nothing wrong. Then, we went back to pick up the car, and only discovered that a window of the car is smashed and in pieces. Oh my god…my bag containing my clothes, my toiletries and especially my laptop are stolen! The whole bag is gone! Oh, shit! It is a moment of shock and sad for me, as I lost my precious laptop, containing all my precious files. Luckily, I had another copy of it in my external hard drive, but it is not updated. Shit! I totally felt very down….It is a moment of anger to my dad too, as he need to fix the car, and also buying a new laptop for me. What a tragic event that destroys all our mood, which we even intended to go to Perak Cave Temple after that. The plan is foiled and we quickly sent the car to be vacuumed (to remove all broken glass) and to be fix with new glass window installed in. It’s all done in the right time just before the downpour which would wet inside the car if that window is left empty with no glass.

(Last picture of the trip above…so terrible!) So you see…how bad the day turned out to be! We didn’t report to the police as we are rushing for the car to be repaired to avoid dealing with rain in such condition. Anyway, we had complained seriously to the management of the cave temple there, including the three useless old security guards there, and two policemen whom are responsible for the area and were coincidently at the place too. I had my fault too, as I shouldn’t left it on the rear seat. But then, nothing occurs previously at the three temples we have visited earlier. At Kek Lok Tong, there are even more people, and the alarm alerted no one. Huh…

What to do! It is lost. To the person who had steal it, you know what you did, and you will face the consequences soon…Now, I had to start thinking to purchase a new one before my semester begins next week….Sorry to my dad, whom have to buy me a new one. I take it as a time to replace the old one which had stay with me for around 3 years. Goodbye my previous laptop! Goodbye, Ipoh! (Here now, I’m back in my home at KL, facing the old desktop to write for my blog here).

‘Wax and Wane’…a failed version of ‘Moonlight Resonance’

‘Wax and Wane’ is a Hong Kong series by TVB that I have been watching throughout the month. It is called ‘團圓’ that is supposed to be translated to ‘Reunion’ which is a better English title for the series. So, I have no idea why it is called ‘Wax and Wane’ in the end. It is a 30-episodes long TVB drama focusing on the conflicts between two sibling families over past and present issues in business and relationship (family and love).

Yesterday is the showing of the final episode of the series, which I thought would be very exciting and interesting with everything finally revealed. I find the ending to be too simply done, too ordinary and too typical; the good ones are successful in tricking out the evils, the evils face the consequences, both families live happily together. There are few interesting twists in the ending of the story that caught us in surprise, but there are all portrayed not very well in the series, that leave the audiences blank in mind.

A series focusing on family and battle should be very interesting, something very much similar to the most successful TVB series, ‘Moonlight Resonance’ which is more on intensity approach or even ‘Heart of Greed’ in emotional approach released few years ago. ‘Wax and Wane’ lacks both…and so I said it is a failed version despite the theme of the story can be made into a great epic series. Now, I’m still missing the greatness of ‘Moonlight Resonance’ that even until now, people still remember it.

Back to ‘Wax and Wane’, the series has quite a number of casts; Roger Kwok, Sunny Chan, Ron Ng, Kate Tsui, Toby Leung, Oscar Leung, Him Law, Derek Kok, etc. Almost all performed quite well in the series, except the father of Roger Kwok and Ron Ng in the series. I don’t know his name, as he is not much popular, and his acting is just bad. He can’t even speak out properly for his own lines. As for Sunny Chan, I forever dislike his acting which looks very unreal. It is just a very bad expression when his character gets angry and when he speaks out loud. It is a bit annoying. Of course, special credit to Roger Kwok whom did extremely well in the series in many tasks his character has to do in the series.

At the beginning of the series, it appears to be very promising as a good series as we realized the main theme behind it. As the story progresses, the series is dragged (not enhanced) by the minor issues like those love relationships and misunderstanding. And finally, to the ending, it is very ordinary and simply boring. How can an ending of a series can’t be so boring. Everytime when there is an ending to a series, there must be certain excitement and interest on it. For this one, NO. When the episode is finished, I am thinking, ‘Oh, it’s ended. I don’t feel anything’. ‘Wax and Wane’ is a series that would be forgotten soon, as it leaves no memorable traces for the audiences. Out of 10 points, I would gave this one 6.8.

20 Interesting Facts on Supertall Skyscrapers

1. “Skyscraper” originally was a nautical term referring to a small triangular sail set above the skysail on a sailing ship. It is first applied to buildings of steel frame construction in late 19th century where building highrises began.

2. Supertall skyscraper is defined as a functional and habitable building with height over 300 m, as the number of buildings exceeding such height is considered very low around the world. The change to the height from 300 m to a number much higher (like 400 m) to be placed in ‘supertall’ category would be suggested in near future when more and more supertall skyscrapers are being built.

3. Burj Khalifa which is the current world tallest completed building stands at a height of 828m, which is almost double of the minimum height for a specific building to be placed into top 10 world tallest buildings’ list. (current 10th place goes to Trump International Hotel and Tower at a height of 423m)

4. Despite Burj Khalifa is the tallest building, Shanghai World Financial Center still hold the record of world tallest observation deck at a height of over 470m at 100th floor. Burj Khalifa just took the title of world tallest OUTDOOR observation deck at a height of 452m at 124th floor.

5. Petronas Twin Towers at the height of 452m are still the current world tallest twin buildings despite losing the title of world’s tallest building over 8 years ago to Taipei 101.

6. Taipei 101 stands at a height of 508m, is the first building in the world to reach over 500m, half a kilometre mark, which also becomes the world tallest building from 2003 till 2009, being overtaken by Burj Khalifa.

7. Ten years ago, there are only 4 buildings in the world that measure over 400m. Currently, including the topped out buildings, there is a total of 12 buildings exceeding that height. So, probably ten years later, the number could easily be over 30.

8. Empire State Building took only 410 days (less than 14 months) to build, back over 80 years ago, in 1930s as the world tallest building at a height of 381m. That is the fastest record of construction for a building with such a height and in that particular time when technology and height are the major resistances.

9. Ten years ago, there are only 26 skyscrapers known to be supertall (exceeding 300m). Now, the number is even more than double; 54 with mainly new buildings coming up from Asia (China and Dubai particularly). ‘Rise of the East’.

10. There are only 4 cities in the world with more than 5 buildings exceeding 300m (supertall skyscrapers). The cities are Dubai, Hong Kong, Chicago and New York City.

11. Dubai, United Arab Emirates is currently the city with the most supertall skyscrapers with minimum of 10 buildings in the category. The record would be remained for a long time due to rapid construction activities in Dubai.

12. The first building in history that exceeds 300m (to be called as supertall skyscraper) is Chrysler Building which stands at a height of 319m and is built in 1930, over 80 years ago.

13. The current world tallest concrete building is Trump International Hotel and Tower at Chicago which stands at a height of 423m including its spire, defeating the previous title holder, CITIC Plaza at Guangzhou which is only at 391m.

14. There are currently less than 10 completed buildings around the world with over 100 floors. (To be exact, only 9).

15. The official list in measuring building’s height is based on the measurement to the highest architectural detail that includes spire but not antenna. This is why Petronas Twin Towers obtained the title of world tallest buildings from Sears Tower (now renamed Willis Tower) back in 1997. Willis Tower at that time is still the tallest to top of roof, tallest to top of antenna, and tallest to highest occupied floor.

16. Burj Khalifa does not only hold the record of world tallest building, but also several many others especially the world tallest man made structure.

17. The Western world had hold the record of world tallest building for over a century (since the introduction of steel frame construction that enable highrises), until it is being taken by Asia beginning 1998, and until 2009 by Middle East.

18. The Shard is currently an under-construction building which will be the tallest in European Union with a height of only 310m, the first one in the region to be called as ‘supertall skyscraper’.

19. There are a total of 7 all-hotel buildings which exceed 300m, of which the top 6 tallest are all in Dubai, with the last one at a height of 304m, located at Bangkok, Thailand called as Baiyoke Tower 2.

20. The first building in history that has over 100 floors is Empire State Building, which has a total of 102 floors, built in 1931.

(All the information above may and will vary/change as time progresses…but as of July 2011, the data is correct).