Incredible Structures – The 5 Highest Buildings in the World

Working at heights, but in a different way!? Have you ever asked yourself how would be to work on the floor 100, 200, or more in one of the highest buildings in the world? to be on the top or between the clouds? Are you looking for a full panoramic view over the largest cities from the world, but at the same time are you afraid of heights, are you afraid of looking down the window? Do you want to be above the clouds, but not in an airplane or on the top of the mountain?

Skyscrapers, cloud buildings, the highest buildings in the world, have become nowadays and as well through out the history, iconic symbols of modern architecture, reaching new heights both literally and figuratively. As of the latest 2023 updates, here below is the ranking and summary of the five highest buildings in the world.

Highest Buildings in the World

Burj Khalifa (Dubai, United Arab Emirates):
Height: 828 meters (2,717 feet).
Completed in 2010, the Burj Khalifa stands as the undisputed highest building globally. Its sleek design and impressive height have made it a symbol of Dubai‘s rapid urban development. The tower boasts luxurious residences, a hotel, and an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the city.

Merdeka 118 (Kuala Lumpur)
Height: 680.5 m (2,233 feet).
With construction started in 2014 and finalized in 2023, the Merdeka 118 is the second highest building in the world, first highest in Asia and Malaysia. On the building are housed hotels, serviced apartments and offices.

Shanghai Tower (Shanghai, China):
Height: 632 meters (2,073 feet).
Opened to the public in 2016, the Shanghai Tower is the second highest building globally. Its distinctive twisted form not only captures attention but also serves a functional purpose, providing stability against the forces of wind and earthquakes. The tower houses offices, a hotel, and observation decks.

Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower (Mecca, Saudi Arabia):
Height: 601 meters (1,971 feet).
Completed in 2012, the Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower is part of a complex near the Masjid al-Haram, the holiest site in Islam. While the tower primarily serves as a hotel, it also contains a shopping mall and prayer rooms. The massive clock face is a notable feature, making it a significant landmark in Mecca.

Ping An Finance Center (Shenzhen, China):
Height: 599 meters (1,965 feet).
Opened in 2017, the Ping An Finance Center is the fourth of the highest buildings in the world. Its sleek design and innovative features reflect the advancements in sustainable architecture. The tower accommodates offices, a hotel, and observation decks, offering panoramic views of the vibrant city of Shenzhen.

These towering structures not only redefine city skylines but also push the boundaries of architectural and engineering possibilities. Each building on this list represents a unique blend of design, functionality, and innovation, contributing to the ever-evolving world of the highest buildings. As cities continue to reach for the sky, it will be fascinating to see what new heights future buildings will achieve.

All this amazing buildings have been built with a strict follow-up of the HSE regulations, especially due to the working at heights and dropped objects hazards.

At the same time SIMOPS management play a crucial role on the building of all this amazing structures, as in the process are involved lot of operations at the same time, one of the most critical being the lifting operations, and as well different subcontractor companies.

Periodical HSE trainings and daily toolbox talks have contributed to the operations success of this highest buildings in the world, where at the end of each day of work, the workers involved in the daily process have returned back safe, to their families.

Of course all this construction sites, for the highest buildings in the world, have not been without any incidents or not recording unsafe acts/conditions, however the reporting of this and of the near miss is a contributing factor in providing lessons learned for the entire industry, from which we all can learn useful aspects in HSE.