Ep 9. Biggest Casino

Build It Bigger season 2 episode 9, titled "Biggest Casino," follows host Danny Forster as he travels to Connecticut to explore the construction of the largest casino in the world. The episode begins with Forster providing some background information on the Mashantucket Pequot Indian tribe, who were granted permission to open a casino in their reservations. However, as competition grew in the casino industry, they decided to undertake a massive expansion project to keep up with the changing landscape.

Forster then meets with the architect, who explains the design philosophy behind the casino. The building is inspired by natural forms and aims to resemble a giant crystal, set amidst the forested landscape. Forster takes a tour of the construction site, marvelling at the scale of the project. The casino is going to cover an area of more than 4 million square feet and will include a massive hotel, convention center, and entertainment complex. Forster talks to workers, engineers, and architects, all of whom are excited to be a part of such a mammoth undertaking.

The episode delves deep into the engineering and design challenges faced while constructing such an enormous project. The casino is being built on a site that was once an airport, and the team faced significant soil remediation issues. The construction team had to dig deep below the contaminated soil and replace it with clean soil to provide a solid foundation for the casino. They then had to construct several concrete frames, each weighing over 30,000 pounds, to support the massive steel structure of the building.

Forster shows viewers some of the innovative construction techniques used during the project. They visit a production factory that uses prefabricated modular construction techniques to build the hotel rooms. The use of these techniques helps cut down on construction time and improves the safety of workers working at heights. The team also used GPS-guided machines to lay the foundation and electronic sensors to monitor different aspects of the construction.

The episode also discusses the environmental impact of such a massive project. The casino is being constructed in the midst of a forested area, and the team has taken several measures to minimize the environmental impact. They have implemented a zero-waste policy, where all the construction debris is being recycled, and have set up a massive recycling facility to handle all the waste generated during the construction. The team has also created a conservation area, where they have relocated several protected plant and animal species to ensure their survival.

Finally, Forster takes viewers on a tour of the completed casino. The scale and grandeur of the project are breathtaking. The casino boasts of over 5000 slot machines and more than 300 gaming tables, making it the largest in the world. The hotel boasts of over 2000 rooms, including luxury suites and villas. The entertainment complex includes theatres, bars, and several restaurants serving some of the finest cuisines.

The episode draws to a close with Forster reflecting on the sheer magnitude of the project. He talks about how the casino has become an important part of the local economy, providing hundreds of jobs and attracting tourists from all over the world. The Biggest Casino is a testament to human ingenuity and innovation, showcasing what is possible when people come together and dream big.