Supersize Structures Season 1 Episode 3 Building Big

In Supersize Structures season 1 episode 3, titled "Building Big," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the world's biggest and most impressive architectural structures.

The episode begins with a look at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building located in Dubai. Viewers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the construction process of this skyscraper, which stands at an impressive 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall. The episode delves into the challenges engineers and architects faced in building a structure of such magnitude, including wind resistance, building materials, and the logistics of pouring concrete at high altitudes.

The next stop on the journey is the Great Wall of China, a series of fortifications stretching more than 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles) across northern China. Viewers are given a history lesson on the wall's construction, which began in the 7th century BC and continued for centuries. The episode explores the various materials used in building the wall, including bricks, tamped earth, and stone, and examines the structural challenges of building a wall on such difficult terrain.

The episode then turns its focus to the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Viewers are taken through the history of the canal's construction, which began in the early 20th century and took over a decade to complete. The episode details the canal's intricate lock system and explores the engineering challenges of building a canal through dense jungle terrain.

Moving on from the waterways, the episode takes a look at the Bagger 288, the world's largest land vehicle. Viewers are shown the enormous machine, which stands at 96 meters (314 feet) tall and 240 meters (800 feet) long, in action. The episode examines the vehicle's construction, including the use of reinforced steel and the engineering challenges of building a machine of this size.

The final stop on this architectural adventure is the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. Viewers are given a look at the telescope's design and construction, and the episode explores the technological challenges of building a structure to capture radio waves from space.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to a diverse group of designers, builders, and engineers who share their unique perspectives on the challenges of building these supersize structures. From the advanced technology used in the Burj Khalifa to the ancient building techniques of the Great Wall of China, this episode of Supersize Structures offers a captivating exploration of some of the world's most awe-inspiring engineering feats.