an elevator that travels 84 floors in 37 seconds and the anti-seismic steel megaball

It’s midday and the sky turns gray in Taiwan. Walking through the streets of the capital one feels small. It is difficult not to be amazed by the enormous buildings, especially at night when they shine in the darkness. But, from afar, the structure that stands out the most is an imposing skyscraper: the famous Taipei 101. That number has a story behind it, but it also describes the number of floors that surround this enormous creature 508 meters high and in which any visitor can live the indescribable experience of going up in an elevator. 84 floors in 37 seconds! sheathed a sea of ​​sensations.

A priori anyone would think that the journey is not suitable for those afraid of heights. However, the climb is so fast and what follows afterward is even more fascinating – the immense 360° landscape – that it is impossible not to feel like repeating this kind of trip to the skies of Taipei.

Upon entering the complex on Songhzhi Street we begin the adventure. First, we get on an elevator that takes us to the fifth floor, a fleeting journey to pick up the pace and prepare for what is coming.

There, one of the two high-speed elevators was waiting for us, which has an ascent speed of 1,010 meters per minute. It only takes 37 seconds to go from the 5th floor to the 89th observation deck. These elevators are the only intelligent high-speed elevators in the world equipped with constant pressure devices, shock absorbers and high-temperature ceramic brake systems.

We get on the Toshiba brand 0B38, with capacity for 24 people and 1,600 kilos. You already feel a tingle. Suddenly the lights go out and we are illuminated by a screen that shows a drawing of the enormous skyscraper with some data: floor, height, speed and time. Yes, as if it were the screen we have in front of the seat of an airplane, we can follow the route second by second.

Suddenly, the ceiling of the elevator turns into a starry sky. It’s hard not to be tempted to pick up your cell phone and start filming. In the first ten seconds, we already climbed 14 floors. It’s just the beginning.

The speed is increasing and reaches 1010 m/min near the 45th floor, about 200 meters high. As if to take dimension, a small red rectangle on the drawing of the skyscraper on the screen indicates the incessant progression.

Before reaching the 89th floor, in just 37 seconds, the trip gives us other internal sensations, from feeling that we are in the air, some brief palpitation and our ears pricking. The fascination is such that some cannot speak and others, on the contrary, relate everything that happened without leaving any detail to chance.

Finally, the doors open and the show continues. We are welcomed by a huge platform with panoramic windows that offers visitors a 360 panoramic view, from where you can see an urban tapestry dotted with parks, rivers and green mountains.

The perspective is captivating. The other – smaller – skyscrapers are lost in the haze of the day, while the city extends as far as the eye can see, from a height that touches the sky. Up here time seems to stop.

There is no guide, there is no need. The 101 presents signposts with details of each place that we visit accompanied by tourists from all corners of the world. This was the case of a group of Mexicans who were preparing for the Towerrunning World Championship.

At the heart of this structure is a huge seismic dampera steel sphere 660 tons suspended between the 88th and 92nd floors.

This ingenious mechanism acts like a giant pendulum: counteracts seismic movements y strong wind gusts, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the tower during the most extreme weather conditions. A clear example was last month when the 101st was unscathed by the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake.

The technical name of the wind damping ball es Tuned Mass Damper. A TMD is a passive system adapted to the needs of the building. Its main objective is to reduce the sway caused by strong winds so that working on such a tall tower is comfortable.

Approximately 5.5 meters in diameter, the shock absorber consists of 41 layers of 12.5 cm solid steel sheet welded into a mass of gold sphere.

Traditional hidden damping systems are out of sight, but the Taipei 101 TMD is both a functional and aesthetic eye-catcher. Visitors to the viewing platform can even glimpse the general functioning of the damping system.

Not everything ends on the 89th floor. By stairs, you can go up to the 91st to see another observatory, but outdoors. While the wind whispers strange sounds, we were able to capture that unique moment with our cameras, trying to eternalize the magnificence of the view and the emotion of the moment. Laughter, gestures of astonishment and endless selfies accompany the visual and sound melody that encapsulates the essence of Taipei.

For those who want to visit the imposing 101, it is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and to make the trip to the 89th floor costs $1,200 NT (about US$ 37) per person.

The Taipei 101 tower is one of the most iconic structures in the world, not only because of its height, but also because of its cultural and architectural significance. The story is as fascinating as its framework.

Construction, which began in 1999 and finished in 2004, was designed to withstand the typhoons and earthquakes that frequently hit the island. Its line, inspired by a bamboo cane, symbolizes resilience and growth, elements deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture.

Furthermore, the number 101 is no coincidence. It represents the rebirth and continued progress, alluding to the beginning of a new century, which arrived when the towers were under construction (100+1). It symbolizes the high ideals derived from going beyond 100, a number traditionally associated with perfection.

Designed by the Taiwanese firm CY Lee & Partners, It was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2009when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Like other emblematic buildings, 101 often changes its lighting to celebrate different events. Fireworks and lighting effects illuminate the night sky from the skyscraper during New Year’s celebrations. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was illuminated in blue and yellow, representative colors of the flag of the country that Volodimir Zelensky has governed since 2019.

Located on the Pacific “ring of fire”, considered the area with the highest seismic activity in the world, the island suffers hundreds of earthquakes of varying magnitude every year, due to the friction of the Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Taiwan last month left at least 12 dead, 1,106 injured and minor damage to infrastructure and buildings. These are very low numbers compared to the 1999 earthquake called “Jiji”, a reference to the town where it occurred, which left 2,400 dead and 11,300 injured.

One of the explanations is based on a combination of efficient response mechanisms and strict construction protocols that Taiwan carried out in recent years. For example, To build a building of more than fifteen meters you have to use certain materials and hire a third party to supervise compliance with regulations to ensure the integrity of the structure.

Thus, the 101, the tallest and most iconic skyscraper in the capital, was a perfect example of this type of progress. In Taipei, just 130 kilometers from the epicenter, buildings shook violently last month during what was Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years. But in a triumph of modern engineering, the imposing 101 emerged unscathed from the island’s last major seismic event.