Why was New York's most famous skyscraper dubbed the "Empty State Building"? How big is Japan's planned "supertower"? Tour the world's most incredible skylines with award-winning author/illustrator, and storyteller, David Macaulay, and trace the stories of skyscrapers. From France's Gothic cathedrals to Malaysia's record-breaking Petronas Towers, this video introduces creators, recounts little-known history, and reveals triumphs through film footage and recreations.

Originally aired on Public Television. Special features: printable materials for educators and parents ; access to the Building big Web site. "Explore the greatest engineering feats of modern times"--Container. Videodisc release of a 2000 television production. Special features: DVD-ROM access to printable building activity instructions for "Building small with Kenny and Caroline from Zoom", and the BuildingBig website.

San Gimignano -- Gothic cathedrals -- The Eiffel Tower -- Chicago -- The Empire State Building -- Wind load -- Petronas Towers and the World Trade Center attack -- Building small : sky scrapers.