Ep 1. Turning Torso

In Extreme Engineering season 2 episode 1, titled "Turning Torso," viewers are taken on a journey to Sweden to witness the construction of the Turning Torso building. This episode explores the innovative design and engineering that went into making this stunning structure a reality.

The Turning Torso is a 54-story residential building in the Swedish city of Malmö. The building is a twisted tower that appears to be turning at its center, hence its name. With its unique design, the Turning Torso has become a landmark in Malmö and is recognized as one of the most iconic skyscrapers in Europe.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the Turning Torso's architect, Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava is known for his unique designs, and the Turning Torso is no exception. The episode explores Calatrava's inspiration for the building, which was influenced by the human spine.

The first challenge faced by the engineers and construction team was how to turn the tower. The design required the building to twist gradually as it goes up. This meant that each floor of the Turning Torso had to be slightly shifted from the one below it. The engineers and architects had to use specialized software to create a 3D model of the building that could be twisted without compromising its structural integrity.

The construction of the Turning Torso was also challenging, as the building site was located on a former dockyard that had been contaminated with toxins. The construction team had to take measures to prevent the spread of these toxins during the building process.

Another challenge was transporting the materials to the construction site. The Turning Torso was designed to be constructed with prefabricated modular sections, which were manufactured in a factory in Italy and shipped to the site. The factory had to produce over 2,800 unique pieces to construct the tower.

The episode also explores the innovative solutions used to make the Turning Torso energy-efficient. The building features a unique heating and cooling system that uses geothermal energy. This system circulates water through pipes in the ground, where it is heated or cooled naturally by the earth's temperature.

Viewers are taken behind the scenes to see the construction process firsthand. The construction team had to use cranes to lift each section of the tower into place. To ensure the safety of the workers, the engineers had to design custom-made platforms that could be attached to the tower while it was being built. The team also had to take measures to ensure the stability of the tower during construction, as even a slight shift could have disastrous consequences.

Overall, Extreme Engineering season 2 episode 1 provides a fascinating look into the design and construction of the Turning Torso. Viewers get to see how innovative engineering solutions were used to overcome the various challenges faced during its construction. The episode is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the human mind and shows how great engineering can create iconic landmarks that can stand the test of time.