How High Rise Buildings Are Constructed: Years of Work Explained in Less Than 15 Minutes

Ever saw those tall high rise buildings and wondered, how are those things built? What goes on in high rise construction? In this video, I'll go over the basic sequence in building a tower and what is involved. Instagram: @kikoga
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High rise and building construction can seem very daunting from afar but when you actually break it down it is relatively simple; once you do a few high rises or towers in your life, the general sequence and milestones will remain the same. As a entry level civil engineer, project engineer, architect or designer, the towers are the cool jobs that ususally get a lot of attention. But, you'll learn this process of building very quickly if you are a construction project engineer working in a metropolitan area surrounded by towers.
It first starts with the preparation of the site. Making sure your ground and foundation is solid and understood to start with your actual foundations. Then you start to construct your foundations, then underground utilities. Once all that is complete, you pour your slab on grade (ground floor slab). Then you move on to the podium which will likely be just as if not more complicated than the underground work. The top of the podium may have an amenity deck which will have finishes, waterproofing, maybe a pool, landscaping, etc. Then you move on to your tower; typical floors where as a general contractor you'll likely make your money. Makes it easier to hit a flow. Throughout this process utilizing and understanding how your tower crane and hoist interface with the project is very important. Once you start getting a few floors poured you want to make sure you're working on getting your interior dried in. Make sure you get your roof on and concrete topped off as soon as possible to avoid messing up your finishes. Then its just pushing from there to get all the finishes done, commission the building and get the exterior site ready for move in!
The thoughts and views expressed in this video are my own and from the perspective as a project engineer in construction.
0:00 Intro: Building Towers
0:51 Foundations and Underground
5:47 Ground Floor Slab
6:30 Tricky Podium Work
8:45 Building the Tower: The Money Maker!
9:49 Building Envelope
12:00 The Home Stretch
Sources:
Auger Cast Pile Animation: • Video
Construction Project: • High Rise Apartment bu...
Driven Piles: • Video
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Song: MBB - Hawaii
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Video Link: • MBB - Hawaii (Vlog No ...

[@brandon2743vlog]

Worked with a contractor building a high rise in Canada. It's pretty cool to see that we pretty much follow the exact same process

[@KienenKoga]

awesome!

[@rajmarsh]

Hire me

[@dre4839]

Currently going to school to become a civil engineer. Been watching a lot of KZbin videos(especially yours) to get a better feel of what I’ll be doing. Thank you!! Great video

[@desouzamaria]

This is a fantastic video. I love how Kienen really demystify's construction and makes it easy to understand at a higher level. Construction paints itself as complex (I am a Project Manager in the industry for 18 plus years) and at times it is- but I find such value in how he has a wonderful sense of humour and simplicity in his approach. WELL DONE! I wish there were more guys like you in the industry.

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks so much Maria! Means a lot!

[@bricksandstones5816]

Any tips for a beginner sir.

[@Armafly]

Your way to explain in simple words a complex matter is amazing. Thanks.

[@michaelc0419]

This is one of the best video intros I’ve ever heard 😂

[@archglobe3602]

This was great! Thank you for posting! Quick straight to the point explanations and with diagrams, excellent!

[@shakimbush8827]

It is a common habit amongst people well-versed in something to forget that those whom they are instructing know none of the jargon that they do, jargon that they unknowingly apply during their instruction without defining clearly. If we were in a physical classroom, I would have asked what you mean by “tie-in”, as you used it several times here.

[@user-jc7ee4bq2i]

Informative and funny, we love to see it!

[@AbdJiA]

Your analysis on every video is crazy. Real good!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Subscribed!

[@sloo6027]

Thank you so much for this video!! Just stumbled upon your channel. Simple and straightforward to understand. I'd love to learn more about basement construction, retaining walls, and storm mitigation strategies during construction! Hopefully you'll have another funny video on that soon :)

[@jaredmowry8544]

This is great man! Very intelligent. Much appreciated.

[@unorthodoxsavings9552]

Your videos are so cool you’re slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite channels just because of what you do and the location. Plus you always add something funny 😂

[@KienenKoga]

I really appreciate it man! Thank you so much!

[@zeniussteely2611]

thanks a lot man, your explanation is very easy to follow and not boring, keep it up!

[@KienenKoga]

Appreciate it!

[@012coyang]

How fun that all jobs have a punchlist! Means something different in my career, but love to see industries intersect!

[@KienenKoga]

Cool!

[@johnburns2940]

Dude, super interesting. Thank you

[@vantrogh]

Good job of explaining the process. I am an architect myself but haven't designed or built a high rise building so this is certainly very helpful. Plus working on building an airport now also helps me learn more. Don't worry about your sketching skill. Your job is to build. Designer's job is to design, including sketching. Best.

[@KienenKoga]

Hahaha thanks Vu, I appreciate you watching!

[@vantrogh]

@@KienenKoga As long as you are being trueful and speak from your heart, people will feel and resonate with it. Also, at my current job at the BIM office, we do use Naviswork, Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Assemble (I haven't used it yet). I mostly do Logistic drawings. My coworkers do coordination. Very tedious. Talking about 1/4" or 1/2" clearance between objects. Best of luck. 🙏👍🤓

[@anthonyjones9523]

Awesome explanation.

[@caesarskiba9008]

It is a great talent to be able to explain complex systems to layman in terms they understand. Your attitude is fantastic. Great video. Thanks.

[@kl8295]

This is excellent precisely because it was simplified! A lot of times people in the industry cannot communicate well because simplifying concepts - the way you have - is a challenge.

[@streamshen1818]

Super helpful thank you so much for this. Can you do a video on the site works, storm storage tank etc? Thanks again

[@cristi01234]

Keep up the good work man !

[@KienenKoga]

thank you so much!

[@gareth4903]

Thanks Keinan I enjoyed it. I recently started working on a 4 tower site in Canada 😊

[@jamagaton]

This is really helpful. Thanks.

[@KienenKoga]

Appreciate it!

[@johnboy5736]

Hi Keinan . Magic well done buddy. First class

[@BLACK-cl6ni]

Thank you for the information.... learned something today

[@KienenKoga]

nice!

[@jjunjujonathan8842]

Thanx Mr Koga

[@gathobeevens2644]

Good Job ! thanks

[@akaemeikechukwu7082]

Super explanation👍🏾

[@KienenKoga]

Thank you!

[@denisdenisov4036]

Love the energy of author ❤

[@scariaansal7132]

Man you're the best!!!

[@KienenKoga]

thank you so much!

[@omaralzabad506]

Great Job,

[@KienenKoga]

thanks Omar!

[@blackmass1082]

thank you for this.

[@KienenKoga]

appreciate you watching!

[@killaboyz808]

I work on koula as an carpenter love watching your videos and seeing what u do as a engineer 🤙🏻

[@KienenKoga]

awesome Bradley! Looks like you guys are doing great! Especially with those offset columns lol

[@ProducerGio]

I never knew the cranes had separate foundation built for it. Very interesting

[@kirkwilliams5740]

Thanks for sharing this video with us 🇺🇸

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks for watching Kirk!

[@rondmc8879]

I love the video. So much information given with comedy lol... I currently major in CM at the University of Houston. I'll watch another.

[@KienenKoga]

thanks Ron!

[@kobadaa.952]

I recently started working in recruitment for Multifamily Commercial Construction and loving your content! could you please do a video on the key workers for commercial construction from PM to Superintendent's and Engineers.

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@canalsentir]

hi from Mexico! Thanks for this, was looking for one of these vids for a while now! We make creative vids all subjects

[@miamooka]

As I've been watching a highrise go up, and wondering, how do they do that?, this video was excellent at explaining the basics! Thank you!

[@JL-vd5ps]

Amazing!! I'm still trying to keep my house together 😂😂

[@ar.jaronbautista]

Thank you so much. ❤️

[@KienenKoga]

You're welcome!

[@andrei5171]

I am in 4th year of architecture, and I want to make my first try of project of a Skyscraper, and this video is a good, Start! thx for the info hahaha, never worked with Skyscraper ideas ^^

[@mbakisisibanda6191]

The Ground Piles are a cool technology, especially the Auger Cast Piles 🔥😃

[@KienenKoga]

agreed!!

[@asmalahmira4264]

Funny learning . I like it

[@KienenKoga]

Appreciate it!

[@m.j.d.o]

Really informative! Wondering how they add each floor ?

[@Modeling0216]

this intro is GOLD LOL

[@Liface]

I live in NYC and have been wondering what a hoist was for a while. Thanks.

[@avest.bavari]

The company that I work for does a rough-in MEP punch and a finish punch. It has saved SO many headaches.

[@dvs001]

damn..this is fascinating stuff!!!

[@KienenKoga]

I appreciate it! Haha

[@sumbalriaz5124]

This is the first time I'm not getting bored. Great and fun way of delivering man. You're cool.

[@norazimahcheazmi7947]

Thank you Sir (From Malaysia)

[@KienenKoga]

awesome! thanks for watching!

[@wubbalubba2104]

what an awesome guy, I wish you were my lecturer!!

[@KienenKoga]

hahaha thanks! means a lot

[@desouzamaria]

Yes definately has a potential to be an awesome educator

[@jameslabs1]

Thanks

[@yesteryearr]

That introduction 😂 Love it

[@orlandomorales5875]

Kienen, im loving my carreer now that i found your youtube channel, thanks a lot, do you have any books recomendation for contractors, civil engeniers? regards!

[@KienenKoga]

hm, not really. Just reading your construction contract, plans and specs is enough lol then I would read up on personal finance! haha

[@mrajrussell]

Hello Kienen Koga, Two questions. 1) How deep, a general idea would you need piles if you built, on South Padre Island, Sea Shore on Galveston Island, or on the barrier island created by the inter-coastal waterway in Maimi /Florida? Is the pile depth going to change with the height of the building? 2) same building type, at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or more floors would the price increase per floor as the building goes higher? I mean obviously higher built, a stronger foundation is needed.

[@chris_jorge]

I’m dying to know how is everything measured. How do the workers know where to place stuff ? Or build things? Thank you for the video!!

[@michaelazzomoviessongs2652]

I loved it

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks Michael!

[@danielde6865]

Subscribed!

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks!

[@rouhollahatai8355]

Hey great video Rouhollah from sydney, could you make a video of how the colomns and beams are made and the rules of it so like similar to these this video in more details please

[@jihopark6538]

Hi. Kienen Koga. I have watched your video with a lot of interesting. I am working in general contractor as well, but I am always suffering in managing mega project like 50 stories high-rise building (either residential or office or hotel) especially in scheduling (making baseline program, and update in line with actual progress such as daily report, progress report). Can you share your best practice regarding above-mentioned works? I hope to learn from your great experience. Thank you. :-)

[@012coyang]

That was slabulous!

[@KienenKoga]

Lol well done

[@pianistprodigy1072]

i always wonder how the heck do they know where to exactly put the pipes, electrical cords in a skyscraper building...

[@xingguoxu]

the opening is very funny. haha.

[@leearningjourney]

hi, how do you design lateral load system for high rise? Do you consider seismic design as well?

[@roberharpane3524]

Of course he/they do. If it can rock due to seismic forces,, it has to be compensated for in the movement/sway design in line with wind force & such. Even in far less complex designs,, such as single family dwellings seismic activity is taken into consideration adding additional re-bar,, tie down strapping & concrete to a single or 2 story home. There's a lot of additional cost added to a single home priced in the $250-300k range. A lot of it I view as overkill now but in the name of safety & a higher authority controlling all aspects of building,, we can no longer build a home off a paper napkin design (I once actually did this when codes were far more relaxed) & codes enforcement are self appointed gods when they enter a job site. What engineers do (this man) at a far higher level is necessary,, what they do at far lower levels is or has just gotten to be too much,, it is indeed overkill. Sorry,, I know you didn't ask my opinion or a dissertation on the issue but when you mentioned "seismic",, it struck a nerve in my once long building career I put to a halt due to that very subject. It's simply crazy now what they make building contractors do & how much it cost the consumer for features that will never be utilized or needed!! Have a nice day..

[@markthompson3846]

Awsome because 15mins is all I have to spare 😂

[@KienenKoga]

lol perfect!

[@iMichaelNice]

I live in China and they began a 12 story construction project across the street from our flat ironically on the 12th floor. I notice for 2 to 3 months all they did was soggy up the ground. Even dug pools to which they had some floating devices. No idea why.

[@iceandgrimstudio6831]

Wow man nice explanation . But i want know that how much expenses for this building . And and thumbs up from pk

[@bassamgorgis]

Do you have an idea on how to build 14 stories building fast in a factory and what is the technology we should use is there new and fast technology

[@blbhansel8226]

pls the windows on a high rise building do, they have beams or just lintel and what is the normal height of this beam or lintel ?

[@LoveMusicAndMore]

When will finishing works start? From down after windows or from above going down?

[@T-co8lh]

they should build high rise buildings in Beaufort sc that would look nice here

[@eyueldereje6569]

what are some things included in the core system of the building other than the elevator.......Thanks in advance

[@marim5033]

This is a lot to manage! Which part of the project is your favorite??

[@KienenKoga]

Building the structure! Nothing makes me happier than seeing concrete get poured 🤙

[@DansGarageNC]

Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed it. When a building is done, why don't they call it a built? lol

[@KienenKoga]

Lol asking the real questions….

[@xdeepak12]

Damn u a awesome teacher but this is so overwhelming woahajaah . Damn respect for the people who built these amazing structures

[@KienenKoga]

Haha its a process for sure!

[@lucafigueiredo6005]

"Woooooooo" 😂😂 lol every woooo

[@Ricardo2707]

You're a national treasure

[@KienenKoga]

Haha thanks man!

[@surendersingal9122]

Thank you for insight into tall building basics. J surender singal

[@KienenKoga]

🤙

[@TayTay868_]

What would you say is the best contractual agreement to choose when building high rise buildings and why?

[@united.14]

How many acres of land would you need for the high rise or skyscraper

[@andrewreynolds3351]

I have a pile driver about 20 feet outside my window for the next 4 months. So that “imagine” prompt… is me

[@cathymariano2898]

I have a question. I see that most high rises and skyscrapers have brown steel build onto them. Then, after the steel is put in, it is covered and turned gray. How does the steel turn gray? Why is it covered? Does it oxidize, or get painted. Why does the steel turn gray? I have so many questions! I hope you can answer my questions, but if you don’t answer my questions than it’s okay but if you can then it would be helpful!

[@Truckguy1970]

Have you ever seen the movie The Towering Inferno? Do you have a way of explaining how they would renovate a high rise after it was damaged like it was in the movie?

[@LivPoxleitner]

How they build the floors of the building. Is there a giant thing that goes between each floor?

[@jirawatphadungvorasart7494]

Explain underground/ basement built plz

[@sarahbilovesick3349]

How deep do the piles usually go?

[@redlocket9937]

What is the most expensive part of building a skyrise apart from labor and land?

[@EdwardLing]

Do foundations usually take the longest to build?

[@mister-hmotovlog9996]

I am a CE student. Is construction engineering and management a good major? How about structural engineering?

[@louiemarsabado6530]

I am a Geodetic Engineer/Surveyor looking for a clear explanation about high rise construction methodology and this one is the most well explained! Thank you!

[@parapsychologist5402]

The Tower Cranes are put where the elevators will go, right ??

[@crisibarra2327]

Do you have an Instagram for your work? I just started my career in project engineering/ construction management for a water general contractor.

[@KienenKoga]

Awesome to hear! Not specific to work haha plus, dont want to just record everything on site.

[@caesarjadecanda6860]

is pile applicable in mid rise like 7 storey building?

[@KienenKoga]

you could....but I wouldn't be surprised if it was just typical spread foundations too.

[@ricardoapodaca207]

Question. Are buildings built straight or in angles?

[@ekenememunachi2237]

I'm from eastern Nigeria & our ground is like a red clay sand that's usually used to make bricks, when digging out the dark dirt about a feet you then get to the soil. How many feet of dept for the foundation would carry about 20 storey building, because here we don't build more than 7storeys. Only in Lagos & Abuja all in Nigeria do we have more than 18storey height, different soil though, so what's the solution

[@MindFlob]

how does the actual core support tons of materials, it seems unreal, literally thousands of tons holding from the bottom? how? how strong the bottom core is really? any comparison?

[@crisfernan14]

Eng'g and finance, one of the best content on youtube I can relate to.

[@KienenKoga]

Glad to hear, Cris!

i don't think any girls would ever ask such question when having a drink but hey, thank you so much!

[@KienenKoga]

Lol must be hanging out with the wrong girls then….

[@psikeyhackr6914]

So how do you figure out how much steel, tons, thickness of columns to use. How much more steel on the 5th level of a 120 story skyscraper than on the 115th?

[@KienenKoga]

Its all in the structural drawings we are given. The lower floors typically have substantially more reinforcing

[@psikeyhackr6914]

@@KienenKoga There is an article in an engineering magazine from the early 70s that said the heaviest perimeter panel was 22 tons. Some people call the panels 'wheatchex'. The name of the company that made them and their total weight is in the NCSTAR1 report. So why don't we know how many, and number of each different weight all of the way up the building? Why isn't the distribution of steel available on any skyscraper? All over the planet they must deal with the same gravity. The supposed top down collapse of the North Tower is unique in history. When has the conservation of momentum ever mattered so much in such a large man made mass?