The Great Wall of China
It is a masterpiece of military defense architecture, with a total length of over 21,000 km. Furthermore, it holds the title of the longest-running construction project, from its inception in the 8th century BC by the Western Zhou Dynasty, during the reign of Chunqiu, to its final completion in 1644 with repairs carried out by the Ming Dynasty—2,000 years after its beginning.
Eh'häusl Hotel
Recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's smallest hotel, this 1728 building, with a 2.5-meter frontage and a total area of 53 square meters, can only accommodate two people at a time. This is certainly an idea that architects and builders could implement to make better use of limited space. However, part of the intrigue surrounding this tiny hotel stems from its original purpose: the building was offered as temporary housing for couples who wanted to get married but didn't own a home. This was because in the German region of Bavaria, owning a home was mandatory for marriage. Once the wedding took place, the property was returned to its original owners to be sold to a new couple in need.
Headquarters of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur)
This important work of construction in Ecuador was designed by the Quito-born architect Diego Guayasamín. With 20,000 square meters of construction and 17,000 square meters of exterior areas, it stands out primarily for having the largest unsupported cantilever in South America, spanning 56 meters. Furthermore, it is separated from the structure by seismic dampers, specially designed for this building and used for the first time in Ecuador. With a span of 5 meters and a ground floor with a construction area of just 1,500 square meters that increases with each of its five stories, this magnificent work of architecture and engineering appears to float in the air.
Machu Picchu
Did you know that since 2007, Machu Picchu has topped the list of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World through an international public competition? Another interesting fact is that it hasn't yet been definitively determined whether the nearly 55-ton stone used in its construction was manually hauled up the mountain by a large number of men or carved directly on the mountain. However, the most astonishing aspect is the perfect and precise way in which each stone has been carved and placed. It contains not a single crack that would even allow a leaf to pass between its joints.
The most expensive construction in the modern world
Did you know that the most expensive construction project in the modern world isn't on Earth? That's right. With a cost exceeding $157 billion, the International Space Station is considered the most expensive construction project in the modern world. It's also considered one of the greatest achievements of collaborative engineering, thanks to the cooperation of Europe, Japan, Russia, the United States, and Canada—countries that have worked together to make this project a reality.
Measuring approximately 100 meters long and nearly 80 meters wide, it is a modular space station. Its first module was launched into orbit on November 20, 1998, and it currently orbits at an altitude of 400 km above the Earth's surface.
Source: BSL construction company.
