About this season
MegaStructures is a documentary television series appearing on the National Geographic Channel in the United States and the United Kingdom, Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, France 5 in France, and 7mate in Australia. Each episode is an educational look of varying depth into the construction, operation, and staffing of various structures or construction projects, but not ordinary construction products. Generally containing interviews with designers and project managers, it presents the problems of construction and the methodology or techniques used to overcome obstacles. In some cases this involved the development of new materials or products that are now in general use within the construction industry. MegaStructures focuses on constructions that are extreme; in the sense that they are the biggest, tallest, longest, or deepest in the world. Alternatively, a project may appear if it had an element of novelty or are a world first. This type of project is known as a Megaproject.
Episodes (12)
1. Singapore's Vegas
Aired 5 October 2010 • 60 min
It's one of the biggest construction projects in British engineering history. A new high-speed rail line costing several billion pounds and cutting through some of the most heavily developed land on the planet to complete a high speed link between two of Europe's major capitals: the Channel Tunnel between London and Paris. High Speed One's design and construction overcame unprecedented obstacles to achieve what many thought was impossible. Step aboard to explore the engineering behind this UK super train line.
2. Skyscraper In The Round
Aired 11 May 2010 • 60 min
Uncover how Abu Dhabi's extraordinary Aldar HQ skyscraper, in the form of a circle sitting on its edge, came to be built.
3. China's Smart Tower
Aired 26 November 2010 • 60 min
The Pearl River Tower is one of the first of a new generation of super smart buildings. It will use less than half the energy of a conventional skyscraper and will harvest the forces of nature to make energy of its own. With a curved facade that faces directly into the wind, the Pearl River Tower in China's Guangzhou City is shaped for performance. With a design specific to its environment, the Pearl River Tower utilizes a multitude of energy efficient technologies in one single structure, and symbolizes the future for super-tall building design.
4. Singapore's Vegas
Aired 5 October 2010 • 60 min
The secrets behind Singapore's Marina Bay Sands development, which includes hotels, a museum, casino, waterfront promenade and theatres.
5. Secrets of Oscar Tar Bridge
Aired 9 October 2010 • 60 min
6. Impossible Island: Dubai Palm Island
Aired 21 October 2010 • 60 min
"I love what I do. I get to tear stuff up." Every day around the world, thousands of planes, trains, and automobiles get cut down to size for recycling. A jumbo jet costing a hundred million dollars becomes parts the size of beer cans in a matter of hours. An 18-ton steel rail car is attacked by some of the world's most expensive knives. And a fleet of automobiles dies a torturous death -the equivalent of an agonizing tooth extraction and an elaborate embalming ... all to process them for shredding and recycling. Finally, shredded metal is reborn as shiny new Land Rovers.
10. UK Super Train
Aired 19 January 2010 • 60 min
It's one of the biggest construction projects in British engineering history. A new high-speed rail line costing several billion pounds and cutting through some of the most heavily developed land on the planet to complete a high speed link between two of Europe's major capitals: the Channel Tunnel between London and Paris. High Speed One's design and construction overcame unprecedented obstacles to achieve what many thought was impossible. Step aboard to explore the engineering behind this UK super train line.
11. Skyscraper In The Round
Aired 11 May 2010 • 60 min
Uncover how Abu Dhabi's extraordinary Aldar HQ skyscraper, in the form of a circle sitting on its edge, came to be built.
14. Secrets of Oscar Tar Bridge
Aired 9 October 2010 • 60 min
15. Isla Palmera de Dubai
Aired 21 October 2010 • 60 min
16. Wave Energy
Aired 27 May 2010 • 60 min
21. Dubai Mega Mall
Central to Dubai’s reputation as a leisure capital is: the Dubai Mall. With an indoor aquarium, ice rink, roller coaster and 1,200 shops, it must be completed by a nearly impossible deadline