Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:01,482 --> 00:00:02,689
- [Narrator] We are surrounded
2
00:00:02,689 --> 00:00:05,000
by extraordinary
feats of engineering
3
00:00:06,344 --> 00:00:09,827
constantly pushing the
boundaries of what's possible
4
00:00:09,827 --> 00:00:13,482
- Without engineering,
there'd be no modern world.
5
00:00:13,482 --> 00:00:17,896
- Gigantic cities,
amazing infrastructure and
6
00:00:19,137 --> 00:00:20,655
ingenious inventions
7
00:00:20,655 --> 00:00:24,965
- Engineering is the key to
turn dreams into reality.
8
00:00:24,965 --> 00:00:27,206
- To reach these
dizzying heights,
9
00:00:27,206 --> 00:00:29,586
today's technology
relies on breakthroughs
10
00:00:29,586 --> 00:00:31,793
made by ancient engineers.
11
00:00:31,793 --> 00:00:35,206
- It's mind boggling
how they did this.
12
00:00:35,206 --> 00:00:38,827
- How did early civilizations
build on such a scale?
13
00:00:38,827 --> 00:00:40,931
- They raised the bar
for construction in a way
14
00:00:40,931 --> 00:00:43,068
that no one thought possible.
15
00:00:43,068 --> 00:00:48,034
- The sheer engineering ability
it is in itself impressive
16
00:00:49,172 --> 00:00:51,379
- By defying the
known laws of physics
17
00:00:51,379 --> 00:00:53,000
and daring to dream big.
18
00:00:54,413 --> 00:00:58,793
They constructed wonders of the
world from gigantic pyramids
19
00:01:00,103 --> 00:01:04,689
to awe inspiring temples
and mighty fortresses.
20
00:01:05,551 --> 00:01:07,655
All with the simplest of tools.
21
00:01:07,655 --> 00:01:10,517
- Can you imagine the skills
people would have needed
22
00:01:10,517 --> 00:01:12,793
to build like this?
23
00:01:12,793 --> 00:01:16,000
- Now it's possible
to unearth the secrets
24
00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,724
of the first engineers.
25
00:01:19,655 --> 00:01:22,241
- They managed to
construct edifices
26
00:01:22,241 --> 00:01:25,034
that has survived
the ravages of time
27
00:01:25,034 --> 00:01:27,931
- And reveal how their
genius laid the foundations
28
00:01:27,931 --> 00:01:30,517
for everything we build today.
29
00:01:30,517 --> 00:01:33,310
[dramatic music]
30
00:01:43,931 --> 00:01:45,172
In the modern world,
31
00:01:47,206 --> 00:01:52,137
structures dedicated to God
still dominate city skylines.
32
00:01:55,103 --> 00:01:57,241
Built with no expense spared,
33
00:01:58,689 --> 00:02:03,137
by all the world's major
religions across the globe.
34
00:02:04,310 --> 00:02:05,344
- They are a feat
of engineering.
35
00:02:05,344 --> 00:02:08,206
They are images of heaven.
36
00:02:08,206 --> 00:02:13,206
- Amazing mosques, temples,
synagogues and churches,
37
00:02:21,172 --> 00:02:23,000
Houses of the Holy.
38
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,000
- The impact they
were designed to have
39
00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,724
is utter awe and wonder
40
00:02:27,724 --> 00:02:31,758
- But these white hot modern
wonders rely upon earlier
41
00:02:31,758 --> 00:02:32,724
breakthroughs.
42
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,068
The engineers who constructed
them using knowledge
43
00:02:36,068 --> 00:02:39,206
and skills built up
over thousands of years.
44
00:02:42,344 --> 00:02:46,517
Lessons hard won,
ancient engineers
45
00:02:46,517 --> 00:02:51,482
battled deadly collapses,
earthquakes, fire
46
00:02:52,896 --> 00:02:56,482
and warfare to create
amazing devotional buildings
47
00:02:56,482 --> 00:02:58,206
in honor of their gods.
48
00:03:00,689 --> 00:03:04,448
Building for God reached a
high point in the middle ages
49
00:03:04,448 --> 00:03:06,827
when a new engineering
movement emerged
50
00:03:08,758 --> 00:03:10,931
changing the rules forever.
51
00:03:16,137 --> 00:03:19,103
It aimed to use engineering
and architecture
52
00:03:19,103 --> 00:03:21,965
to create a glimpse
of heaven on earth.
53
00:03:25,724 --> 00:03:28,448
And it led to the creation
of some of the most beautiful
54
00:03:28,448 --> 00:03:30,896
and spectacular
buildings ever seen.
55
00:03:34,448 --> 00:03:35,931
Gothic cathedrals
56
00:03:39,586 --> 00:03:42,068
- Gothic cathedrals are not
only the most spectacular
57
00:03:42,068 --> 00:03:43,517
buildings of their age,
I think there are among
58
00:03:43,517 --> 00:03:46,172
the most spectacular
buildings of all time.
59
00:03:47,344 --> 00:03:49,000
- They are symbols
of our civilization.
60
00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,586
They are symbols of
human achievement.
61
00:03:51,586 --> 00:03:54,689
We've never really seen
anything like it again.
62
00:03:54,689 --> 00:03:58,896
- Taking centuries to build,
reaching soaring Heights
63
00:04:00,241 --> 00:04:04,655
they feature intricate walls,
ceilings of solid stone
64
00:04:04,655 --> 00:04:09,655
carved like spider silk and
vast stained glass windows
65
00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:12,724
seeming to float in midair.
66
00:04:12,724 --> 00:04:16,034
- When they go in,
people's jaws hit the floor
67
00:04:16,034 --> 00:04:18,448
and your eyes go up to the roof.
68
00:04:19,862 --> 00:04:22,068
I actually think your heels
might come off the ground a bit
69
00:04:22,068 --> 00:04:24,482
as you're transported
up to the heavens.
70
00:04:26,206 --> 00:04:28,517
- You are taken out
of the everyday world
71
00:04:28,517 --> 00:04:30,689
and you encounter
something of the divine.
72
00:04:34,586 --> 00:04:37,620
- The construction of
Europe's Gothic cathedrals
73
00:04:37,620 --> 00:04:40,172
was one of the pinnacles
of human achievement
74
00:04:43,448 --> 00:04:46,758
- We needed an engineering
revolution in design
75
00:04:46,758 --> 00:04:50,379
to be able to create that very
characteristic Gothic style.
76
00:04:52,068 --> 00:04:53,793
- These buildings have endured
77
00:04:53,793 --> 00:04:56,862
as a lasting
symbols of their age
78
00:04:56,862 --> 00:04:58,793
- To this day, Gothic
cathedrals are one of
79
00:04:58,793 --> 00:05:01,793
the most outstanding engineering
achievements of all time.
80
00:05:06,379 --> 00:05:09,137
- One of the most
iconic is Notre Dame.
81
00:05:15,034 --> 00:05:17,586
Built in the heart
of medieval Paris,
82
00:05:17,586 --> 00:05:20,172
many believe it's one of
the crowning achievements
83
00:05:20,172 --> 00:05:21,413
of the Gothic movement.
84
00:05:25,965 --> 00:05:30,310
Mainly constructed
between 1163 and 1250,
85
00:05:30,310 --> 00:05:34,275
it set out to surpass all
cathedrals that had gone before,
86
00:05:35,724 --> 00:05:38,068
to push the technology
of the day to its limits,
87
00:05:41,551 --> 00:05:43,172
taking great risks
88
00:05:45,724 --> 00:05:49,068
and completely reinventing
how a church could look.
89
00:05:50,517 --> 00:05:52,586
- There was this challenge
of massive construction
90
00:05:52,586 --> 00:05:56,379
that would be naturally heavy
but then introducing elements
91
00:05:56,379 --> 00:05:58,827
that made them like
they lighter than air.
92
00:05:59,793 --> 00:06:01,724
- How could it be done?
93
00:06:01,724 --> 00:06:03,448
- How do you build high?
94
00:06:03,448 --> 00:06:05,758
How do you stop the
walls falling down?
95
00:06:05,758 --> 00:06:08,344
How do you stop the
roof falling down?
96
00:06:08,344 --> 00:06:12,034
- The solutions arrived at in
Notre Dame were world changing
97
00:06:13,241 --> 00:06:15,758
and they've stood
the test of time.
98
00:06:15,758 --> 00:06:18,793
Innovations built into the
fabric of the cathedral
99
00:06:18,793 --> 00:06:21,034
were copied again and
again in structures
100
00:06:21,034 --> 00:06:22,827
across Europe and beyond.
101
00:06:24,344 --> 00:06:26,241
So what are the
engineering secrets
102
00:06:26,241 --> 00:06:29,172
that made these spectacular
new marvels a reality?
103
00:06:39,689 --> 00:06:42,137
To create Gothic,
medieval architects
104
00:06:42,137 --> 00:06:44,586
would need to
rewrite the rule book
105
00:06:44,586 --> 00:06:47,068
and challenge engineering
principles laid down
106
00:06:47,068 --> 00:06:48,551
in the earliest churches.
107
00:06:51,482 --> 00:06:53,862
These simple structures
had their roots
108
00:06:53,862 --> 00:06:56,172
in a building from the
pre-Christian world.
109
00:06:58,000 --> 00:06:59,965
The Roman Basilica.
110
00:06:59,965 --> 00:07:02,517
- The Basilican form is
not a religious building
111
00:07:02,517 --> 00:07:03,724
in origins at all.
112
00:07:03,724 --> 00:07:06,137
It's legal building
or a law court.
113
00:07:07,862 --> 00:07:10,000
- A Basilica was
always a predictable
114
00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,413
rectangular shaped building.
115
00:07:12,413 --> 00:07:15,862
It would have a nave and two
or more aisles at each side,
116
00:07:17,206 --> 00:07:21,931
a high roof vaulted with a
half dome and a raised tribunal
117
00:07:23,068 --> 00:07:25,034
that Roman tribunes
would have stood upon.
118
00:07:26,241 --> 00:07:27,689
Many of the features
that would be found
119
00:07:27,689 --> 00:07:30,137
in the cathedrals and
churches that would follow.
120
00:07:31,310 --> 00:07:33,689
Essentially the Gothic
cathedral did originate
121
00:07:33,689 --> 00:07:35,172
from the Roman Basilica.
122
00:07:35,172 --> 00:07:37,724
- From there we are transept
and then we are at towers.
123
00:07:37,724 --> 00:07:42,344
So it all evolves throughout
the next two, three, 400 years.
124
00:07:42,344 --> 00:07:45,827
- Basilicas like the
cathedrals that came after them
125
00:07:45,827 --> 00:07:49,620
were usually built in the
very heart of a town or city,
126
00:07:49,620 --> 00:07:51,241
prestige buildings.
127
00:07:52,827 --> 00:07:56,068
- What happens is that these
basilicas are taken over
128
00:07:56,068 --> 00:07:57,620
by the church.
129
00:07:57,620 --> 00:08:01,448
The Basilica form is
then reproduced again
130
00:08:01,448 --> 00:08:03,655
and again and again
in early churches.
131
00:08:08,896 --> 00:08:12,068
- In the fourth century,
dramatic events in Rome
132
00:08:12,068 --> 00:08:16,172
would speed up the transition
from Basilica to church.
133
00:08:18,482 --> 00:08:22,206
Inspired by a series of
religious dreams and visions,
134
00:08:22,206 --> 00:08:25,344
the Emperor Constantine
made Christianity legal.
135
00:08:28,206 --> 00:08:31,413
10 years later, it became
the official religion
136
00:08:31,413 --> 00:08:32,827
of the Roman empire.
137
00:08:34,172 --> 00:08:38,137
By the sixth century, the
Western Roman empire had fallen.
138
00:08:38,137 --> 00:08:40,931
What survived lay in the East.
139
00:08:40,931 --> 00:08:43,689
It came to be known as
the Byzantine Empire
140
00:08:43,689 --> 00:08:45,758
and it straddled
Europe and Asia.
141
00:08:46,655 --> 00:08:49,000
Its capital was Constantinople.
142
00:08:50,413 --> 00:08:53,620
The Byzantine empire was
the most important economic,
143
00:08:53,620 --> 00:08:56,344
cultural and military
power in Europe
144
00:08:56,344 --> 00:08:58,965
leading the world in
mathematics and engineering.
145
00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:05,620
In 532, the new emperor
Justinian wanted to signal
146
00:09:05,620 --> 00:09:09,448
his prestige with a
spectacular Christian Church.
147
00:09:10,862 --> 00:09:15,000
It would be known as the
Hagia Sophia or Holy wisdom.
148
00:09:17,655 --> 00:09:20,413
Justinian imagined
a vast interior,
149
00:09:22,310 --> 00:09:25,068
topped by a huge
and dazzling dome.
150
00:09:26,482 --> 00:09:30,275
And that presented a major
engineering challenge.
151
00:09:30,275 --> 00:09:32,034
- They wouldn't
have had any idea
152
00:09:32,034 --> 00:09:33,586
whether that building
would have worked
153
00:09:33,586 --> 00:09:35,137
because there's
nothing else like it.
154
00:09:35,137 --> 00:09:37,137
They're stepping
off into the unknown
155
00:09:38,655 --> 00:09:41,241
- Could such an audacious
design be made a reality?
156
00:09:42,448 --> 00:09:44,448
For those charged
with building it,
157
00:09:44,448 --> 00:09:46,448
the pressures would
have been immense.
158
00:09:48,689 --> 00:09:51,551
- I can imagine the construction
site at the Hagia Sophia
159
00:09:51,551 --> 00:09:53,000
was incredibly stressful
160
00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,965
because you were
embarking on the unknown.
161
00:09:55,965 --> 00:09:58,827
- With a planned
height of 183 feet,
162
00:10:00,172 --> 00:10:03,620
and a footprint of nearly
65,000 square feet,
163
00:10:05,482 --> 00:10:08,724
the Hagia Sophia would
be a huge building.
164
00:10:08,724 --> 00:10:10,862
- Two things happen when
you increase the height
165
00:10:10,862 --> 00:10:12,068
of the building.
166
00:10:12,068 --> 00:10:13,862
One of them is that
you expose the building
167
00:10:13,862 --> 00:10:15,517
to a lot more wind force.
168
00:10:17,103 --> 00:10:19,931
The other thing is the
building itself weighs more
169
00:10:19,931 --> 00:10:21,827
and that increases the
loads on the foundations
170
00:10:21,827 --> 00:10:22,827
that are underneath.
171
00:10:24,862 --> 00:10:27,448
- Workers would need
to dig deep foundations
172
00:10:27,448 --> 00:10:30,724
into thick bed rock
with limited tools.
173
00:10:35,413 --> 00:10:38,896
Today mechanical
excavators dig foundations
174
00:10:41,034 --> 00:10:43,379
which are then
reinforced with concrete.
175
00:10:46,827 --> 00:10:51,137
In 2014 the Wilshire Grand
Center in Los Angeles
176
00:10:51,137 --> 00:10:54,896
took foundation construction
to a whole new level.
177
00:10:54,896 --> 00:10:58,000
It required a single
gargantuan slab of concrete
178
00:10:59,413 --> 00:11:01,620
sufficiently robust to stabilize
179
00:11:01,620 --> 00:11:03,068
the building in an earthquake
180
00:11:08,241 --> 00:11:12,689
calling for a lot of concrete
to be poured in one go.
181
00:11:14,551 --> 00:11:18,413
Engineers choreographed
2000 truckloads of concrete
182
00:11:19,758 --> 00:11:22,448
pouring continuously
for 20 hours
183
00:11:24,275 --> 00:11:25,689
breaking the world record
184
00:11:25,689 --> 00:11:28,275
at the time for the
largest uninterrupted pour.
185
00:11:30,896 --> 00:11:34,275
When completed, the
foundations were 18 feet deep
186
00:11:34,275 --> 00:11:37,068
and weighed a mighty
84 million pounds.
187
00:11:39,931 --> 00:11:42,827
They support the tallest
building in Los Angeles.
188
00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:49,103
An office and hotel
complex reaching 1099 feet
189
00:11:57,137 --> 00:12:01,137
In sixth century Constantinople,
the Emperor Justinian
190
00:12:01,137 --> 00:12:03,551
had started his own
record breaking building,
191
00:12:04,448 --> 00:12:05,758
the Hagia Sophia.
192
00:12:07,241 --> 00:12:09,862
To ensure success,
he turned to two
193
00:12:09,862 --> 00:12:13,551
of the greatest geometers
or engineers of his day
194
00:12:14,965 --> 00:12:18,034
Isidore of Miletus and
Anthemius of Tralles.
195
00:12:20,931 --> 00:12:23,758
Before they could
construct the massive dome,
196
00:12:23,758 --> 00:12:26,068
they had to solve
the geometric problem
197
00:12:27,310 --> 00:12:30,448
of placing a circle
on top of a square.
198
00:12:30,448 --> 00:12:32,724
- What domes tried
to do is flatten.
199
00:12:32,724 --> 00:12:34,241
So they push outwards.
200
00:12:34,241 --> 00:12:36,793
So what you do in that case
is you have to tie the base
201
00:12:36,793 --> 00:12:39,827
of the dome together so
the forces are resisted
202
00:12:39,827 --> 00:12:42,000
and only vertical
loads go down the walls
203
00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,275
'cause it's the horizontal loads
204
00:12:43,275 --> 00:12:44,862
that would push the walls over.
205
00:12:46,206 --> 00:12:49,206
The architect's designed
for massive piers
206
00:12:49,206 --> 00:12:51,758
to stand at each
corner of the square.
207
00:12:53,758 --> 00:12:56,758
On top of the piers,
they built four arches
208
00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,724
and fill the spaces
between with masonry
209
00:13:00,724 --> 00:13:05,206
to create curved triangular
shapes called pendentives.
210
00:13:08,448 --> 00:13:10,758
These combined with
the tops of the arches
211
00:13:10,758 --> 00:13:13,068
to create a strong
base for the dome.
212
00:13:15,586 --> 00:13:19,241
The engineers recruited 10,000
workers to get the job done.
213
00:13:21,931 --> 00:13:26,000
And in 537 AD, after
little more than five years
214
00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,448
construction time,
it was complete.
215
00:13:32,137 --> 00:13:34,965
The structures dome
towered over the city.
216
00:13:45,068 --> 00:13:47,586
From inside the dome
appears to float
217
00:13:47,586 --> 00:13:49,137
above a ring of windows.
218
00:13:50,310 --> 00:13:52,896
These led in a flood
of celestial light
219
00:13:52,896 --> 00:13:54,827
to illuminate the nave below.
220
00:13:56,758 --> 00:14:00,482
At the time, this was the
world's largest interior space
221
00:14:01,862 --> 00:14:04,379
and the most complex
building yet constructed.
222
00:14:08,551 --> 00:14:11,551
Isidore and Anthemius
had solved the problem
223
00:14:11,551 --> 00:14:15,482
of dome architecture in a
stroke of engineering genius.
224
00:14:22,379 --> 00:14:26,862
But it wasn't long before the
Hagia Sophia faced disaster.
225
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,931
- Despite Justinian having
the best technologies
226
00:14:31,931 --> 00:14:34,827
available to him at the time,
he is still at the mercy
227
00:14:34,827 --> 00:14:36,965
ultimately of the gods
in the natural world
228
00:14:39,448 --> 00:14:44,448
- In 558AD, a major earthquake
struck Constantinople
229
00:14:48,793 --> 00:14:51,931
The dome failed
collapsing in ruins.
230
00:14:57,517 --> 00:15:00,689
It was soon rebuilt in a
taller and stronger form.
231
00:15:02,034 --> 00:15:04,206
Over the centuries,
earthquakes have continued
232
00:15:04,206 --> 00:15:06,655
to inflict damage
on the Hagia Sophia
233
00:15:08,827 --> 00:15:12,000
but this magnificent
structure still stands today,
234
00:15:13,482 --> 00:15:17,103
a landmark in the
history of engineering
235
00:15:17,103 --> 00:15:20,758
- It shows the fundamental
strength of the principles
236
00:15:20,758 --> 00:15:23,379
that they are applying
that despite earthquake,
237
00:15:23,379 --> 00:15:25,931
despite war it's still there.
238
00:15:32,793 --> 00:15:35,379
- Even modern day
engineers struggle
239
00:15:35,379 --> 00:15:38,827
when faced with the destructive
power of earthquakes.
240
00:15:41,551 --> 00:15:44,655
In Kobe Japan in 1995,
241
00:15:44,655 --> 00:15:49,655
a quake measuring 7.2 on the
Richter scale wreaked havoc
242
00:15:51,034 --> 00:15:52,896
toppling countless buildings
and an elevated freeway.
243
00:15:56,034 --> 00:16:00,517
In total that caused $100
billion worth of damage.
244
00:16:06,931 --> 00:16:10,344
- What we've learned from
recent earthquakes like in Kobe
245
00:16:10,344 --> 00:16:13,206
is that every single
earthquake is different.
246
00:16:13,206 --> 00:16:15,896
It has its own
fingerprints, if you like.
247
00:16:15,896 --> 00:16:17,655
Every time an
earthquake happens,
248
00:16:17,655 --> 00:16:19,344
engineers learned something new
249
00:16:19,344 --> 00:16:21,275
and they apply it on
the next building.
250
00:16:22,827 --> 00:16:26,000
- Most buildings are designed
to support a vertical load
251
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,103
flowing down through the walls
252
00:16:28,103 --> 00:16:31,206
but not a horizontal
load pushing sideways.
253
00:16:34,068 --> 00:16:37,758
And in earthquakes it's
often the horizontal forces
254
00:16:37,758 --> 00:16:39,310
that do the damage.
255
00:16:39,310 --> 00:16:42,241
- When an earthquake
hits a structure,
256
00:16:42,241 --> 00:16:46,344
the structure is going to be
shaken in a sideways motion
257
00:16:46,344 --> 00:16:49,068
and these forces can
also push the building up
258
00:16:49,068 --> 00:16:50,655
and down as well as sideways.
259
00:16:50,655 --> 00:16:54,379
And that was kind of what makes
it so chaotic and intense.
260
00:16:54,379 --> 00:16:59,379
- That change in direction
which cause forces and stresses
261
00:17:00,551 --> 00:17:02,379
in the building and
cause things to break
262
00:17:04,689 --> 00:17:07,620
- One high-tech solution
is to protect a building
263
00:17:07,620 --> 00:17:09,965
through base isolation.
264
00:17:09,965 --> 00:17:12,620
Constructing it on
giant flexible pads
265
00:17:12,620 --> 00:17:14,931
made of steel and a rubber
266
00:17:14,931 --> 00:17:17,655
or pits of ball
bearings and Springs.
267
00:17:18,862 --> 00:17:22,413
When a quake strikes,
the isolators vibrate
268
00:17:22,413 --> 00:17:25,000
but the building itself
should remain steady.
269
00:17:27,103 --> 00:17:29,931
Incredibly, a similar
solution was developed
270
00:17:29,931 --> 00:17:33,965
by Chinese engineers
2,500 years ago.
271
00:17:35,103 --> 00:17:37,965
They designed a bracket
system called dougong
272
00:17:37,965 --> 00:17:40,620
that can even survive
modern day shake tests.
273
00:17:41,689 --> 00:17:44,310
The dougong is a
masterpiece of joinery,
274
00:17:44,310 --> 00:17:46,551
a series of interlocking beams,
275
00:17:46,551 --> 00:17:49,310
each cut to precise
measurements.
276
00:17:49,310 --> 00:17:52,379
When compressed under the
heavy roof, the system
277
00:17:52,379 --> 00:17:55,310
is very strong yet
remarkably flexible.
278
00:17:56,724 --> 00:17:59,448
None of the individual
pieces are fixed or glued
279
00:17:59,448 --> 00:18:02,379
and the supporting columns
are also free standing.
280
00:18:02,379 --> 00:18:04,206
so the building
moves with a quake
281
00:18:06,896 --> 00:18:07,862
And it's worked
282
00:18:09,103 --> 00:18:11,827
Many ancient Chinese
buildings have survived
283
00:18:11,827 --> 00:18:13,137
numerous earthquakes.
284
00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,206
This principle underpins another
285
00:18:17,206 --> 00:18:19,482
modern earthquake-proofing
technology.
286
00:18:21,379 --> 00:18:24,379
- Another way is to put a
damper inside the building.
287
00:18:24,379 --> 00:18:26,655
When the earthquake
pushes in one direction,
288
00:18:26,655 --> 00:18:28,655
the dumper moves in
the other direction.
289
00:18:28,655 --> 00:18:30,862
So it counteracts the forces.
290
00:18:30,862 --> 00:18:34,068
- Taipei 101 has a
damper system featuring
291
00:18:34,068 --> 00:18:37,172
a mighty 728 ton pendulum.
292
00:18:39,620 --> 00:18:42,793
It's made of 41
layers of steel plates
293
00:18:42,793 --> 00:18:45,827
suspended by eight steel cables.
294
00:18:45,827 --> 00:18:49,689
Below are 16 hydraulic
viscous dampers
295
00:18:49,689 --> 00:18:52,275
eight slanted and eight level.
296
00:18:53,448 --> 00:18:56,068
The pendulum moves to
counteract strong winds
297
00:18:56,068 --> 00:19:01,000
and even earthquakes reducing
building vibration by 40%.
298
00:19:03,206 --> 00:19:04,965
- It's incredibly impressive.
299
00:19:04,965 --> 00:19:08,724
When you think about it's a
very simple use of physics
300
00:19:08,724 --> 00:19:11,862
to protect a building
but incredibly effective.
301
00:19:13,034 --> 00:19:15,241
- There's no doubt these
engineering developments
302
00:19:15,241 --> 00:19:19,586
have helped tall structures
survive earthquakes
303
00:19:29,206 --> 00:19:32,655
In medieval France, a different
kind of seismic change
304
00:19:32,655 --> 00:19:34,000
was about to occur.
305
00:19:36,034 --> 00:19:39,068
This time it wasn't
earthquakes that posed a threat
306
00:19:39,068 --> 00:19:40,758
to traditional churches
307
00:19:42,827 --> 00:19:45,965
but the ambition of a
new breed of engineer.
308
00:19:47,379 --> 00:19:50,000
Leading the way, Abbot Suger.
309
00:19:51,137 --> 00:19:54,103
Close to the King of
France and to the Pope,
310
00:19:54,103 --> 00:19:57,275
Suger was an influential
figure of his age.
311
00:19:59,137 --> 00:20:02,586
His prestigious
Abbey Saint-Denis,
312
00:20:02,586 --> 00:20:04,724
stood on the outskirts of Paris,
313
00:20:06,137 --> 00:20:08,275
but was in dire
need of renovation.
314
00:20:10,827 --> 00:20:14,551
Suger make-over plans
called for nothing less
315
00:20:14,551 --> 00:20:16,482
than an engineering revolution.
316
00:20:19,655 --> 00:20:21,344
Until now the options
317
00:20:21,344 --> 00:20:23,896
had been limited for
European churches.
318
00:20:25,482 --> 00:20:28,586
Most were built in a bulky
and squat style known
319
00:20:28,586 --> 00:20:33,586
as Romanesque, heavy roofs
supported by thick walls
320
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,275
with small windows
casting very little light
321
00:20:39,275 --> 00:20:40,827
into cramped interiors.
322
00:20:42,275 --> 00:20:45,482
Suger believed a new
form of engineering
323
00:20:45,482 --> 00:20:47,827
could make a new kind
of church possible.
324
00:20:50,241 --> 00:20:55,206
His ultimate goal to get more
heavenly light into his Abbey.
325
00:20:56,793 --> 00:21:00,137
- Christ and God was
seen as lux, light,
326
00:21:00,137 --> 00:21:01,620
the light of the world.
327
00:21:01,620 --> 00:21:04,000
And so the more lights you
could get into your building,
328
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,827
the closer you could
get man to God.
329
00:21:06,827 --> 00:21:11,172
- Light would help create an
experience of heaven on earth
330
00:21:11,172 --> 00:21:14,517
inspiring religious
fervor in church goers.
331
00:21:18,206 --> 00:21:21,379
But how could Suger develop
the engineering tools
332
00:21:21,379 --> 00:21:22,586
to achieve this?
333
00:21:24,931 --> 00:21:26,275
It wouldn't be easy.
334
00:21:31,896 --> 00:21:33,344
- The simple problem
of getting light
335
00:21:33,344 --> 00:21:34,620
into a massive building,
336
00:21:34,620 --> 00:21:37,034
is that you need to
make holes in walls
337
00:21:37,034 --> 00:21:40,275
and yet those walls
support the roof.
338
00:21:40,275 --> 00:21:43,551
So to put windows into
walls you need to make sure
339
00:21:43,551 --> 00:21:47,103
that those walls themselves
on not weight-bearing.
340
00:21:47,103 --> 00:21:50,137
- Suger needed a new
approach to construction.
341
00:21:51,551 --> 00:21:54,862
In the process he'd kickstart
what would become known
342
00:21:54,862 --> 00:21:56,551
as Gothic architecture.
343
00:21:59,586 --> 00:22:03,551
Work began on Saint-Denis
around the year 1135.
344
00:22:04,931 --> 00:22:08,206
The first engineering
innovation was the use
345
00:22:08,206 --> 00:22:09,655
of the pointed arch.
346
00:22:11,034 --> 00:22:14,931
At this time, most churches
had conventional rounded arches
347
00:22:16,241 --> 00:22:19,379
weight from above was
distributed out to the sides.
348
00:22:20,793 --> 00:22:23,586
Thick walls were required
to resist these forces
349
00:22:25,137 --> 00:22:29,344
but to achieve his new vision,
Suger needed tall thin walls
350
00:22:29,344 --> 00:22:30,896
with large windows.
351
00:22:33,310 --> 00:22:38,310
The pointed arch distributes
weight downwards not sideways.
352
00:22:39,448 --> 00:22:41,172
So heavy walls would
no longer be necessary.
353
00:22:43,034 --> 00:22:46,551
A second innovation helped
reduce the load even further.
354
00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:53,689
Ribbed vaulted ceilings work
like a skeleton of stone
355
00:22:55,103 --> 00:22:58,758
thick supporting ribs
with a thinner stone skin
356
00:22:58,758 --> 00:23:00,413
filling the space between.
357
00:23:02,862 --> 00:23:05,344
- What the narrowness of
those ribs actually does
358
00:23:05,344 --> 00:23:08,206
is allow you to transfer
more weight from above
359
00:23:08,206 --> 00:23:10,379
and it takes it
directly downwards
360
00:23:10,379 --> 00:23:13,517
rather than pushing
the walls out.
361
00:23:13,517 --> 00:23:15,896
- Revolting was
extremely revolutionary.
362
00:23:15,896 --> 00:23:17,482
The excess tension
was taken down
363
00:23:17,482 --> 00:23:20,827
into your small slender piers
so everything could be lifted
364
00:23:20,827 --> 00:23:23,000
upwards, could be lifted
outwards. and the tension
365
00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:26,137
was taken down once
without just collapsing in.
366
00:23:26,137 --> 00:23:31,034
- It's effect was to make the
vault or ceiling much lighter.
367
00:23:31,034 --> 00:23:33,827
- You have these thin ribs
going up into the ceiling
368
00:23:33,827 --> 00:23:35,758
and peeling off in
wonderful curve.
369
00:23:35,758 --> 00:23:38,793
So they almost looked
like the bowels of a tree,
370
00:23:38,793 --> 00:23:42,000
very very delicate
and yet so good
371
00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,206
at supporting immense weight
372
00:23:46,137 --> 00:23:49,827
- But even with a reduced
load, some sideways pressure
373
00:23:49,827 --> 00:23:51,448
pushed against the walls.
374
00:23:53,034 --> 00:23:56,413
So Sujer and his architect
made use of the feature
375
00:23:56,413 --> 00:23:59,241
that now truly defines
Gothic architecture.
376
00:24:01,310 --> 00:24:02,793
The flying buttress
377
00:24:04,206 --> 00:24:07,482
- Flying buttresses are sort
of the epitomy of Gothic
378
00:24:07,482 --> 00:24:11,000
which create a sort of
skeletal structural cage
379
00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:13,310
around the exterior
that holds up
380
00:24:13,310 --> 00:24:15,379
this light airy
structure within it.
381
00:24:18,034 --> 00:24:20,896
Piers or buttresses,
outside the building
382
00:24:20,896 --> 00:24:23,103
are connected using
sloped fliers.
383
00:24:24,034 --> 00:24:26,034
These take horizontal forces
384
00:24:26,034 --> 00:24:27,827
and redirect them to the ground.
385
00:24:29,586 --> 00:24:31,827
They took the weight,
which was pressed outward
386
00:24:31,827 --> 00:24:33,862
on the walls and
they absorbed it down
387
00:24:33,862 --> 00:24:36,344
to strong buttresses
on the outside
388
00:24:37,551 --> 00:24:39,758
- Flying buttresses
are thin and separated
389
00:24:39,758 --> 00:24:42,482
from the building so they
don't block out light.
390
00:24:44,068 --> 00:24:45,655
And with thinner walls,
391
00:24:45,655 --> 00:24:49,344
it was possible to engineer
huge stained glass windows
392
00:24:50,448 --> 00:24:52,103
on a monumental scale.
393
00:24:55,413 --> 00:24:58,000
Just as Abbot
Suger had intended,
394
00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,000
they allowed
daylight to flood in.
395
00:25:02,827 --> 00:25:04,896
- The link between
light and the divine
396
00:25:04,896 --> 00:25:06,758
is actually a very ancient idea,
397
00:25:08,172 --> 00:25:10,827
but the Gothic architects
were the first ones
398
00:25:10,827 --> 00:25:14,517
who managed to bring it
into the construction
399
00:25:14,517 --> 00:25:17,551
of immense buildings
in a coherent way
400
00:25:18,965 --> 00:25:23,206
- Completed in 1144, the
rebuilt Abbey of Saint-Denis
401
00:25:23,206 --> 00:25:25,103
was an engineering triumph.
402
00:25:27,103 --> 00:25:29,448
Here for the first
time in one place,
403
00:25:29,448 --> 00:25:34,172
were the three defining elements
of Gothic pointed arches,
404
00:25:34,172 --> 00:25:37,379
rib vaulted ceilings
and flying buttresses.
405
00:25:41,586 --> 00:25:45,068
- What Suger did at
Saint-Denis was so spectacular
406
00:25:45,068 --> 00:25:48,344
but it becomes a
blueprint for cathedrals
407
00:25:48,344 --> 00:25:49,931
across Northern Europe.
408
00:25:51,620 --> 00:25:53,965
- The result of the
innovations at Saint-Denis
409
00:25:53,965 --> 00:25:55,241
was spectacular.
410
00:25:56,931 --> 00:26:01,793
A gravity defying
lightness, soaring ceilings,
411
00:26:01,793 --> 00:26:05,103
a delicate house of cards,
suffused with light.
412
00:26:09,931 --> 00:26:12,482
The success of this
new Gothic engineering
413
00:26:12,482 --> 00:26:16,793
lay in moving stone
from inside to outside
414
00:26:16,793 --> 00:26:19,586
leaving the interior
open and uncluttered,
415
00:26:23,103 --> 00:26:26,000
a lesson modern engineers
haven't forgotten.
416
00:26:30,034 --> 00:26:34,517
800 years after Saint-Denis,
a new building in Paris
417
00:26:34,517 --> 00:26:37,172
would once again turn
the world upside down.
418
00:26:39,931 --> 00:26:44,000
The Pompidou Centre
opened in 1977
419
00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:47,344
It's the first example of a
modern inside out building.
420
00:26:48,655 --> 00:26:52,000
All of its plumbing,
electrics and air con systems
421
00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:55,137
have been moved to the
outside of the structure
422
00:26:55,137 --> 00:26:57,413
where they're celebrated
in bright colors.
423
00:26:59,379 --> 00:27:01,034
Just as at Saint-Denis,
424
00:27:01,034 --> 00:27:04,000
The motivation was to
create more space inside.
425
00:27:07,172 --> 00:27:10,137
Engineering driving new
forms of construction.
426
00:27:15,586 --> 00:27:19,620
In 1986, the Lloyd's Building
in the city of London
427
00:27:19,620 --> 00:27:22,172
pulled the same trick
shifting services
428
00:27:22,172 --> 00:27:26,655
to the exterior,
but this time upward
429
00:27:26,655 --> 00:27:29,896
creating cavernous
interiors filled with light.
430
00:27:31,103 --> 00:27:32,965
- This is sort of like
putting your skeleton
431
00:27:32,965 --> 00:27:34,344
on the outside of your body
432
00:27:34,344 --> 00:27:36,655
so that you can see
how your body works.
433
00:27:36,655 --> 00:27:38,827
You create some
interesting architecture,
434
00:27:38,827 --> 00:27:41,965
engineers love it,
but not everybody does
435
00:27:41,965 --> 00:27:44,517
- Never again, would an
architect need to hide
436
00:27:44,517 --> 00:27:46,413
the working guts of a building.
437
00:27:47,517 --> 00:27:49,896
- I really love
inside out buildings.
438
00:27:49,896 --> 00:27:53,482
And what I really like about
places like the Pompidou Center
439
00:27:53,482 --> 00:27:57,172
is that you can really see
how the structure works.
440
00:27:59,103 --> 00:28:02,000
- Groundbreaking
engineering sets trends
441
00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:03,551
that inspires imitation.
442
00:28:05,034 --> 00:28:06,965
And in 12th century Europe,
443
00:28:06,965 --> 00:28:09,241
this was certainly
true of Saint-Denis.
444
00:28:19,137 --> 00:28:22,620
Suger's New Abbey
had caused a stir.
445
00:28:22,620 --> 00:28:24,620
It's adventurous
style would inspire
446
00:28:24,620 --> 00:28:27,241
one of the greatest
cathedrals of all time
447
00:28:28,620 --> 00:28:32,689
and a pinnacle of French Gothic
architecture, Notre-Dame.
448
00:28:37,103 --> 00:28:41,034
The Bishop of Paris, Maurice
de Sully was determined
449
00:28:41,034 --> 00:28:43,827
to outdo his rival Abbot Suger.
450
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,103
Like Saint-Denis,
Notre Dame Cathedral
451
00:28:49,103 --> 00:28:52,344
was no longer fit for
purpose and De Sully
452
00:28:52,344 --> 00:28:55,103
wanted the latest engineering
for his own renovation.
453
00:28:57,965 --> 00:29:00,758
- It really was
a cathedral race.
454
00:29:00,758 --> 00:29:03,000
- There's almost
certainly a one-upmanship
455
00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:05,172
that's going on all
over North and Europe.
456
00:29:07,413 --> 00:29:11,655
Threw down the gauntlet
to his cathedral builders.
457
00:29:11,655 --> 00:29:14,758
The challenge,
construct a church
458
00:29:14,758 --> 00:29:19,551
in the style established at
Saint-Denis, but on steroids
459
00:29:19,551 --> 00:29:21,413
- What they were doing at
Notre Dame is essentially
460
00:29:21,413 --> 00:29:24,413
supersizing what had just
been achieved at Saint-Denis
461
00:29:24,413 --> 00:29:28,931
And it was very audacious to
actually say, we can do more.
462
00:29:28,931 --> 00:29:30,793
The architects of Notre Dame,
463
00:29:30,793 --> 00:29:34,482
they wanna pick it up and they
wanna push it even further.
464
00:29:34,482 --> 00:29:36,758
And they want to
build a church bigger
465
00:29:36,758 --> 00:29:39,068
than anything that
had been built before.
466
00:29:42,620 --> 00:29:46,896
Work began on the reconstruction
of Notre Dame in 1163
467
00:29:46,896 --> 00:29:48,689
when its cornerstone was laid
468
00:29:50,241 --> 00:29:54,862
it was a colossal undertaking
several hundred workers,
469
00:29:54,862 --> 00:29:59,379
a building site full of
noise and dust, the smoke
470
00:29:59,379 --> 00:30:03,965
and fire forges, the
rasp of carpenter saws,
471
00:30:05,344 --> 00:30:09,310
stone dust thick in the air
as masons cut and carved
472
00:30:09,310 --> 00:30:10,241
and polished.
473
00:30:13,206 --> 00:30:16,655
- It's bringing in so
many people to do the work
474
00:30:16,655 --> 00:30:19,827
that it helps to transform
the economy of Paris.
475
00:30:19,827 --> 00:30:23,310
- The architects of the
time were master masons,
476
00:30:24,931 --> 00:30:28,241
men of vision and
skill who use geometry
477
00:30:28,241 --> 00:30:31,137
to create sophisticated
patterns in stone.
478
00:30:35,206 --> 00:30:39,068
Once foundations were in place,
engineers could make a start
479
00:30:39,068 --> 00:30:40,758
on the walls of the church.
480
00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,206
De Sully wanted taller walls
481
00:30:46,482 --> 00:30:49,241
so much bigger flying
buttresses would be needed
482
00:30:49,241 --> 00:30:50,586
than at Santa-Denis.
483
00:30:54,517 --> 00:30:59,448
As the walls soared higher,
scaffolding became necessary.
484
00:30:59,448 --> 00:31:02,827
It was hung as a section from
the walls and lifted higher
485
00:31:02,827 --> 00:31:04,413
as the wall height increased
486
00:31:05,827 --> 00:31:08,551
Building cathedrals was an
incredibly dangerous process.
487
00:31:08,551 --> 00:31:11,931
You're thinking about carrying
blocks up immense heights
488
00:31:11,931 --> 00:31:15,103
in an age before they have
proper modern scaffolding
489
00:31:16,241 --> 00:31:17,551
- They need to be brave.
490
00:31:20,862 --> 00:31:24,034
And there are tragedies there
are accidents people die
491
00:31:24,034 --> 00:31:27,827
- But how did medieval
builders haul huge rocks
492
00:31:27,827 --> 00:31:28,758
high up in the air?
493
00:31:33,379 --> 00:31:36,965
Today city skylines
are dominated by cranes
494
00:31:38,379 --> 00:31:40,793
mechanized equivalents
of a tool invented
495
00:31:40,793 --> 00:31:45,689
around 1700 years
ago, the windlass.
496
00:31:45,689 --> 00:31:49,482
This early form of winch was
designed to lift heavy weights.
497
00:31:50,896 --> 00:31:53,448
Medieval engineers adapted
it to create a crane
498
00:31:54,655 --> 00:31:56,896
attaching the winch
to a large wheel.
499
00:31:59,517 --> 00:32:01,586
Like some giant hamster wheel,
500
00:32:01,586 --> 00:32:04,000
the human inside
provided muscle power
501
00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:06,827
to efficiently lift
heavy loads of stone.
502
00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:10,551
Placed high in the building,
503
00:32:10,551 --> 00:32:12,896
it was used to lift
all the elements needed
504
00:32:12,896 --> 00:32:14,758
for the roof and vault.
505
00:32:14,758 --> 00:32:16,103
- The vaulting
was very important
506
00:32:16,103 --> 00:32:19,034
because it was something
beautiful to look up to.
507
00:32:19,034 --> 00:32:20,965
That was the whole point
of the Gothic cathedrals
508
00:32:20,965 --> 00:32:22,931
so your eyes were
raised up to the ceiling
509
00:32:22,931 --> 00:32:24,379
so it needed to be beautiful.
510
00:32:30,172 --> 00:32:32,034
- Construction of the
roof and the vault
511
00:32:32,034 --> 00:32:35,724
was one of the most dangerous
stages of cathedral building.
512
00:32:35,724 --> 00:32:37,862
And even today roof construction
513
00:32:37,862 --> 00:32:39,758
can be an engineering nightmare.
514
00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:46,827
In 2003, a new terminal open
at Charles de Gaulle Airport
515
00:32:46,827 --> 00:32:49,206
15 miles Northeast of Paris,
516
00:32:51,586 --> 00:32:55,448
Terminal two featured a
futuristic concrete tube
517
00:32:55,448 --> 00:33:00,379
cut through with windows
designed to awe inspiring
518
00:33:02,034 --> 00:33:05,068
but sometimes the
vision of architects
519
00:33:05,068 --> 00:33:10,068
conflicts with on the ground
realities faced by engineers.
520
00:33:11,448 --> 00:33:14,793
- Quite often you get this
battle of form versus function.
521
00:33:14,793 --> 00:33:16,758
And as engineers,
we're obviously trained
522
00:33:16,758 --> 00:33:20,448
to come at this from a
very pragmatic approach
523
00:33:20,448 --> 00:33:23,896
and the artistic nature of
it comes second to that.
524
00:33:25,310 --> 00:33:28,724
- 11 months after opening
a section of roof collapsed
525
00:33:34,931 --> 00:33:38,413
The disaster killed four
people and injured more.
526
00:33:39,758 --> 00:33:42,344
An investigation revealed
the main roof beam
527
00:33:42,344 --> 00:33:46,034
and concrete reinforcing
weren't strong enough
528
00:33:46,034 --> 00:33:48,172
and this contributed
to the collapse.
529
00:33:51,551 --> 00:33:53,103
- The tragic collapse of the
530
00:33:53,103 --> 00:33:54,965
Charles de Gaulle
Airport building
531
00:33:54,965 --> 00:33:58,379
just shows how critical it
is for engineers to be able
532
00:33:58,379 --> 00:34:03,275
to deliver the architect's
vision safely and securely
533
00:34:15,965 --> 00:34:18,793
- At Notre Dame, the
engineers and builders
534
00:34:18,793 --> 00:34:21,620
toiled for decades
to realize the dreams
535
00:34:21,620 --> 00:34:23,068
of the Bishop of Paris.
536
00:34:26,137 --> 00:34:30,206
By the year 1260, Notre
Dame was largely complete.
537
00:34:30,206 --> 00:34:32,241
It had taken around a
century to create this
538
00:34:32,241 --> 00:34:33,620
remarkable structure.
539
00:34:37,379 --> 00:34:41,241
The rebuilt cathedral soon
became a symbol of Paris
540
00:34:41,241 --> 00:34:43,137
and even of France itself.
541
00:34:46,034 --> 00:34:48,586
[music]
542
00:34:48,586 --> 00:34:52,448
- Notre Dame is one of the first
supersize Gothic cathedrals
543
00:34:52,448 --> 00:34:55,241
that then came to
dominate Europe.
544
00:34:55,241 --> 00:34:58,310
It was proof that the idea
is explored in Saint-Denis
545
00:34:58,310 --> 00:35:01,137
actually worked and could
be applied across the board
546
00:35:03,758 --> 00:35:06,724
- That is where the
real engineering feat is
547
00:35:06,724 --> 00:35:08,206
in these Gothic cathedrals.
548
00:35:08,206 --> 00:35:12,103
It's just pushing the
style and the technology
549
00:35:12,103 --> 00:35:13,275
as far as it can go.
550
00:35:15,517 --> 00:35:20,206
It's pioneering rib vaults,
colorful and gigantic
551
00:35:20,206 --> 00:35:24,724
rose windows and
staggering height
552
00:35:24,724 --> 00:35:27,620
made this cathedral a
new wonder of the world.
553
00:35:29,551 --> 00:35:31,896
If I today, I'm in awe
of it goodness knows how
554
00:35:31,896 --> 00:35:33,413
people must've felt
all the way back
555
00:35:33,413 --> 00:35:35,655
in the 12th and 13th centuries.
556
00:35:35,655 --> 00:35:37,724
- I think that going into
Notre Dame would have been
557
00:35:37,724 --> 00:35:41,344
mind blowing for people in
the 13th or 14th centuries
558
00:35:41,344 --> 00:35:44,206
to see a building the likes of
which had never been achieved
559
00:35:44,206 --> 00:35:47,344
before you'd go in and the
walls were pierced with windows.
560
00:35:47,344 --> 00:35:49,551
The whole building was
flooded with light.
561
00:35:49,551 --> 00:35:52,793
The vaulting was
inconceivably high.
562
00:35:52,793 --> 00:35:57,793
It would have been a profound
memorable physical experience.
563
00:36:02,310 --> 00:36:05,413
- The outside of the cathedral
was equally impressive
564
00:36:06,793 --> 00:36:10,000
not least thanks to its
spectacular flying buttresses.
565
00:36:11,793 --> 00:36:15,068
These had never been attempted
on such a scale before
566
00:36:15,068 --> 00:36:17,620
and came to define
cathedrals from the peak
567
00:36:17,620 --> 00:36:18,862
of the Gothic era.
568
00:36:24,896 --> 00:36:28,551
Some modern architects still
incorporate flying buttresses
569
00:36:28,551 --> 00:36:29,620
into their buildings
570
00:36:32,517 --> 00:36:35,724
but this is often more
about style than necessity.
571
00:36:39,551 --> 00:36:42,137
- With the advent of steel
and reinforced concrete
572
00:36:42,137 --> 00:36:44,724
in the 19th century,
what we're able to do
573
00:36:44,724 --> 00:36:46,689
is resist tension forces.
574
00:36:48,103 --> 00:36:50,517
They didn't have that option
in the Gothic cathedrals.
575
00:36:52,793 --> 00:36:55,413
- Today's engineers
have access to materials
576
00:36:55,413 --> 00:36:57,689
that can stretch
or resist tension
577
00:36:57,689 --> 00:37:00,827
in ways their medieval
ancestors could only dream of.
578
00:37:03,310 --> 00:37:06,068
Thanks to the strength and
malleability of concrete
579
00:37:06,068 --> 00:37:09,517
and steel, buildings can
now soar to the heavens
580
00:37:09,517 --> 00:37:11,793
without any extra
support structures.
581
00:37:13,206 --> 00:37:16,758
- Materials like steel which
can have high tensile strength
582
00:37:16,758 --> 00:37:19,000
means that we have
much more freedom
583
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:21,689
in terms of how we
design a building
584
00:37:21,689 --> 00:37:25,758
- And human nature means
striving to build ever higher.
585
00:37:33,344 --> 00:37:34,827
[music]
586
00:37:34,827 --> 00:37:37,586
In the middle ages, Notre Dame
launched a race for height
587
00:37:38,827 --> 00:37:43,793
At 226 feet tall, it was
undoubtedly impressive,
588
00:37:43,793 --> 00:37:47,482
but inspired by the
achievement across Europe,
589
00:37:47,482 --> 00:37:50,344
New cathedrals would go
on to smash the record
590
00:37:50,344 --> 00:37:52,448
time and time again.
591
00:37:52,448 --> 00:37:55,827
- They were building greater
higher, wider, taller
592
00:37:55,827 --> 00:37:59,482
buildings all trying to outdo
and get theirs finished first.
593
00:38:00,965 --> 00:38:04,931
- In 1311, Lincoln cathedral
became the tallest building
594
00:38:04,931 --> 00:38:07,724
in the world at 525 feet.
595
00:38:08,896 --> 00:38:10,862
It was the first to
surpass the height
596
00:38:10,862 --> 00:38:13,586
of the Great Pyramid of
Giza and held the record
597
00:38:13,586 --> 00:38:18,517
for 238 years until
its Spire collapsed.
598
00:38:23,310 --> 00:38:26,758
In the year 1225,
Beauvais Cathedral
599
00:38:26,758 --> 00:38:28,413
was sent to take up the mantle
600
00:38:32,793 --> 00:38:35,931
but something went terribly
wrong during construction.
601
00:38:37,310 --> 00:38:38,448
- It collapses.
602
00:38:38,448 --> 00:38:41,172
What happens at
Beauvais is a collapse.
603
00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:46,000
Engineering experts think
that cathedrals, columns
604
00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:50,137
or piers were simply too
slender for its great height.
605
00:38:52,620 --> 00:38:54,620
Over time, the
weight of a building
606
00:38:54,620 --> 00:38:57,034
can cause mortar
to shift and crack
607
00:38:59,689 --> 00:39:03,034
which can in turn,
move arches and columns
608
00:39:03,034 --> 00:39:05,931
and eventually bring the
whole thing crashing down
609
00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:14,000
In 1573, Beauvais
collapsed a second time.
610
00:39:15,172 --> 00:39:17,000
Stones began to fall
during a service.
611
00:39:17,000 --> 00:39:18,965
The congregation rushed out
612
00:39:21,413 --> 00:39:23,965
Miraculously, nobody was killed.
613
00:39:25,482 --> 00:39:28,310
Today, modern braces
may be the only thing
614
00:39:28,310 --> 00:39:31,068
keeping Beauvais cathedral
from falling down.
615
00:39:34,172 --> 00:39:36,137
- I think what happens
at Beauvais is an example
616
00:39:36,137 --> 00:39:41,034
of really just pushing
high Gothic to its limits.
617
00:39:41,034 --> 00:39:43,931
You can put your trust in God
and the skills of your masons
618
00:39:43,931 --> 00:39:46,275
but when you just
try to push too far
619
00:39:46,275 --> 00:39:49,000
and too hard things
start collapsing
620
00:39:50,724 --> 00:39:54,413
- The passion to build ever
bigger ever more beautiful
621
00:39:54,413 --> 00:39:57,862
had pushed Gothic engineers
to the limits and beyond
622
00:40:02,379 --> 00:40:05,689
Its estimated that almost
one in five of all cathedrals
623
00:40:05,689 --> 00:40:08,000
built in the middle
ages suffered
624
00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:10,655
catastrophic damage or collapse.
625
00:40:11,827 --> 00:40:13,551
- We live in a day
and age where we have
626
00:40:13,551 --> 00:40:15,551
the mathematical capabilities
627
00:40:15,551 --> 00:40:19,413
and the computational
capabilities to work out stress,
628
00:40:19,413 --> 00:40:22,517
how far we can push
materials structurally.
629
00:40:22,517 --> 00:40:25,068
They didn't have that
technology available to them.
630
00:40:27,379 --> 00:40:31,344
- Compression, the downward
force of a building's own weight
631
00:40:32,758 --> 00:40:35,413
was often the culprit in
the collapse of cathedrals.
632
00:40:36,896 --> 00:40:40,000
The stone structure too
heavy for slender columns.
633
00:40:41,758 --> 00:40:44,034
Modern demolition
experts have learned that
634
00:40:44,034 --> 00:40:46,103
when buildings
have to come down,
635
00:40:46,103 --> 00:40:48,551
they often simply need
to take out the pillars
636
00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:52,551
and compression
will do the rest.
637
00:40:56,931 --> 00:40:58,896
[music]
638
00:41:16,379 --> 00:41:20,137
Despite the many collapses,
dozens of Gothic cathedrals
639
00:41:20,137 --> 00:41:25,172
across Europe still stand
today, iconic buildings .
640
00:41:26,689 --> 00:41:29,620
And iconic buildings
often bear witness
641
00:41:29,620 --> 00:41:31,551
to the great moments of history.
642
00:41:32,931 --> 00:41:37,448
Notre Dame has seen
coronations, canonizations,
643
00:41:39,448 --> 00:41:44,241
funeral masses and
notable marriages.
644
00:41:47,448 --> 00:41:49,551
It's hosted important visitors.
645
00:41:50,827 --> 00:41:53,172
Some more welcome than others.
646
00:41:56,206 --> 00:42:00,068
Sometimes being an icon can
draw unwelcome attention.
647
00:42:01,517 --> 00:42:04,724
In the French revolution in
1789, Notre Dame was attacked
648
00:42:04,724 --> 00:42:06,655
as a symbol of the old regime.
649
00:42:07,551 --> 00:42:09,517
Statues were destroyed.
650
00:42:09,517 --> 00:42:14,103
Windows smashed and the
mighty bronze bells melted
651
00:42:14,103 --> 00:42:18,620
down to make canon but
the cathedral stood firm
652
00:42:18,620 --> 00:42:23,620
throughout the turbulence
centuries until 2019.
653
00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:31,310
Notre Dame was undergoing
major renovations when
654
00:42:31,310 --> 00:42:35,862
around 6:00 PM on April 15th,
it's fire alarm sounded.
655
00:42:39,068 --> 00:42:42,275
Guards investigated but
could find no flames.
656
00:42:44,517 --> 00:42:47,620
It turned out they'd
searched the wrong area.
657
00:42:47,620 --> 00:42:51,448
By the time they realized
their mistake, it was too late.
658
00:42:57,137 --> 00:42:59,724
The fire raged for 15 hours.
659
00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:02,862
Lead from the roof melted
660
00:43:02,862 --> 00:43:05,000
and ran down the
building like water.
661
00:43:06,482 --> 00:43:09,379
Flames soared hundreds
of feet into the sky.
662
00:43:12,137 --> 00:43:15,482
At around 8:00 PM,
the Spire collapsed.
663
00:43:19,655 --> 00:43:23,034
400 firefighters
tackled the blaze
664
00:43:23,034 --> 00:43:25,413
but structural engineering
experts advised
665
00:43:25,413 --> 00:43:28,379
against fighting the
flames from the air.
666
00:43:28,379 --> 00:43:31,482
The weight to falling
water would cause collapse.
667
00:43:33,586 --> 00:43:36,931
Instead they risked their
lives to tackle the fire from
668
00:43:36,931 --> 00:43:38,000
within the structure.
669
00:43:39,413 --> 00:43:41,448
Raving ferocious temperatures
670
00:43:41,448 --> 00:43:43,310
and the risk of falling masonry.
671
00:43:46,034 --> 00:43:48,413
The fire burned all night.
672
00:43:56,137 --> 00:43:59,000
By 7:00 AM, the danger was over.
673
00:44:00,448 --> 00:44:04,068
Firefighters put
out the last embers.
674
00:44:04,068 --> 00:44:06,758
The roof and vault were
gone and the interior
675
00:44:06,758 --> 00:44:08,448
left blackened and ruined.
676
00:44:09,862 --> 00:44:13,206
- The world really did
weep on April 15, 2019
677
00:44:13,206 --> 00:44:16,103
when Notre Dame
did go up in flames
678
00:44:16,103 --> 00:44:20,000
It had been such an icon
of Paris and France,
679
00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:21,758
but also of everything
680
00:44:21,758 --> 00:44:23,827
that had occurred
from the Gothic era.
681
00:44:26,172 --> 00:44:27,931
- But it's Testament
to Notre Dame's
682
00:44:27,931 --> 00:44:30,068
original brilliant engineers
683
00:44:30,068 --> 00:44:32,793
that the walls towers
largely survived.
684
00:44:35,137 --> 00:44:38,965
Even the 13th century
rose windows stood firm.
685
00:44:42,793 --> 00:44:45,275
Notre Dame will rise again
686
00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:52,793
And Gothic engineering
isn't over.
687
00:44:52,793 --> 00:44:56,793
There have been
revivals and in Spain
688
00:44:56,793 --> 00:44:59,103
one spectacular modern flourish.
689
00:45:04,517 --> 00:45:08,103
The Sagrada Familia in
Barcelona is taking Gothic
690
00:45:08,103 --> 00:45:09,793
in a totally new direction.
691
00:45:11,965 --> 00:45:16,965
It's architect Antoni Gaudi
took on the project in 1883
692
00:45:18,275 --> 00:45:19,931
and decided to attempt
something far more intriguing
693
00:45:19,931 --> 00:45:22,103
than just another
Gothic structure.
694
00:45:23,758 --> 00:45:26,517
Gaudi was already renowned
for stunning homes
695
00:45:26,517 --> 00:45:31,310
built in an Art Nouveau
style, Casa Calvet
696
00:45:32,793 --> 00:45:34,172
and the GuĆ¼ell Palace
697
00:45:36,172 --> 00:45:39,793
But his defining project
aimed to surpass even
698
00:45:39,793 --> 00:45:42,241
the greatest feats of
Gothic engineering.
699
00:45:44,862 --> 00:45:45,827
Could it be done?
700
00:45:47,620 --> 00:45:49,758
Just as eight centuries before,
701
00:45:49,758 --> 00:45:52,586
new engineering would
have to provide solutions.
702
00:45:54,689 --> 00:45:58,689
- The Sagrada Familia, it's
evolving as it's being built.
703
00:45:58,689 --> 00:46:03,000
And so it shows the ongoing
story of cathedral building
704
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:06,034
- To complicate things further,
705
00:46:06,034 --> 00:46:09,344
Gaudi wanted to build a
structure with no right angles
706
00:46:09,344 --> 00:46:11,103
or even any straight lines.
707
00:46:12,172 --> 00:46:14,620
This truly was
something totally new.
708
00:46:16,241 --> 00:46:20,965
- It is the vision of
a visionary architect
709
00:46:20,965 --> 00:46:25,965
who is seeking to express not
just architectural practices
710
00:46:25,965 --> 00:46:29,241
but also expressing his
own very personal devotion
711
00:46:29,241 --> 00:46:31,448
to particular theological ideas.
712
00:46:33,793 --> 00:46:36,862
- Gaudi liked to use
scale models in his work.
713
00:46:36,862 --> 00:46:39,344
And for the Sagrada
Familia built a series
714
00:46:39,344 --> 00:46:42,206
of upside down hanging models.
715
00:46:42,206 --> 00:46:44,517
- Gaudi was trying
to make a structure
716
00:46:44,517 --> 00:46:45,896
like Gothic Cathedral
717
00:46:45,896 --> 00:46:48,931
essentially a compression
only structure.
718
00:46:48,931 --> 00:46:52,034
- The models allowed him to
analyze how forces would move
719
00:46:52,034 --> 00:46:53,034
through his building
720
00:46:54,551 --> 00:46:57,896
enabling him to create a
compression only structure
721
00:46:57,896 --> 00:47:01,448
where the force has traveled
downwards not sideways.
722
00:47:01,448 --> 00:47:03,862
And so dispensing with
the need for buttressing.
723
00:47:05,172 --> 00:47:08,310
Unfortunately, many of
Gaudi's models were destroyed
724
00:47:08,310 --> 00:47:11,379
by anarchists in the
Spanish civil war.
725
00:47:11,379 --> 00:47:14,137
So engineers have had to
use modern computerized
726
00:47:14,137 --> 00:47:16,586
techniques to achieve
Gaudi's vision.
727
00:47:19,172 --> 00:47:22,103
The resulting engineering
solutions are inspired.
728
00:47:24,034 --> 00:47:26,448
The main piers of the
church lean outwards
729
00:47:26,448 --> 00:47:28,000
to help balance the structure.
730
00:47:30,206 --> 00:47:33,965
And thanks to the innovative
forms Gaudi developed,
731
00:47:33,965 --> 00:47:35,620
holes are punched in the volts
732
00:47:35,620 --> 00:47:37,931
allowing light into
the church from above
733
00:47:39,827 --> 00:47:41,793
something Gothic
cathedral builders
734
00:47:41,793 --> 00:47:44,344
of the past could
never have achieved.
735
00:47:47,034 --> 00:47:50,379
Ingenious double twist
columns enabled this structure
736
00:47:50,379 --> 00:47:53,137
to soar higher than any
other religious building
737
00:47:53,137 --> 00:47:58,137
in year-round. over 550 feet.
738
00:48:02,413 --> 00:48:06,931
Gaudi died in 1926 before
his cathedral was completed.
739
00:48:08,517 --> 00:48:10,931
Work continues to this day.
740
00:48:10,931 --> 00:48:13,034
The cathedral is
proof that engineers
741
00:48:13,034 --> 00:48:15,586
can take the Gothic
project further.
742
00:48:17,482 --> 00:48:20,172
- It's perfectly possible
to build Gothic cathedrals
743
00:48:20,172 --> 00:48:22,517
that are bigger than the ones
that were done at the time.
744
00:48:22,517 --> 00:48:24,344
Be very expensive
but yeah we know
745
00:48:24,344 --> 00:48:25,827
we could certainly go bigger.
746
00:48:27,965 --> 00:48:30,793
So far it's taken over 130 years
747
00:48:30,793 --> 00:48:32,413
to build the Sagrada Familia
748
00:48:34,275 --> 00:48:36,931
and nobody knows exactly
when the final stone
749
00:48:36,931 --> 00:48:38,931
will be set in place.
750
00:48:38,931 --> 00:48:41,862
Perhaps further Gothic
cathedrals will one day
751
00:48:41,862 --> 00:48:42,758
follow this one
752
00:48:44,827 --> 00:48:49,137
potentially reaching even
higher than Gaudi's masterpiece.
753
00:48:53,620 --> 00:48:56,241
The human race has
created sacred spaces
754
00:48:56,241 --> 00:48:58,000
since the dawn of history,
755
00:48:59,620 --> 00:49:03,172
constructing devotional
buildings of beauty and serenity
756
00:49:04,448 --> 00:49:06,379
to honor the gods.
757
00:49:09,793 --> 00:49:14,620
And the great Gothic
cathedrals are houses of light
758
00:49:14,620 --> 00:49:18,620
soaring heavenward,
pinnacles of achievement,
759
00:49:20,034 --> 00:49:24,000
still awe inspiring today,
monuments to the skills
760
00:49:24,000 --> 00:49:26,862
and imagination of
ancient engineers.
761
00:49:30,517 --> 00:49:33,275
[exciting music]
63205
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.