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If We Built It Today

If We Built It Today

Discussion with architects, historians, engineers, and builders to find out if we could use modern day innovations to recreate these iconic masterpieces, or if fundamental techniques have been lost to time. Experts re-imagine the world's most impressive building projects to reveal how much time, labor, and investment would be necessary to build the most astounding structures in today's world. With the help of architectural experts and urban planners and developers, experts use modern engineering and the latest technology to create a 21st century blueprint for reimagined historical structures.
3 seasonsDocumentary, ScienceTV-PG
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Season 35 of 13 Episodes

  • The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for 40 years and constructed faster than any skyscraper in history; now, experts use cutting-edge engineering to discover if a new mega-tall tower could be built today at record speed.

  • The Hoover Dam was an epic engineering experiment that created an oasis of American opportunity during the darkest decade of the 20th century; modern engineers believe reconstructing it may hold the secret solution to renewable energy innovation.

  • The Statue of Liberty is an artistic wonder of construction and the most famous symbol of freedom in the world; now, experts use cutting-edge engineering to reimagine what the statue would look like if rebuilt to record-breaking new heights.

  • For centuries, concert halls have been precisely designed and engineered to shape the best possible sound for acoustic performance; now, experts use state-of-the-art science to discover how the next generation of concert halls could be constructed.

  • Stonehenge is an astonishing achievement of ancient construction that continues to baffle engineers thousands of years later; now, experts use the latest science to discover the logistics behind erecting another legendary monument today.

Record to Watch Later

7 episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks

    Fortress of Sound
    Legend of Machu Picchu
    Code of the Parthenon
    Secrets of Stonehenge
    Statue of Liberty Secrets
    Engineering the Home
    Secrets of the Transcontinental
  • Fortress of Sound

    For centuries, concert halls have been precisely designed and engineered to shape the best possible sound for acoustic performance; now, experts use state-of-the-art science to discover how the next generation of concert halls could be constructed.
    Upcoming
  • Legend of Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu is one of the greatest landmarks of world architecture, yet the purpose of its construction and how it was built still remains a mystery; experts use cutting-edge engineering to reveal what it would take to rebuild this legendary city.
    Upcoming
  • Code of the Parthenon

    The Parthenon is the crowning jewel of ancient Greek architecture, and it was engineered according to a mysterious mathematical formula; expert builders examine the secrets of its design and investigate if modern-day methods could rebuild it.
    Upcoming
  • Secrets of Stonehenge

    Stonehenge is an astonishing achievement of ancient construction that continues to baffle engineers thousands of years later; now, experts use the latest science to discover the logistics behind erecting another legendary monument today.
    Upcoming
  • Statue of Liberty Secrets

    The Statue of Liberty is an artistic wonder of construction and the most famous symbol of freedom in the world; now, experts use cutting-edge engineering to reimagine what the statue would look like if rebuilt to record-breaking new heights.
    Upcoming
  • Engineering the Home

    From ancient cave dwellings to massive multi-winged estates, the home has never stopped evolving; now, experts mix modern materials with state-of-the-art technology to reveal if a modern home can be constructed to truly stand the test of time.
    Upcoming
If We Built It Today

More about If We Built It Today

Discussion with architects, historians, engineers, and builders to find out if we could use modern day innovations to recreate these iconic masterpieces, or if fundamental techniques have been lost to time. Experts re-imagine the world's most impressive building projects to reveal how much time, labor, and investment would be necessary to build the most astounding structures in today's world. With the help of architectural experts and urban planners and developers, experts use modern engineering and the latest technology to create a 21st century blueprint for reimagined historical structures.

Starring

Bob Daly

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