Broad Group

Out of the many thousands of human languages, Chinese seems like one of the hardest to learn, write, or speak. But apparently, people who have successfully learned Chinese are now thinking, “Why be the hardest of thousands when you can be the hardest of TENS of thousands?” At least, that’s the only conclusion I can draw from the fact that China is planning to build the world’s tallest skyscraper in just three months. GUYS. LOOK HOW THAT WORKED OUT LAST TIME.

Reader support makes our work possible. Donate today to keep our site free. All donations DOUBLED!

The building, Sky City, is due to open next March, after only 90 days of construction. It will be 2,749 feet tall, which means it needs to be completed at a rate of five floors per day. And unlike that cheater, the Burj Khalifa, most of its height will be usable space, not showy spires.

How is this even possible? Well, it might not be. It wouldn’t be the first time people have talked a big game about building construction that doesn’t end up going as planned. But in theory, the secret is a modular construction technology, essentially snapping prefabricated walls and floors together like a cubicle farm. It might look a little like this:

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

That’s the same modular approach by the same company, being used to build a 30-story hotel in only 15 days. The main difference, of course, is that when the hotel was completed, it didn’t immediately get struck down by a vengeful deity.

UPDATE: They’re now saying it will take 210 days, so maybe we’ll escape divine retribution for the moment.