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How to Build a Skyscraper by Ernie Miller Since 1884, humans have been building skyscrapers. This means that we had 6 decades of skyscraper-building experience before we started building software (depending on your definition of “software”). Maybe there are some lessons we can learn from past experience? This talk won’t make you an expert skyscraper-builder, but you might just come away with a different perspective on how you build software. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/IMZv/
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In the talk "How to Build a Skyscraper," Ernie Miller draws parallels between skyscraper construction and software architecture, exploring the lessons learned from historical skyscrapers to inform modern software development practices. That buildings have evolved significantly since the first skyscraper was constructed in 1884 provides rich insight into how the field of software can grow from understanding complex design challenges. Key points discussed during the presentation include: - **Complexity of Skyscraper Design**: The challenges involved in designing skyscrapers encompass economics, engineering, and construction management. These factors are comparable to modern software architecture concerns. - **Historical Skyscrapers**: Miller discusses various notable skyscrapers, such as the Equitable Life Building, the Home Insurance Building, and the Flatiron Building, highlighting their innovative design features and the lessons they impart. - The **Equitable Life Building** was marketed as fireproof but tragically suffered a catastrophic fire, illustrating the dangers of overconfidence in design claims. - The **Home Insurance Building** featured a groundbreaking steel frame, making it the first skyscraper, while the **Monadnock Building** highlighted architectural adaptability under financial constraints. - **The Role of Innovation**: Innovations, such as Elisha Otis's safety hoist with the elevator revolutionized accessibility in skyscrapers, fundamentally altering real estate economics. - **Collaboration and Conflict**: Miller touches on the importance of collaboration in architecture, contrasting the partnership and rivalry between architects during the design of 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building, reminding that personal conflicts can adversely affect professional relationships and project success. - **Modern Engineering Techniques**: The talk also covers contemporary engineering methods, such as the bundled tube structural system exemplified by the Willis Tower, designed to withstand severe wind conditions, and Taipei 101's earthquake-resistant features. - **Emergency Preparedness**: The Burj Khalifa incorporates advanced safety measures, including refuge areas for occupants during emergencies, underscoring the importance of user-centered design in both skyscrapers and software. Ernie concludes with an emphasis on the impact of constructions on human experience and the continuous evolution of architectural practices in response to environmental and societal needs. By taking these architectural insights to heart, software developers may find new ways to build better, more resilient systems that cater to users’ needs and expectations.
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