Skinny Skyscraper
impossible builds

In Manhattan, architects and engineers are redefining just how much land it takes to support a skyscraper. In a city where the only direction to build is up, they've designed a needle-thin tower 82 stories high, built on the construction equivalent of a postage stamp.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 105

About Impossible Builds:

Learn about the creation of some of the world's most ambitious and technologically advanced buildings.

From subaquatic homes to futuristic towers and pencil thin skyscrapers, see how these previously impossible structures are taking shape.


Watch Impossible Builds - Clips, Episodes & Previews




NHPBS Over-the-Air Broadcast

WENH-TV Ch. 11 Durham

WLED-TV Ch. 48 Littleton

WEKW-TV Ch. 18 Keene

W50DP-D Ch. 50 Hanover

W34DQ-D Ch. 34 Pittsburg

Cable and Satellite Channels


NHPBS Five Channels

NHPBS - 11.1

Explore - 11.2

World - 11.3

Create - 11.4

Kids - 11.5

All of our channels and NHK World Japan are streaming LIVE ONLINE and on the PBS App, available on most devices.

Learn More


 

Community Impact

NHPBS NHPBS Passport Passport

The Making of The American Revolution | The Making of The American Revolution
History with David Rubenstein | Doris Goodwin
Finding Your Roots | Artistic Roots
Nature | Jungles | Parenthood
Antiques Roadshow | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 2
American Masters | Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [EAD]
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History |
NOVA | Mammal Origins
Austin City Limits | Leon Thomas
Secrets of the Dead | The Quest for Camelot
The Puzzle Lady | Episode 1
All Creatures Great and Small | Episode 1: Gathering the Flock
American Experience | Bombshell
From That Small Island: The Story of the Irish | New Worlds
London's New Year's Day Parade | The London Parade 2026
Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026 | Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026
Bookish | Slightly Foxed, Part 1
Happiness | Episode 1
Great Performances | Nutcracker from English National Ballet
Miss Scarlet | Episode 3: The Delivery
POV | Between Goodbyes
Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir | Hope of the Season: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
London Parade - A Tribute to 40 Years | London Parade - A Tribute to 40 Years
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come | The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come
Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen | Charlotte Church
The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music | The Nutcracker at the Jacobs School of Music
The Caverns Sessions | Flatland Cavalry
The Great Escaper | The Great Escaper
The American Revolution | In Order to Be Free (May 1754 - May 1775)