Impossible Builds

Impossible Builds is an engaging and inspiring documentary series by PBS that first aired in 2018. This fascinating program takes viewers on an adventurous journey around the world to experience some of the most ambitious and innovative construction projects that have ever been attempted. It explores the frontiers of architecture, construction, and engineering, revealing how pioneers in these fields are pushing the boundaries of science, technology, and design.

Each episode of Impossible Builds highlights a particular "impossible" construction project, providing an original and intimate look into the challenges and solutions encountered during the design and construction process. It's like viewing the future through the world's newest and most remarkable architecture. The creators' clever use of time-lapse footage and 3D animations, combined with expert commentary and interviews, gives life to these projects allowing the most complex ideas and structures to be easily understandable and awe-inspiring to the viewers.

Inventive, ambitious, and aesthetically daring, these are not typical construction projects. They've been picked for the series because of their aspiring scale, innovative techniques, and the way they push the envelope of what's technically possible. These are structures designed to withstand earthquakes, to be resilient to time, to boast low emissions or even to be in balance with nature. From skyscrapers to private homes, each build is a standalone spectacle of modern architecture and engineering.

Throughout the series, Impossible Builds focuses on a diverse range of construction projects, from enormous bridges spanning vast bodies of the water to highly original, imaginative private homes perched on cliffsides to gargantuan skyscrapers reaching dizzying heights. The show emphasizes uniquely grand projects, examining the myriad challenges inherent in contriving and erecting structures intended to withstand the test of time, the elements, and the changing demands of society.

One of the show's key strengths is how it demystifies the world of architecture and construction. Through engaging dialogue and highly visual presentation style laden with technical details, the show allows viewers to appreciate the delicate balance between form and function - between the aesthetic quality of buildings and the practical considerations that must be considered in their design and construction. It’s a journey that brings viewers face-to-face with the forward-thinking processes that enable these mega structures to bring forth solutions to some of the greatest global challenges we face today.

A crucial part of the show is the focus on the "human factor". It offers an intimate and behind-the-scenes look at the people behind these impressive feats - the visionary architects, the persistent engineers, the dynamic construction crews, who all relentlessly push the envelope, overcoming various challenges to complete these "impossible" builds. These people and their inspirational stories of innovation, courage, determination, and persistence are at the heart of the Impossible Builds series.

Whether you are an architecture or construction enthusiast, an engineering student or a professional, or simply someone with a fascination for how and why things work, Impossible Builds will open your eyes to the possibilities of what can be achieved when human ingenuity, vision, and tenacity come together. This compelling and insightful documentary series from PBS, rather than just providing answers, sparks curiosity and instills a sense of wonder and appreciation for the architectural marvels we often take for granted.

In essence, Impossible Builds is not just a show about grand buildings and structures. It's about the blend of art and engineering, of imagination and perseverance, and the sheer audacity and resourcefulness of the human spirit to dream big and push boundaries. It’s about impossible becoming possible; a testament to human ingenuity in designing and constructing breathtaking structures that not only redefine city skylines but also change how we perceive and interact with the world around us.

In its journey through the realms of extraordinary human endeavors across the globe, Impossible Builds does not merely capture the construction of the physical structures we inhabit; it illuminates our aspirations and our visions for a future built with the fabric of innovation, resilience, and boldness. Truly, it's a testament to the concept that with the right mindset and tools, nothing is impossible.