Fazlur Khan facts for kids

Fazlur Rahman Khan (born April 3, 1929 – died March 27, 1982) was a brilliant structural engineer and architect from Bangladesh and the United States. He is famous for designing some of the world's tallest and most amazing buildings. With his business partner Bruce Graham, he helped create iconic skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and the 875 North Michigan Avenue. Both of these super-tall buildings are in Chicago, Illinois. Khan was one of the most important architects of the 20th century.

Who Was Fazlur Rahman Khan?

Fazlur Rahman Khan was a visionary engineer who changed how we build tall buildings. He invented new ways to make skyscrapers stronger and more efficient. His ideas allowed buildings to reach incredible heights safely and affordably. Many of the super-tall buildings we see today use his clever designs.

Early Life and Education

Fazlur Khan was born on April 3, 1929, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He grew up in Dhaka and later lived in Chicago, Illinois. He loved learning and studied at several universities. These included the Bengal Engineering and Science University and the Shibpur, Bangladesh University of Engineering in Bangladesh. He also studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States. His education helped him become a world-renowned expert in building structures.

His Amazing Buildings

Fazlur Khan is best known for his work on two famous Chicago skyscrapers. These are the Willis Tower and the 875 North Michigan Avenue.

The Willis Tower

The Willis Tower (once called the Sears Tower) was the tallest building in the world for 25 years! Khan designed its special "bundled tube" system. Imagine a bunch of strong tubes tied together. This design made the building incredibly stable and strong against winds. It was a huge step forward in skyscraper construction.

The John Hancock Center

The 875 North Michigan Avenue is another one of Khan's masterpieces. It was one of the first "mixed-use" towers. This means it has both offices and apartments in the same building. You can see its unique X-shaped braces on the outside. These braces are not just for looks; they are a key part of its strong structure. This building showed how tall buildings could be built efficiently.

A Lasting Legacy

Fazlur Khan was married to Liselotte Khan. They had a daughter named Yasmin. Khan passed away on March 27, 1982, at the age of 52. He died during a trip in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His body is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. His ideas continue to influence engineers and architects around the world. He truly helped shape the skylines of modern cities.

Images for kids

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  A sculpture honoring Fazlur Khan at the Willis Tower

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  John Hancock Center is the world's first mixed use tower. When built, it was the second tallest building in the world. It demonstrated how much more efficient and feasible building very tall skyscrapers could be, in comparison to the older design and technology used by the tallest buildings up to that time.

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  In 1960, buildings over 20 stories were still newsworthy. Apartments in the John Hancock Center in Chicago – shown here with its distinctive exterior X-bracing – are located as high as the 90th floor.

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  Willis Tower, engineered by Khan and designed by Bruce Graham, was the tallest building in the world for 25 years. The design introduced the bundled tube structural system.

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  Hajj Terminal at Jeddah airport

See also

In Spanish: Fazlur Rahman Khan para niños