Pagoda of Fogong Temple

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    'Timberscrapers' could soon dominate urban skylines

    by 
    Andrew Tarantola
    Andrew Tarantola
    09.28.2017

    They just don't make 'em like the Sakyamuni Pagoda anymore. Built from wood in 1056 in the Shanxi province of China, the building has remained standing to this day, despite seven earthquakes rattling the region within its first 50 years of existence. Since then, it's held up against a slew of seismic events, even when more-modern structures have failed. Now, thanks to recent advancements in timber technology, modern architects are rediscovering the benefits of working with wood.