TV series
MegaStructures
MegaStructures is a documentary television series appearing on the National Geographic Channel in the United States and the United Kingdom, Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, France 5 in France, and 7mate in Australia. Each episode is an educational look of varying depth into the construction, operation, and staffing of various structures or construction projects, but not ordinary construction products. Generally containing interviews with designers and project managers, it presents the problems of construction and the methodology or techniques used to overcome obstacles. In some cases this involved the development of new materials or products that are now in general use within the construction industry. MegaStructures focuses on constructions that are extreme; in the sense that they are the biggest, tallest, longest, or deepest in the world. Alternatively, a project may appear if it had an element of novelty or are a world first. This type of project is known as a Megaproject.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
MegaStructures is available to stream on Hulu, Prime Video, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Synopsis
MegaStructures is a documentary television series appearing on the National Geographic Channel in the United States and the United Kingdom, Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, France 5 in France, and 7mate in Australia. Each episode is an educational look of varying depth into the construction, operation, and staffing of various structures or construction projects, but not ordinary construction products. Generally containing interviews with designers and project managers, it presents the problems of construction and the methodology or techniques used to overcome obstacles. In some cases this involved the development of new materials or products that are now in general use within the construction industry. MegaStructures focuses on constructions that are extreme; in the sense that they are the biggest, tallest, longest, or deepest in the world. Alternatively, a project may appear if it had an element of novelty or are a world first. This type of project is known as a Megaproject.
Season 4 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 2
Dubai's Dream Palace (Worlds Tallest Hotel)
Megastructures heads to the tiny desert kingdom of Dubai to explore the remarkable engineering behind the seven-star Burj Al-Arab Hotel. Five years in the making, this striking building stands like a gigantic white sail off the shore of Dubai. As this programme reveals, a refusal to compromise on the part of the hotel’s young designers ensured that the project pushed the boundaries of design. The Burj Al-Arab was envisaged by Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a means of diversifying the country’s economy away from oil into tourism. The Sheikh dreamt of a luxury hotel that would put Dubai on the world map, and surprised many by choosing a relatively inexperienced British firm to supply the design.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 4
Queen Mary 2
Megastructures will take you on a voyage through the largest ocean liner ever built, from the cutting of the first steel panel to the installation of the iconic red and black funnel of this 800 million dollar giant of the seas.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 6
South Pole Station
Welcome to the South Pole, one of the most isolated places on the planet. For decades, the South Pole has been a haven for astronomy, climatology, and other science fields. Now, nearly 50 years after the first research station was built, a team of mega-builders is daring to construct a 21st century science research facility: the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 9
Deep Ocean Port (China's Ultimate Port)
In 2002 Chinese engineers and workers tackled one of the biggest construction projects on earth. Thirty kilometers out to sea in the middle of the ocean is the location for Yangshan Deep Water Port. With twenty kilometers of quay and fifty berths Yangshan is destined to become the biggest deepwater port ever built. Linked to China by the worlds second-longest ocean bridge Yangshans deep water allows the worlds biggest container ships to come calling. Its massive cranes cutting-edge control system and focused personnel are already shattering records for loading and unloading gigantic container ships and its not even finished being built.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 11
The World's Biggest Cruiseliner
Looks at the technological designs and construction of the huge cruiseliner "Freedom of the Seas".
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 16
Building the World
The engineering, design and construction of a man-made archipelago, built in the shape of a world map, just off the coast off Dubai, the project of ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 18
Building Green Beijing
Embarking on a quest to design and build a meeting place for athletes and their families at the Games, the designers of the Olympic Rendezvous must come up with a design that genuinely reflects green ideas and complements the green themed games.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 20
Megabridges: China
Lupu Bridge in Shanghai, Runyang Bridge in Jiangsu Province, and Sutong Bridge near Suzhou.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 25
Extreme Alaska
Building Extreme Alaska is about how nature engineered and built America's most rugged state, rock by rock. The State of Alaska is a vast and powerful natural structure forged over millions of years and boasts some of the world's most extreme environments. Alaska is raw and radical - natural engineering - taken to its limit. The construction zone of mountains, volcanoes, glaciers and earthquakes still keep Alaska humming. Building Extreme Alaska leads you through the working parts of this natural mechanical engineering machine.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode 28
Impossible Hotels: Dubai
Looks at the design, engineering and construction of the luxury Burj Al-Arab Hotel, built of the coast of Dubai.
Where to watch MegaStructuresEpisode information updated Jul 24, 2026
More about MegaStructures
Credits
- Written by
- Mike Kelly
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Documentary
- Episodes
- 159
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
National GeographicUnited States
National GeographicUnited States
You may also like
More shows like MegaStructures.
Available nowMysteries at the Museum
Similar story and audience
Available nowParanormal Witness
Similar story and audience
Available nowThe Staircase
Similar genres and era
Available nowMythBusters
Similar genres and era
Available nowAuschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution
Similar genres and era
The Angry Video Game Nerd
Similar genres and era