With the Push of a Button

New Zealand’s first-ever controlled building implosion executed in Christchurch brought down the earthquake damaged Radio Network House in seconds. American demolition experts detonated 130 pounds of explosives to blow up the 14-story building, which was once home to 400 office workers. “There have been good memories with that building. To see it like that it’s difficult,” Radio Network House owner Greg Hedges said. “I thought it was magnificent the way it went down.” The $1.2 million implosion was achieved by a series of small explosives that were placed in drilled holes in the support columns of the building.