Emporis announces the Top 10 Skyscrapers in the world
By Lucas on Oct 01, 2015
Emporis, the global authority on high-rise building data, has announced the winners of this year’s Emporis Skyscraper Award!
There were over 300 towers nominated, all of which were 100 meters or taller and were completed in the previous calendar year. The Emporis Skyscraper Award has been an annual honour since 2000, and the jury consists of architecture experts from around the world.
Though everyone is obsessed with being the tallest and being built the fastest, Emporis stressed that height didn’t really play as strong of a role this year (there are only three supertall 300+ meter skyscrapers in the Top 10). "The results of recent years clearly show that criteria such as sustainability, efficiency and a clever design play a much more important role than reaching new superlatives," says Daniel Schuldt, Emporis’ managing director.
Emporis’ Top 10 Skyscrapers
1) Wangjing SOHO
Wangjing SOHO in Beijing, China features three distinct towers, standing 118 meters, 127 meters, and 200 meters designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The shape of the towers is supposed to evoke an image of koi (Japanese carp). The underground parking levels offer 8,256 bicycle parking spots and showers for cyclists, encouraging alternative transportation.
Copyright: Jan Martin
2) Bosco Verticale
Located in Milan, Italy, Bosco Verticale is comprised of two towers, rising 78 meters and 105 meters. The design by Boeri Studio stands out due to the abundance of plant life, featuring more than 700 trees and 90 species of plants. The plants reduce smog and noise, and there are also Aeolian and photovoltaic systems for energy generation.
Copyright: B Plessi Flickr
3) Tour D2
This design by Agence d'Architecture Anthony Bechu and ATSP in Courbevoie, France stands 171 meters and is inspired by a fish trap. Thanks to the innovative design, the consumption of materials was reduced by 30% compared to buildings of similar size.
Copyright: Thomas Pichereau
4) One World Trade Center
The well known New York City tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It is a supertall tower standing 541 meters; it’s footprint takes up the same size footprint as the original Twin Towers combined.
Copyright: Royce Douglas
5) The Leadenhall Building
The Leadenhall Building is located in London, United Kingdom and stands 224 meters. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the tower has 29 elevators, 22 of which are on the exterior, encased in glass, providing scenic views.
Copyright: Michiel van Dijk
6) Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid
Located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, this tower is another one of the supertall designs, standing 382 meters, making it the tallest in Abu Dhabi. Designed by Foster + Partners, the Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid features a swimming pool on the 89th floor and a terraced garden and gym on the 90th. There are also solar collectors on top of the building.
Copyright: Ralf Roletschek CC BY 3.0
7) Soyak Kristal Kule
Located in Istanbul, Turkey, this tower stands 169 meters, boasting a design by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Has Mimarlik. The tower is shaped like a crystal and has high speed elevators that can travel up to 7 meters per second.
Copyright: Igor Butyrskii
8) One57
New York City has another tower in the Top 10. One57 is the third supertall skyscraper on this year’s list of winners, standing 306 meters. The design by Atelier Christian de Portzamparc and Frank Williams & Partners offers unobstructed views of Central Park and as of January 2015 the building is home to the most expensive unit ever sold in New York City.
Copyright: Royce Douglas
9) Infinity
Infinity in Brisbane, Australia was designed by DBI Design and rises 248 meters, making it the tallest in Brisbane. In addition to being the tallest, the contrasting vertical and horizontal stripes make it really stand out on the skyline.
Copyright: Tim Dickson
10) KKR tower
Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KKR Tower rises 175 meters. Designed by GDP Architects, the tower has a number of sustainability features like a rainwater harvesting system, and there is a green terrace on the roof that is covered by a louvered canopy.
Copyright: Mathias Beinling
Are there any towers in Toronto that you think should be on this list? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!
