The winner of the world's most renowned architecture prize for skyscrapers, the Emporis Skyscraper Award, goes to the Shanghai Tower this year.
Currently the second tallest building in the world and the tallest skyscraper in Asia was chosen by an international panel of experts from over 300 skyscrapers of at least 100 meters height and which were completed in 2015. China managed to take the crown for the second time in a row since the Emporis Skyscraper Award was established in the year 2000.
The award, given by Emporis, the international provider of building data, is now into its 16th year.
The 632-meter tall Shanghai Tower was chosen as the winner for several reasons, including its elegant spiraling cylindrical shape which was designed by Gensler Architects. It also impressed the jury with its extraordinary energy efficiency. The double skin facade of the tower is reminiscent of a thermos bottle. The Shanghai Tower is also the home of the world's fastest elevator, which can transport people at a speed of 20 meters per second to the viewing platform of 561 meters height.
The ten top/best skyscrapers in the world are as follows:
1. Shanghai Tower Shanghai, China 632 m 128 Gensler Architects, 2Define Architecture
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2. Evolution Tower Moscow, Russia 246 m 55 Kettle Collective, RMJM Edinburgh
3. Il Dritto Milan, Italy 210 m 50 Arata Isozaki & Andrea Maffei Associati
4. Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza Nanchang, China 303 m 59 Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
5. Abode318 Melbourne, Australia 187 m 57 Elenberg Fraser, Disegno Australia
6. Icon Bay Miami, USA 139 m 42 Arquitectonica
7. D1 Tower Dubai, United Arab Emirates 284 m 80 Holfords & Associates
8. 432 Park Avenue New York City, USA 426 m 96 Rafael Viñoly Architects, Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron
9. Citygate Tower Vienna, Austria 110 m 35 Querkraft Architekten
10. ÏCE II Toronto, Canada 234 m 67 architectsAlliance
The USA, known as the cradle of high-rise architecture, does not feature in the Top 5 this year.
The Emporis Skyscraper Award has been given since 2000. The jury is formed of architecture experts from all over the world, who judge nominated buildings according to aesthetic and functional design criteria. Previous winners include Wangjing SOHO (2014) in Beijing, The Shard in London (2013) and Absolute World Towers in Mississauga (2012).