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Architecture

Big, bold and beautiful: The world's best new tall buildings

By Adam Williams
June 29, 2016
Big, bold and beautiful: The world's best new tall buildings
The Tall Building Awards is split into four categories: the Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
The Tall Building Awards is split into four categories: the Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
View 37 Images
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
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VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
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The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
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VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
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VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
The Tall Building Awards is split into four categories: the Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
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The Tall Building Awards is split into four categories: the Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
8/37
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)v
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)v
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
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The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
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The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
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The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
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The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
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The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
20/37
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
22/37
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
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Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
The 432 Park, New York, by Rafael Viñoly, was a runner-up in the Americas category
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The 432 Park, New York, by Rafael Viñoly, was a runner-up in the Americas category 
The Tower at PNC Plaza, Pittsburgh, by Gensler, was a runner-up in the Americas category
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The Tower at PNC Plaza, Pittsburgh, by Gensler, was a runner-up in the Americas category
TorreReforma, MexicoCity, BY LBR and Architects, was a runner-up in the Americas category
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TorreReforma, MexicoCity, BY LBR and Architects, was a runner-up in the Americas category
Beach Road, Singapore, by Foster + Partners was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
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Beach Road, Singapore, by Foster + Partners was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
Beijing Greenland Tower, Beijing, by SOM, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
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Beijing Greenland  Tower, Beijing, by SOM, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
Nanchang Greenland, Nanchang, by SOM, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
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Nanchang Greenland, Nanchang, by SOM, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
Shinsegae International, Seoul, by Olson Kundig Architects, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
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Shinsegae International, Seoul, by Olson Kundig Architects, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
The Singapore Sky Habitat, by Moshe Safdie, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
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The Singapore Sky Habitat, by Moshe Safdie, was a runner-up in the Asia & Australasia category
Allianz Tower, Istanbul, by Arata Isozaki and Andrea Maffei, was a runner-up in the Europe category
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Allianz Tower, Istanbul, by Arata Isozaki and Andrea Maffei, was a runner-up in the Europe category 
Another Allianz Tower, this time in Milan, by Andrea Maffei, was a runner-up in the Europe category
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Another Allianz Tower, this time in Milan, by Andrea Maffei, was a runner-up in the Europe category
ECB, Frankfurt, by Coop Himmelb(l)au, was a runner-up in the Europe category
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ECB, Frankfurt, by Coop Himmelb(l)au, was a runner-up in the Europe category
Grattacielo Intesa Sanpaolo, Turin, by Renzo Piano, was a runner-up in the Europe category
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Grattacielo Intesa Sanpaolo, Turin, by Renzo Piano, was a runner-up in the Europe category
Iris Bay, Dubai, by Atkins, was the sole runner-up in the MiddleEast & Africa category
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Iris Bay, Dubai, by Atkins, was the sole runner-up in the MiddleEast & Africa category
View gallery - 37 images

The influential Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has announced the winners of its 15th annual CTBUH Tall Building Awards. Highlighting the best new skyscrapers around the globe, this year's recipients include the world's second-tallest skyscraper and a remarkable pyramid-like tower in NYC.

The CTBUH Tall Building Awards is split into four categories: the Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.

Shanghai Tower – Gensler

Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads
Gensler won the nod for Asia & Australasia with the Shanghai Tower. The world's second-tallest building, it rises to a height of 632 m (2,073 ft) and twists dramatically to reduce wind loads

Gensler got the nod for Asia & Australasia with its Shanghai Tower, which is currently the world's second-tallest building. Rising to 632 m (2,073 ft) over the bustling Chinese city, the US$2.4 billion mixed-use skyscraper twists 120 degrees from bottom to top, to reduce wind loads.

Shanghai Tower features 128 floors and comprises 420,000 sq m (4,520,842 sq ft) of floorspace. Rated LEED Gold (a green building standard), it also boasts some sustainable design, including a greywater system, rainwater collection, and 270 electricity-producing wind turbines.

The Cube – Orange Architects

The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments
The Cube won the Middle East & Africa category. It comprises a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments

CTBUH awarded the Middle East & Africa category to Dutch firm Orange Architects' project The Cube. Located in Beirut, Lebanon, the tower rises to a height of 50 m (164 ft), and comprises a total of 14 stacked volumes that rotate 90 degrees per level, providing spacious and sheltered balcony spaces for its residents.

The Cube consists of a total floorspace of 5,600 sq m (60,277 sq ft), which is split between 19 luxury apartments. Parking is located in an underground garage and a large section of the building hangs impressively over the main entrance.

Via 57 West – BIG

VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements
VIA 57 West by BIG won the Americas category. Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), the pyramid-like building features some sustainable design elements

Prolific Danish firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has won the Americas category for its Via 57 West project, one of the most interesting builds to come from this most interesting of firms in recent months. Rising to a height of 142.3 m (467 ft), the pyramid-like tower is a real landmark for NYC.

Measuring 80,000 sq m (861,000 sq ft), Via 57 West boasts some sustainable design elements. Water use is kept to a minimum with low-flow taps and energy-efficient washing machines, while rainwater is collected for reuse.

The White Walls – Ateliers Jean Nouvel

The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)
The White Walls, by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and won the Europe category. The mixed-use tower rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft)

French studio Ateliers Jean Nouvel was picked for the Europe category with The White Walls, also known as Cyprus Tower, and Tower 25. Located in Nicosia, Cyprus, the mixed-use building rises to a height of 69.6 m (228 ft) and is the tallest building in the country.

The tower features a "vertical garden" on the south facade which features lots of greenery and its facade is dotted with openings to promote ventilation.

CTBUH will choose an overall winner from the four category winners later this year. Head to the gallery to see each building in full, in addition to 20 worthy runners-up.

Source: CTBUH

View gallery - 37 images

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ArchitectureSkyscrapersCompetitionCTBUH
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Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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