Architecture

Pyramid-shaped NYC building named world's best new skyscraper

Pyramid-shaped NYC building named world's best new skyscraper
The 32-story Via 57 West rises to a total height of 450 ft (137 m)-tall
The 32-story Via 57 West rises to a total height of 450 ft (137 m)-tall
View 19 Images
The 32-story Via 57 West rises to a total height of 450 ft (137 m)-tall
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The 32-story Via 57 West rises to a total height of 450 ft (137 m)-tall
Via 57 West is referred to as a "courtscraper," because designer Bjarke Ingels says that it's a blend of a skyscraper and a European housing block with central courtyard
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Via 57 West is referred to as a "courtscraper," because designer Bjarke Ingels says that it's a blend of a skyscraper and a European housing block with central courtyard
Via 57 West's courtyard features the exact same proportions as Central Park, except at 13,000th the size
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Via 57 West's courtyard features the exact same proportions as Central Park, except at 13,000th the size
Second place went to Torre Reforma, Mexico City's tallest skyscraper
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Second place went to Torre Reforma, Mexico City's tallest skyscraper
Torre Reforma reaches 804 ft (245 m) in height
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Torre Reforma reaches 804 ft (245 m) in height
Oasia Hotel Downtown, by WOHA Architects, features a facade covered in plants
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Oasia Hotel Downtown, by WOHA Architects, features a facade covered in plants 
Oasia Hotel Downtown, by WOHA Architects, features a facade covered in plants
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Oasia Hotel Downtown, by WOHA Architects, features a facade covered in plants 
MahaNakhon, by Buro Ole Scheeren Group, is the tallest tower in Thailand
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MahaNakhon, by Buro Ole Scheeren Group, is the tallest tower in Thailand
The Elbphilharmonie, by Herzog & de Meuron, is an amazing music venue
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The Elbphilharmonie, by Herzog & de Meuron, is an amazing music venue 
The Elbphilharmonie, by Herzog & de Meuron, is an amazing music venue
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The Elbphilharmonie, by Herzog & de Meuron, is an amazing music venue 
56 Leonard Street, also by Herzog & de Meuron, has been nicknamed Jenga Tower due to its cantilevered balconies
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56 Leonard Street, also by Herzog & de Meuron, has been nicknamed Jenga Tower due to its cantilevered balconies
Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, by KPF, features a terracotta facade
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Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, by KPF, features a terracotta facade
The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
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The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
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The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
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The L Tower, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, has a shape that ensures it doesn't cast shadows on a nearby park
The Beijing Greenland Dawangjing Tower, by SOM, features a trapezoid-clad exterior with glass panels
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The Beijing Greenland Dawangjing Tower, by SOM, features a trapezoid-clad exterior with glass panels
The Beijing Greenland Dawangjing Tower, by SOM, features a trapezoid-clad exterior with glass panels
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The Beijing Greenland Dawangjing Tower, by SOM, features a trapezoid-clad exterior with glass panels
The Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, by Nikken Sekkei Ltd, has the largest passenger elevators in Japan
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The Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, by Nikken Sekkei Ltd, has the largest passenger elevators in Japan
The Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, by Nikken Sekkei Ltd, has the largest passenger elevators in Japan
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The Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, by Nikken Sekkei Ltd, has the largest passenger elevators in Japan
View gallery - 19 images

The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed Via 57 West has been declared the world's best new skyscraper by information specialist Emporis during its annual Skyscraper Awards. The impressive building looks like a strange futuristic pyramid and takes up almost an entire city block in Manhattan, New York City.

The Emporis Skyscraper Awards has been running for 17 years now and highlights buildings that are over 100 m (328 ft)-tall, even if they really don't look much like typical skyscrapers. Indeed, this 32-story residential building is anything but typical.

Architect Bjarke Ingels says that the tetrahedral design of Via 57 West is a blend of skyscraper and European housing block with central courtyard, which he dubs "courtscraper." The actual courtyard itself features the same proportions as Central Park, but at 13,000th the size, and its shape ensures there'll be plenty of sunlight inside, as well as great views.

"It's impressive how the architect rethinks the whole idea of a skyscraper. The building is a fantastic addition to the New York skyline," said an unnamed Emporis jury member.

Second place went to Torre Reforma, Mexico City's tallest skyscraper
Second place went to Torre Reforma, Mexico City's tallest skyscraper

Second place was awarded to Torre Reforma, Mexico City's tallest skyscraper (seen above). Rising to a height of 804 ft (245 m), it's the world's tallest exposed concrete structure and its triangular form comprises two concrete walls and one glazed section. As well as giving it a unique look, the concrete walls serve to prevent the interior from being unduly warmed by the sun.

Due to the area's high seismic activity, Torre Reforma has been specifically designed to withstand earthquakes and heavy winds. The inside of the building is organized into 14 sections, each one with its own private interior garden. In a nice touch, an existing house on the site was retained and integrated into the main lobby instead of being demolished.

Head to the gallery to check out the remaining eight runners-up for the Emporis Skyscraper Award, including a couple of familiar buildings, the terracotta-clad Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre and Elbphilharmonie music hall.

Source: Emporis

View gallery - 19 images
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