High-rise

The Ascent, by Korb + Associates Architects, has officially been recognized as the new world's tallest timber tower. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the residential high-rise reaches an impressive maximum height of 86.6 meters.

MVRDV has revealed a patriotic project for Albania's capital city. Officially named Tirana's Rock, the tower will reach a maximum height of 85 meters and take the overall form of a bust of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg.

Influential Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's firm has revealed plans for its first residential tower in the US. Located on Miami Beach, the high-rise will bring together eastern and western design elements and feature an attractive timber exterior.

New York's ODA has a habit of coming up with unusual tower designs and its latest proposal is no exception. It consists of an eye-catching residential project slated for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that's made up of two connected towers.

MVRDV puts the O in home – literally – with this unusual residential project slated for Germany. One of four buildings that will eventually spell out HOME, the donut-shaped high-rise showcases the firm's flair for lighthearted, quirky architecture.

MAD Architects has unveiled plans for a new high-rise in Denver. One River North will be defined by its eye-catching facade, which looks like it has been torn open by an earthquake or some other cataclysmic event and has greenery growing through it.

Greenery covered buildings are all the rage lately, giving city folk a taste of nature. The Marina Tower from Foster + Partners will not only grow to be the "first green high-rise building in Greece" but also the country's tallest building.

Urban Agency's high-rise boasts an ambitious sustainable design, and is defined by a stepped form inspired by Canada's topography. The greenery covered building will be largely made from wood and is slated to meet the stringent Passivhaus standard.

Prefabricated buildings are designed to be put together very quickly, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a building that goes up as quickly as this recently completed 10-story high-rise by China's Broad Group, which was assembled in just over a day.

RMJM is creating a new headquarters for Turkish manufacturing firm Sanko. Inspired by the region's caves, it will feature solar power and rainwater collection, plus a focus on natural cooling to reduce air-conditioning needs.

Work has finally been completed on Studio Gang's One Hundred tower. The remarkable residential high-rise is defined by an angled exterior that juts outward, creating balcony spaces for some of the residents and maximizing daylight and views inside.

Despite the challenges and delays caused by COVID-19, 2021 looks set to be an outstanding year for architecture. With this in mind, we've chosen five exciting projects we're looking forward to this year.