Skyscrapers

The COVID-19 pandemic is largely to blame for a second consecutive year of decline in the number of new tall buildings built worldwide, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's annual Year in Review.

Zaha Hadid Architects has never been content to put out safe, boring designs, and its latest project is no exception. Tower C is conceived as two eye-catching connected towers incorporating lots of greenery and sustainable design elements.

Snøhetta's Airside skyscraper will mitigate its huge glass and steel presence with a series of greenery covered terraces and plazas. Additionally, the tower will boast energy efficient design, including a focus on natural light and ventilation.

2020 has produced more than its fair share of superb architecture. From a hotel with a hole in the middle, to a village community building made from mud, take a look at the fantastic projects that make up our top 10 buildings of 2020.

With a name like Unique, you'd hope that this recently completed tower would offer something a little different. Thankfully it delivers with a curving facade planted with trees and an open air communal area at roughly its center.

Carlo Ratti Associati serves a slice of bonkers blue sky architecture with its "Playscraper." Also referred to as the Tennis Tower, the sporty skyscraper would stack eight tennis courts on top of each other to reach a height of 90 m.

Foster + Partners has designed a new development for Shenzhen, China. Guangming Hub will include a series of greenery filled towers inspired by traditional Chinese gateways and incorporate virtual reality and autonomous vehicle technologies.

Following the popularity of Stefano Boeri Architetti's greenery-covered Bosco Verticale, similar "Vertical Forest" buildings are now taking root around the world. Two of these are now rising in China and are slated for completion early next year.

Emporis has revealed the winner of its annual Skyscraper Award. From over 700 skyscrapers, the number one spot has gone to Russia's massive Lakhta Center, which rises to a maximum height of 462 m (1,516 ft) in St. Petersburg.

The rise of tall timber towers worldwide continues with Urban Agency's Dock Mill proposal for Dublin, Ireland. Assuming it goes ahead as planned, the building will be built on top of an existing mill on the city's waterfront.

Sir David Adjaye has joined forces with Aston Martin to design five luxury homes in Adjaye's upcoming New York City skyscraper. They offer plush interiors with a heavy automotive influence – plus a special edition Aston Martin DBX is included.

Construction recently began on a new tower by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. Named Una Residences, it will have an unusual nautical-inspired design and provide the well-heeled residents with luxurious apartments on Miami's waterfront.