The Shanghai Tower wins latest Emporis Skyscraper Award

The 632-meter Shanghai Tower made it to the top once again, this time for the coveted Emporis Skyscraper Award. Since 2000, the Emporis Skyscraper Award recognizes outstanding skyscraper design worldwide. As always, the competition attracts hoards of top-notch submissions by many talented firms around the globe. In recent years, the top prize went to Zaha Hadid's Wangjing SOHO, Renzo Piano's The Shard in London (2013), the Absolute World Towers in Mississauga (2012), and Frank Gehry's 8 Spruce Street in New York City (2011). 

This year's competition reeled in more than 300 skyscrapers — all of which are over 100 meters tall and had to be completed in 2015. Among the Top 10 projects, second place went to the Evolution Tower in Moscow and the Milan-based Il Dritto won third.

Have a look at this year's top 10 skyscrapers below (click each project's name for further details).

1. Shanghai Tower | Shanghai, China
Height: 632 m
Stories: 128
Architect: Gensler Architects, 2Define Architecture

Facts: “The Shanghai Tower is currently the second tallest building in the world and the tallest building in China. To save energy the tower is built like a thermos bottle with an outer skin consisting of double-layer glass facades. The spiraling cylindrical shape makes the structure stable in strong winds, and the tower also has the world´s fastest elevator (20.5 meters per second).

2. Evolution Tower | Moscow, Russia
Height: 246 m
Stories: 55
Architect: Kettle Collective, RMJM Edinburgh

Facts: “Also known as the City Place Tower, the Evolution Tower's design was inspired by the images of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Tatlin’s tower. The building has a clockwise rotation from the base to the top by more than 150 degrees.”

3. Il Dritto | Milan, Italy
Height: 210 m
Stories: 50
Architect: Arata Isozaki & Andrea Maffei Associati

Facts: “As part of the City Life project, Il Dritto involves three skyscrapers with different usages including offices, stores or restaurants. The facade is composed by a triple glass unit, which is slightly curved to outside.”

4. Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza | Nanchang, China
Height: 303 m
Stories: 59
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Facts: “It is currently the tallest building in Nanchang. The design of the two identical towers refers to an unfurling rose.”

5. Abode318 | Melbourne, Australia
Height: 187 m
Stories: 57
Architect: Elenberg Fraser, Disegno Australia

Facts: “The building is next door to a mix of heritage listed buildings, green spaces and several major educational institutions including Melbourne University. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the city.”

6. Icon Bay | Miami, USA
Height: 139 m
Stories: 42
Architect: Arquitectonica

Facts: “The tower's undulating facade is inspired by the rippling waves of the bay. The landscape design of the bay-front park was by GEO Arquitectonica, the same landscape designers of the Museum of Modern Art in Miami.”

7. D1 Tower | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Height: 284 m
Stories: 80
Architect: Holfords & Associates

Facts: “It is located next to the Palazzo Versace Dubai luxury hotel and resort. The D1 Tower has a sister tower in Australia called Q1.”

8. 432 Park Avenue | New York City, USA
Height: 426 m
Stories: 96
Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects, Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron

Facts: “It is the tallest residential tower in the western hemisphere and has windows that all measure 10 feet by 10 feet. Interestingly enough, the tower's design was inspired by a Joseph Hoffmann-designed trash can.”

9. Citygate Tower | Vienna, Austria
Height: 110 m
Stories: 35
Architect: Querkraft Architekten

Fact: “With a design scheme based on Eva Heller's color psychology concepts, the tower's facade is characterized by perimetrical balconies. The 27th floor has a terrace that all inhabitants can use.”

10. ÏCE II | Toronto, Canada
Height: 234 m
Stories: 67
Architect: architectsAlliance

Facts: “Inspired by modern Scandinavian design, the sleek building is part of a three-tower complex. The tower offers an extensive green roof. Shaped openings in the podium provide room for young trees. ”

All photos and project facts courtesy of Emporis Skyscraper Award.