KPF wins another Emporis Skyscraper Award with stacked mega-casino-hotel-resort in Macau

For the second year in a row, a Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed building managed to win the top spot in the annual Emporis Skyscraper Award program: MGM Cotai, the enormous $3.4 billion casino-hotel-resort in Macau, designed in collaboration with Wong Tung & Partners Limited, was selected by the jurors as the best new tall building. One year ago, KPF, in conjunction with Baum Architects, also won the title for the 1,819-foot-tall Lotte World Tower in Seoul.

KPF had a very strong overall showing this year, claiming also the third prize for 52 Lime Street in London as well as the recently opened China Zun/CITIC Tower in Beijing in 9th place, designed together with TFP Farrells Limited and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design.

Besides Lotte World Tower in 2018, the list of previous award winners includes BIG's VIA 57 West, Shanghai Tower by Gensler and 2Define Architecture, Zaha Hadid's Wangjing SOHO in Beijing, Renzo Piano's The Shard in London, and 8 Spruce Street in New York, Frank Gehry's first skyscraper.

Take a look at this year's top ten award winners below.

1. MGM Cotai
Height: 495 ft / 151 m
Floors: 35
Location: Macau, China
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Wong Tung & Partners Limited

"When selecting the MGM Cotai, the jury was especially fascinated by its innovative design," details the winners announcement. 

"The unique structure is based on the idea of nine Chinese jeweler's boxes stacked upon each other, forming two interconnected towers. The asymmetrical design and golden coloring create a dynamic and glamorous appearance, which fits the atmosphere of Macau. [...] The MGM Cotai also offers a 200,000 square-foot casino as well as the 'Spectacle,' a multi-functional area with the world's largest free-span, grid-shaped glass roof."

2. La Marseillaise
Height: 443 ft / 135
Floors: 31
Location: Marseille, France
Architects: Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Tangram Architects

"The second place goes to La Marseillaise in Marseille, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. It impressed the jury with its ecological construction features and its extraordinary facade which is painted in 30 different colors reflecting the diversity of the city. Moreover, it is fitted with awnings for sun protection, giving the tower a unique appearance that sets it apart from the usual smooth facades that often dominate modern skyscraper architecture. An exceptional component of the building from an ecological point of view is the unconventional air conditioning system. It is connected to a seawater cycle, making it possible to cool the tower almost without additional electricity consumption by using cold water from the sea."

3. 52 Lime Street
Height: 624 ft / 190 m
Floors: 39
Location: London, UK
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

"The third place goes to 52 Lime Street, located in the heart of London. What makes the skyscraper special is its clear and narrow geometric shape and the reflective facade, that give the building the look of a sharp knife and earned it the nickname 'The Scalpel.' In addition to its shape, the skyscraper also impresses with its sustainability. For example, water consumption is 45% lower than in comparable buildings and energy consumption has also been significantly reduced, earning 52 Lime Street an 'excellent' rating under the BREEAM sustainability standard."

4. Nan Shan Plaza
Height: 892 ft / 272 m
Floors: 48
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Architects: Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc., Archasia Design Group

"Photovoltaic power generation, rooftop/ground level greening, biotope and water retention equipment contribute to the sustainability of the tower."

5. 1144 Fifteenth
Height: 603 ft / 184 m
Floors: 40
Location: Denver, USA
Architects: Pickard Chilton Architects, Inc., Kendall/Heaton Associates Inc.

"New technologies for combining steel with bedrock, stone and glass were applied during the construction phase to achieve maximum natural brightness inside the building. The building is 10% more energy efficient than comparable buildings."

6. Monde
Height: 492 ft / 150 m
Floors: 44
Location: Toronto, Canada
Architects: Moshe Safdie & Associates, Quadrangle Architects Ltd.

"Due to the terraces, planting is possible on every level of the building. The unusual facade consists of alternating layers of glazing and limestone colored precast concrete elements."

7. Vincom Landmark 81
Height: 1,513 ft / 461 m
Floors: 81
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Architects: Atkins China Limited

"Vincom Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam and the tallest in Southeast Asia. The design of the tower is inspired by a traditional bamboo bundle symbolizing strength and unity in Vietnamese culture."

8. ARO
Height: 738 ft / 225 m
Floors: 62
Location:  New York, USA
Architects: CetraRuddy, Inc.

"The curved glass tower harmonizes with its surroundings due to its distinctive white metal grid. The tower has several amenities, including a golf simulator, modern fitness equipment, and an indoor basketball court."

9. China Zun/CITIC Tower
Height: 1,732 ft / 528 m
Floors: 108
Location: Beijing, China
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, TFP Farrells Limited, Beijing Institute of Architectural Design

"CITIC Tower is the tallest building in Beijing and the 4th tallest in China. The design of the skyscraper was inspired by an ancient Chinese wine vessel called the 'zun.' At the top, the outer shell becomes more transparent and offers a better view of the inner core, which lights up at night and is visible throughout the city."

10. 414 Light Street
Height: 500 ft / 152 m
Floors: 44
Location: Baltimore, USA
Architects: Solomon Cordwell Buenz

"The tower has the shape of a ship's sail to pay tribute to Baltimore's history and nautical heritage. The seventh-floor features 3,700 m2 /40,000 sq ft of amenities including an outdoor skyline park with a with a panoramic view of the city."