Continuing our review of 2022, we look at the 10 skyscrapers that had the greatest impact this year including the EU’s tallest building, world’s skinniest skyscraper and world’s tallest timber building.
This year saw the completion of numerous skyscrapers designed by some of the world’s most high-profile architecture studios including BIG, Foster + Partners, Álvaro Siza and Snøhetta.
Several record-breaking buildings, along with the renovation of a 20th-century icon, are included in this list of the top 10 skyscrapers of 2022:
111 West 57th Street, New York City, USA, by SHoP Architects
This year saw the completion of the world’s skinniest skyscraper in New York. Named 111 West 57th Street, The 435-metre residential tower was designed by architecture studio SHoP and stands on what has become known as Billionaire’s Row near Central Park.
The slender tower has a height-to-width ratio of 24:1 – making it the world’s skinniest skyscraper, and is also the second-tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
550 Madison, New York City, USA, by Snøhetta
Manhattan also saw the renovation of one of 20th century’s most distinctive skyscrapers completed in 2022. Architecture studio Snøhetta revamped the postmodern 550 Madison skyscraper, which was designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee and was formerly known as the AT&T building.
The controversial refurbishment saw some of the facades altered, a public garden added and ventilation and elevation systems improved.
DJI Sky City, Shenzhen, China, by Foster + Partners
One of several skyscrapers completed by British studio Foster + Partners in cities across the world this year, the 200-metre-high Sky City building was designed as the headquarters for Drone manufacturer DJI.
The pair of 200-metre-high skyscrapers were connected by an open-air suspension bridge more than 100 meters above the ground.
611 West 56th Street, New York City, USA, by Álvaro Siza
Also in New York, the 611 West 56th Street skyscraper in Manhattan was one of several high-profile skyscrapers to complete in the city this year.
Clad entirely in Perla Bianca limestone, the 35-storey residential building is Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza’s first building in the United States.
Newfoundland, London, UK, by Horden Cherry Lee
In London, architecture studio Horden Cherry Lee unveiled the Newfoundland residential skyscraper in the Canary Wharf financial district.
Wrapped in a diamond-shaped exoskeleton, the 225-metre tall skyscraper was designed to take advantage of its prominent location on the banks of the river Thames and at the end of Middle Dock.
CapitaSpring, Singapore, by BIG and Carlo Ratti Associati
The 280-metre-tall CapitaSpring skyscraper in Singapore was designed to offer visitors a “seamless transition between the garden and the city”.
Designed by architecture studios BIG and Carlo Ratti Associati, the 51-storey mixed-use building incorporates large pockets of greenery that are framed by sculptural facade openings.
Varso Tower, Warsaw, Poland, by Foster + Partners
In Warsaw, British architecture studio Foster + Partners unveiled the 310-metre-high Varso Tower. On its completion, the supertall skyscraper, which contains offices and is topped with a sky garden, became the European Union’s tallest building.
The skyscraper overtook the 259-metre-tall Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, which was also designed by Foster + Partners, to gain the title.
National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait, by Foster + Partners
Another supertall skyscraper designed by Foster + Partners opened in Kuwait City. Designed for the National Bank of Kuwait, the 300-meter-high building has a distinctive rounded form that culminates in a pointed peak.
According to the studio, the building was designed to be a “distinctive landmark that stands out on the Kuwaiti skyline”.
Kō’ula, Honolulu, USA, by Studio Gang
Chicago-based Studio Gang completed a residential tower in Hawaii called Kō’ula that has an undulating facade informed by sugar cane.
The 41-storey building, which was designed to maximise views of the ocean, was wrapped in terraces informed by Lānai – covered verandas common in Hawaii.
Ascent, Milwaukee, USA, by Korb + Associates Architects
Built in Milwaukee, the 86.6-metre-tall Ascent tower became the world’s tallest timber building when it was completed this year. Made from from cross-laminated timber and glulam, the tower was designed by Korb + Associates Architects and contains luxury apartments.
It was certified as the world’s tallest timber building, as well as the world’s tallest timber-concrete hybrid building, by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
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