High-rise buildings are a consequence of the over-densification of the world, but not only. Skyscrapers have long become a symbol of prestige, ambition, modern luxury, and a testing ground for advanced technologies. The record holder is still China; impressive high-rise buildings are being built in the USA, the United Arab Emirates, and Korea. Europe does not appear in the ranking. The absolute leader in completed ultra-high-end projects is the American architectural bureau Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF).
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, 828 m
From the very beginning, the building was planned to be the tallest building in the world. When it was built, the height was kept secret: if a more grandiose tower appeared somewhere, changes would be made to the project. The skyscraper has 163 floors and is crowned by the world’s longest spire, 180. The open observation deck at a level of 555 meters is also a record-breaking one, from which a breathtaking view of the city and desert opens. The plan follows the shape of a desert hymenocallis flower, the structure tapers towards the top, and its thinnest part literally melts into the clouds. Every evening the Burj Khalifa comes alive with a light show. A special grade of concrete has been developed especially for the skyscraper, which can withstand temperatures up to +50 °C. Project Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM).
Shanghai Tower, 632 m
Located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. Structurally, it consists of nine cylindrical buildings stacked on top of each other. The silhouette is markedly skewed, with the outer shell twisting 120° as the height increases—an unusual shape tested in a wind tunnel that is designed to reduce wind loads by 24 percent. It also made it possible to reduce the number of steel structures by a quarter and glass panels by 14 percent. The double-layer glass facade eliminates the need for reflective materials in the cladding and allows maximum daylight to pass through, saving energy. Project by Gensler Architects and 2Define Architecture.
Abraj al-Bayt, Mecca, 601 m
The postmodern complex of high-rise buildings in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It occupies third place both in height and area of premises (1,500,000 sq. meters), and also first in the world in terms of mass. The crescent on the spire is the largest of all existing ones: diameter 23 meters, weight 107 tons. The tower clocks, one on each façade, are located 400 meters above the ground and are 43 meters long. The complex was built opposite the entrance to the al-Haram mosque, in the courtyard of which is the Kaaba, the main shrine of Islam. The central tower serves as a hotel, providing housing for about 100 thousand pilgrims. This is the tallest hotel in the world – another record. Project by Dar Al Handasah Architects.
Pin’an Financial Center, Shenzhen, 599 m
The Pin’an International Financial Center is a complex of buildings that includes a 599-meter, 115-story skyscraper. Built in the city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, in the Futian business district. The design tapers towards the top to better withstand the force of the wind. It was assumed that the skyscraper would become the tallest building in China (and the second in the world), surpassing the Shanghai Tower, but the 60-meter spire was subsequently removed from the project – this was done for reasons of aviation safety. Project by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF).
Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 555 m
The 123-story skyscraper was erected in the area of the Lotte World entertainment complex in Seoul, South Korea, on the banks of the Han River. The facade is interesting due to the absence of corners and the expansion of the silhouette in the middle part. According to the authors, the glass panels of the exterior decoration should resemble traditional Korean ceramics in texture. Floors 1 to 6 are occupied by shops, from 7 to 60 – offices, from 61 to 85 – apartments, and from 86 to 119 – a hotel. The upper levels are open to the public and contain one of the highest observation decks in the world. Project by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF).
1 World Trade Center, New York, 541 m
The tallest building in the USA. Significant not only for Americans but for the whole world. Another name is Freedom Tower. Built in lower Manhattan, on the site of the World Trade Center complex, which was destroyed on September 11, 2001. The width of the sides of the base is 61 meters, that is, approximately the same as the twin towers that stood here. The building is completed by a 124-meter metal spire weighing 758 tons. Project author: David Magee Childs is an American architect and chairman emeritus of the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
CTF Financial Center, Guangzhou, 530 m
The skyscraper in the city of Guangzhou in southern China is also known as the East Tower. The building has 116 floors, and the tapering structure reduces the impact of air currents. Terraces are built in places where there is a difference in thickness. The façade is lined with light stripes: ceramic profiles, an available local material, protect the premises from the sun and help reduce construction costs. According to the architects, this is the tallest building in the world with ceramic details on the facades. The tower is also known for the world’s fastest elevators: a lifting speed of 72.4 km/h (20.1 m/sec). Project by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) and Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers.
China Zun, Beijing, 528 m
China Zun is the tallest building in the Chinese capital, with 108 floors. According to the designers, the architecture is based on the shape of the ancient Chinese ritual vessel zun, which also gave it its name. The design is unusual: as a rule, architects reduce the size of the upper part to reduce wind loads, but in this case, the building narrows in the middle and widens again at the top. Project Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and Farrells
Taipei 101, Taipei, 509 m
The symbol of Taipei and all of Taiwan. Completed in 2003, the tower was the first to exceed half a kilometer in height, and until 2007 it remained the tallest building in the world. The postmodern building combines modern technology and the traditions of Chinese architecture. The glass, steel, and aluminum building is supported by 380 concrete pillars, each of which extends 80 meters into the ground. The risk of collapse is reduced by a 660-ton pendulum ball placed between the 87th and 91st floors. According to the developers, the tower will be able to withstand an earthquake of such magnitude that it occurs in this area once every 2,500 years. Project by CY Lee & Partners.
Shanghai World Financial Center, 498 m
The 101-story building is remembered for the hole in the top, which is why it received the nickname “Opener” among the people. The purpose of a window is to reduce air resistance. At first, it was supposed to be round, but since it resembled the sun on the Japanese flag, the shape was replaced with a trapezoidal one. This also made the design cheaper. The construction of the building was actively supported by the Japanese tycoon Minoru Mori, so the skyscraper unofficially bears his name. Kohn Pedersen Fox Project (KPF)
Central Park Tower, New York, 472 m
The tower near Central Park in New York is a new landmark of the city, the tallest residential building in the world. Other high-rise buildings in the rating, although they include residential units, are multifunctional. The tower is located in a block called “Billionaires Avenue” and is among the most expensive real estate. The facade combines glass and satin steel, and the contrast of verticals and horizontals emphasizes the play of textures and light. Inside there is luxury, space, and an unprecedented level of service. The windows offer epic views of Central Park. Project by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS + GG).
432 Park Avenue, New York 426
The 85-story residential skyscraper fits well into the architecture of Midtown. Both specialists and city residents like its clean, laconic geometry. With a base-to-height ratio of 1:15, this tower is one of the thinnest ever built. The architectural concept is based on a square. The building has a square plan, with a regular 3 x 3 meter grid of windows marking the facades. The construction was preceded by the demolition of the Drake Hotel, built in 1926, which developer Harry Mucklow bought for $440 million. Project by Rafael Viñoli Architects.
The most important thing about our X that it is for
those who are in a hurry
