The building complex Wangjing SOHO in Beijing has won the world’s most renowned architecture prize for skyscrapers, the Emporis Skyscraper Award.
An international panel of experts chose Wangjing SOHO from more than 300 skyscrapers of at least 100 meters’ height which were completed during the previous calendar year.
The award, given by Emporis — an international provider of building data — is now into its 15th year.
Wangjing SOHO, consisting of three unique skyscrapers with a height of 118 meter, 127 meter and 200 meter each, impressed the jury by its excellent energy efficiency and its distinctive design, which gives the complex a harmonious and organic momentum.
The soft and fluid forms were designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, making Wangjing SOHO an architectural landmark of the metropolis Beijing.
Although often represented in the Top Ten, Wangjing SOHO is the first time China manages to take the crown, since the Emporis Skyscraper Award was established in the year 2000.
Surprisingly there is not a single Canadian building among the winners this year, even with Toronto being one of the cities with the most new high-rise and skyscraper projects.
Nevertheless, there is cause for celebration for North America: After the United States – the cradle of high-rise architecture – had been left empty handed two years in a row, this year two projects from New York made it into the Top Ten of the sought-after architecture prize.
Skidmore, Owings and Merril-designed One Wolrd Trade Center was ranked number four in the competition. And the residential tower One57 was placed at number eight.
When choosing the winners, height records hardly play any role. Only three “supertalls” made it to the Top Ten this year. The jury put its emphasis on other qualities: “The results of recent years clearly show that criteria such as sustainability, efficiency and a clever design play a much more important role than reaching new superlatives”, said Daniel Schuldt, Emporis’ managing director.
