Hamburg, September 30, 2015 – The winner of the world’s most renowned architecture prize for
skyscrapers, the Emporis Skyscraper Award, is finally official: The building complex Wangjing SOHO
in Beijing was chosen by an international panel of experts from more than 300 skyscrapers of at least
100 meters’ height and which were completed during the previous calendar year. The award, given by
Emporis (www.emporis.com), the international provider of building data, is now into its fifteenth year.
Winner 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.
Emporis Skyscraper Award 2014
Source: www.emporis.com
Second-placed Bosco Verticale (“vertical forest”), however, stands out through its “green” architecture,
which marks a milestone in the field of sustainable construction. The facade and balconies of the two
towers designed by Boeri Studio are covered with more than 700 trees and 90 different species of
plants, which help to reduce smog and attenuate noise, while simultaneously producing oxygen and
controlling the temperature inside the 105 meter and 78 meter tall towers.
The expert jury voted Tour D2 in Courbevoie into third place. Its elegant shape is defined by an
external diagrid structure that spans the 171 meter tall oval tower in full height: The extravagant
diamond design gives the skyscraper its characteristic appearance and makes the facade sparkle in
the sunlight. On the roof, the steel mesh merges together to form an imposing dome above what is
called the “Cloud Garden”, a 500m2 large green oasis in the heart of the business center.
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.
Wangjing SOHO Copyright Jan Martin
When choosing the winners, height records hardly play any role. Hence, only three “supertalls”
(skyscrapers with a height of at least 300m) made it to the Top Ten this year. Instead of following the
principle of “Bigger, Higher, Faster”, 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”, says Daniel Schuldt, Emporis’ managing director.
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About Emporis
Emporis is a leading database of information about building and construction projects, based in
Germany. For over a decade Emporis has helped companies, organizations and individuals stay
informed about the building industry. The Emporis Skyscraper Award is the world’s most renowned
prize for high-rise architecture.
About the Award
The Emporis Skyscraper Award has been given since 2000. The jury is formed of architecture experts
from all over the world, who judge nominated buildings according to aesthetic and functional design
criteria. Previous winners include The Shard in London (2013), Absolute World Towers in Mississauga
(2012) and New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street in New York City (2011).
Media Contact
Johanna-Lena Paulsen, Public Relations +49 (0)40 6094 6494 1
Emporis GmbH E-Mail: press@emporis.com
Arndtstrasse 25, 22085 Hamburg, Germany Web: www.emporis.com
