architecture
The most innovative skyscraper stands next to the Sydney Opera House
The high-rise “Quay Quarter Tower” (M) not far from the opera house. photo
© Adam Mørk/DeKaBank/dpa
The jury praised the tower “as an innovative solution for sustainable construction”. The architects integrated an old high-rise building into the new building. There are also different views of the opera.
The “Quay Quarter Tower” office tower in Sydney, Australia, is the world’s most innovative high-rise: The building by the 3XN architects from Copenhagen has won the International High-Rise Award 2022/23, as the jury in Frankfurt announced. The prize is endowed with 50,000 euros.
The building convinced the jury “as an innovative solution for sustainable construction in a time of increasing ecological challenges”. The architects did not demolish an old high-rise building from the 1970s, but integrated it into the new building and reused the demolition material.
According to the jury, the tower is “an extraordinary combination of upcycling and densification”: access points on all sides connect the high-rise with the neighboring buildings and provide different views of the famous opera house opposite. The tower houses offices, retail and an outdoor café on the plinth.
Five buildings in the final
Five buildings on four continents were in the final, including Bjarke Ingels’ “Vancouver House” in Canada and David Chipperfield’s “The Bryant” in New York. Among the 34 nominees in the preliminary round were two new skyscrapers in Frankfurt: the “One” and the “Senckenberg Quartier”.
The International Highrise Prize is awarded every two years. Sustainability, exterior design and interior room qualities as well as urban planning aspects are evaluated. Other criteria are innovative construction technology and cost-effectiveness.
Buildings must be at least 100 meters tall and completed within the past two years. The prize is awarded jointly by the city of Frankfurt, the Deutsches Architekturmuseum and DekaBank.
An exhibition in Frankfurt from November 9th to January 22nd shows the best buildings that were nominated for the high-rise award. Because the Architekturmuseum is currently being renovated, the exhibition “Best High-Rises 2022/23” is a guest at the Museum Angewandte Kunst.