The ‘world’s best new skyscraper 2012’ prize has been awarded to a pair of buildings colloquially known as “Marilyn Monroe“. The curvy, twisting buildings, officially known as Absolute World Towers, located in Ontario, Canada, were designed by Beijing-based MAD architects and Toronto-based Burka Architects. “The way the two structures twist organically by up to eight degrees per floor is not just a superb technical achievement, but also a refreshing change to the set forms of high-rise routine,” said an international panel of expert judges when explaining their decision.
The world’s second best new skyscraper award went to the Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, UAE, designed by Aedas Architects. Ironically I was a part of the team that actually bid for the construction contract on this project when I was still living and working in Abu Dhabi myself for Aldar Laing O’Rourke, so it’s a building structure I’m very familiar with having extensively analysed the construction technologies it required (we didn’t win the bid of course and the contract ultimately went to Al-Futtaim Carillion).
The award for the world’s third best new skyscraper went to the Burj Qatar (also known as the Doha Tower), a 238-meter skyscraper designed by architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel. I have photographed this building extensively as a part of the stock library of images I compiled for the Qatar Financial Centre Authority recently.
Now whilst I can’t get everywhere in the world to photograph every building that’s going to win a prestigious international award I can share some of these wonderful images of the Doha Tower with you… :-D
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dennis guichard photography 