Top 9 Skyscrapers That Push The Limits of Design

Architecture is an amazing thing. The sheer ability to make a building stand out and become a landmark that’s instantly recognized is a much underrated skill to have. And especially in our modern times, architecture has moved forward in huge leaps, pushing the limits of design in every possible way. We build ‘em bigger, taller and more expensive. It’s essentially how cities brag to each other.
The buildings that are most thankful to design would be skyscrapers. They single-handedly determine the entire skyline of a city and they’re the most visible building in any area. They also give an added architectural challenge because higher buildings need to be built more aerodynamically et cetera. Also it’s cooler to build a 100 story building than a random “square with triangle on top” house. Let’s face it – we were all designing houses when we were in kindergarten. Nobody’s impressed unless you do something unique with them.
While there’s a lot of amazing non-tall buildings out there, we’re taking the phallic route. Since bigger is always better, even in architecture, let’s take a look at 9 of the most brilliantly designed skyscrapers – either existing or planned.

9. Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (Tokyo, Japan)

At a whopping 204 meters tall (that’s over 650 feet for you Americans), this 50-story building was finished in October 2008. It was designed by the good sir Paul Noritaka Tange, who is now probably a rich man walking around Tokyo, pointing at the tower and going all “I designed that”. The building currently houses three separate educational institutes.

8. Al Hamra Tower (Kuwait, Kuwait)

This 80-story building has a total length of 414 metres (1300-something feet). It was built in a timespan of six years, with construction finishing in 2011, and it holds offices and a shopping mall. Here’s hoping the shopping mall isn’t on the 80th floor!

7. Aqua Tower (Chicago, USA)

The Aqua tower looks like, well, water flowing down. The reason for this is pretty practical: by stretching the balconies outward, it allows the residents a better view of the city. The design also maximizes solar shading. Thanks, science! This tower is an 87-story, 261 meter building with room for apartments, hotel rooms, shops and offices. Construction started in 2007 and was finished in 2009.