Tall Trends of 2016

John Hill
17. January 2017
MahNakhon in Bangkok by Buro Ole Scheeren (Photo: Pace Development)

The study has been published as a PDF, but a visit to CTBUH's website is recommended since the charts and descriptions are interactive. The illustration below highlights some of the notable findings, including the continued dominance of China (66% of 200 m+ towers were built there last year) and the generally insatiable desire to build taller (2016 had the most 200 m+ towers of any year).

Screenshot of CTBUH Year in Review

Although the CTBUH Year in Review takes a quantitative approach to last year's output, we're more drawn to the quality of the towers; in this regard, 2016 was a very good year. A few notable designs are highlighted here with photographs: Ole Scheeren's mixed-use, pixelated MahaNakhon tower in Bangkok; WOHA's Oasia Downtown Hotel in Singapore, where its red screen is quickly being taken over by green plantings; and LBR&A's Torre Reforma office building in Mexico City, whose triangular plan features solid walls on two sides and glass walls with diagonal bracing on its long third side.

Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore by WOHA (Photo: K. Kopter)
Torre Reforma in Mexico City by LBR&A Arquitectos (Photo: Alfonso Merchand)

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