Sydney’s One Central Park named one of the world’s best new skyscrapers

The residential towers at Sydney's One Central Park were voted the fifth best new skyscraper in the world by Emporis, a Hamburg-based building and construction data company.

The “international jury of architecture experts” selected buildings which had been completed in the last 12 months and were at least 100 metres tall, judging them according to “aesthetic and functional design criteria,” according to Emporis. A total of 300 high rise buildings were considered.

First place went to London’s The Shard, the 87 storey tower which opened in February last year. The tallest building in the European Union, the Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano with Adamson Associates.

One Central Park was completed in December 2013. Designed by French architecture practice Jean Nouvel with Australian firm PTW, the skyscraper’s standout feature is its plant covered walls, which are set to reach full growth potential at the end of the year. 

PTW director Matt Dobbs said One Central Park was a “dream project to work on.”

“Collaborating with the likes of world renowned architect Jean Nouvel is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” he said.

The other major feature of the skyscraper is Nouvel’s signature cantilever – a suspended beam or structure jutting out from the main building, anchored at only one end. At One Central Park, the cantilever is the tower’s Sky Garden, which extends from level 29 of the East tower.

The Emporis Skyscraper award is now in its fourteenth year. Previous winners include London's 30 St Mary Axe ("the Gherkin" to some), the Kingdom Centre in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Tokyo.

The top 10 skyscrapers of the last year, according to Emporis:

1. The Shard, UK
   
   
   Source: Wikimedia Commons
   
   
2. DC Tower #1, Austria
   
   
   Source: Wikimedia.
   
   
3. Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, China
   
   
   Source: Wikimedia.
   
   
4. Cayan Tower, United Arab Emirates
   
   
   Source: Supplied.
   
   
5. One Central Park, Australia
   
   
   Source: Supplied.
   
   
6. Flame Towers, Azerbaijan
   
   
   Source: wikiarquitectura.
   
   
7. Mercury City, Russia
   
   
   Source: Supplied.
   
   
8. Ardmore Residence, Singapore
   
   
   Source: Supplied.
   
   
9. AZ Tower, Czech Republic
   
   
   Source: Wikimedia.
   
   
10. EQUAL: Nanfung Commercial, Hospitality and Exhibition Complex, China & Tour Carpe Diem, France
    
    
    Nanfung Commercial, Hospitality and Exhibition Complex, China. Source: Hong Kong Institute of Architects
    
    
    Tour Carpe Diem, France. Source: Vincent4617/Creative Commons.