- More than just an awards book, but a comprehensive survey of the activity in skyscrapers the world over, each year - The CTBUH's Awards series draws from the multi-disciplinary expertise of the practitioners directly involved in bringing these buildings to life - This guide is intended for anyone working on the design and operation of tall buildings at both the building and urban scales - Readers will gain a better and more varied understanding of the skyscraper typology, why it's important, and where it is innovative The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the world's foremost authority on tall buildings. Best Tall Buildings chronicles the annual awards process, in which the CTBUH recognizes outstanding tall buildings and design innovations that advance the potential of integrated sustainability, economic productivity, and social prosperity in cities across the world. More than an awards book, this volume serves as a global overview of tall building construction and activity in a given year, providing in-depth description of the buildings' design and significance, accompanied by stunning images, detailed drawings, and plans. This book provides fascinating and inspiring reading for all those interested in the planning, design, and construction of tall buildings. CTBUH bestows 11 awards annually, four of which are given to buildings in various geographical regions: Americas, Asia & Australasia, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The title of overall Best Tall Building Worldwide is then presented to one of the four regional winners at the annual CTBUH Awards Symposium and Ceremony. Additionally, the Urban Habitat Award recognizes significant contributions to the urban realm, in connection with tall buildings. The 10 Year Award recognizes proven value and performance - across one or more of a wide range of criteria - after a building has been complete and in operation for a decade. The Innovation Award recognizes a specific area of recent innovation in the tall building industry that has been incorporated into the design of, or significantly tested in, the construction, operation, or refurbishment of a tall building project. The Performance Award recognizes a building with proven value and performance over a minimum of three years. The CTBUH also gives two annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the design or technical advancement of tall buildings.
About the Author: Antony Wood has been Executive Director of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat since 2006. Based at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Antony is a Research Professor in the College of Architecture and is also a Visiting Professor of Tall Buildings at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, Shanghai. He is the author and editor of numerous books and papers in the field, and his PhD explored the multi-disciplinary aspects of skybridge connections between tall buildings. Californian-born Steven Henry received his degree in architecture in May 2008 from the College of Architecture of the Illinois Institute of echnology. In his final years he studied new programmatic uses for high-rise buildings as well as research on how to incorporate sustainable features as an inherent part of the design. Involved with the CTBUH since January 2008, he designed and produced the Council's inaugural awards book titled, Best Tall Buildings 2008: CTBUH International Awards Winning Projects. Among other tasks, he continues to coordinate the council's book publications.