More praise for Aqua: Global building database selects it as 2009's top skyscraper

Aqua Chicago architect Jeanne Gang's Aqua skyscraper continues to reap high praise.

Emporis, the global building database, on Tuesday will name the residential and hotel tower, located in the 200 block of North Columbus Drive and best known for its spectacularly undulating balconies, its 2009 skyscraper of the year.

"Members of the jury praised Aqua for its fascinating shape, whose appearance changes dramatically depending on the perspective. It was also cited as a brilliant technical achievement for the precision of its construction, and lauded as an application of green design innovations to an extremely large building project," Emporis said in a news release.

The honor, known as the Emporis Skyscraper Award, has been given since 2000 and recognizes excellence in aesthetic and functional design.

It has previously gone to such high-rises as Lord Norman Foster's Hearst Tower in New York City and Santiago Calatrava's Turning Torso Tower in Malmo, Sweden.

This marks the first time that the prize, which is given annually to a building at least 100 meters tall that was completed within the award year, has gone to a Chicago skyscraper.

Chicago's Trump International Hotel & Tower, designed by Chicago architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and former SOM partner Adrian Smith, finished fifth in the jury's voting, with 36 points compared to Aqua's 86.

The second prize winner was the O-14 high-rise in Dubai, whose perforated exterior provides a unique shield against the desert sun. (The building was not occupied when I attempted to see it in Dubai last month.)

Emporis editors from 67 countries make nominations for the prize and select the winners. Here are the jury's top results:

Top 10 Skyscrapers of 2009

(rank / building / city / country / points)
1. Aqua, Chicago U.S.A.. 86
2. O-14 Dubai U.A.E., 61
3. The Met, Bangkok Thailand, 43
4. Torres de Hércules, Los Barrios Spain, 38
5. Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago U.S.A., 36
6. The Red Apple, Rotterdam Netherlands, 34
7. Bank of America Tower, New York City U.S.A.. 32
8. Almas Tower, Dubai U.A.E., 16
9. Millennium Tower, San Francisco U.S.A., 13
10. William Beaver House, New York City U.S.A., 10