Kohn Pederson Fox Associates' Lotte World Tower in South Korea wins Emporis Skyscraper award

The 123-story Lotte World Tower in Seoul has received one of the world's top prizes for very tall buildings. On Thursday, the Emporis Skyscraper Award, which recognizes outstanding skyscraper design worldwide, announced the tallest completed building in South Korea as the winner alongside nine other commended projects.

Designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, the 555-meter-high tower features the world's highest glass-bottomed observation deck as well as the world's tallest and fastest double-decker elevator, the Sky Shuttle, which travels at a record-breaking 600 meters per minute. Since opening last April, the building has become a major tourist attraction and a popular shooting location.

The glass and steel high-rise, which boasts a sleek, tapered design, was inspired by traditional Korean arts like calligraphy and ceramics. The jury noted its soft and natural dynamism, commenting that "the design combines modern elements with classical forms from Korea's art and cultural history, making Lotte World Tower a particularly harmonious skyscraper."

Other top-ten winning skyscrapers this year include SOM's Arena Tower in London, UNStudio's Raffles City Hangzhou, and Zaha Hadid's Generali Tower in Milan, to name a few. Below, take a look at the top ten winners.