The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has announced the Best Tall Buildings of 2009, recognising a building in each geographic region.

This 115m tall building by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects/Smith Carter Architects and Engineers was recognised for being completely site specific. Data on wind, sun and temperature at the site was analysed to produce a sustainable tower that uses 60% less energy than a regular office block.

This 220,000 sq m project features 750 apartments, green space, commercial zones, entertainment and education facilities. But what makes it really special is how architect Steven Holl has managed to achieve a porous flow through the building with linked walkways, multifaceted layers and open passages. Its use of colour is admirable and adds to the buzzing feeling of this development.

Architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill were praised for the efficiency of this design and for the creation of a pedestrian connection through the site, which in turn connects the building to the surrounding environment. It also had a strong sustainability component.

This striking tower that allows for interesting exterior lighting took out the Middle East and Africa category. Judges commented that architects CICO Consulting Architects and Engineers / SIAT Architekten + Ingenieure Munchen GmbH for the lightweight structure that allows for flexible floor plans and efficiencies in construction, economics and energy.