If, with its recession, 2009 is the year we already hope to forget, then 2008 will be one to bundle up and hold tight. It could well mark a halt to the construction of innovative new eye-catching buildings, at least for a while.

So as Paul Goldberger of the New Yorker puts it in his architectural top 10: "For now, let's take pleasure in those projects that were started in that ancient era when the Dow was at twelve thousand, and we thought the fun would go on forever."

An abundance of cheap labour and a never ending budget allowed Herzog and de Meuron let loose for the 2008 Olympics. This incredible steel latticework stadium was the defining image of the Games and lit a rocket under London Olympic bosses.

  

2. Beijing Capital International Airport 

Not content with having a great stadium, China also built itself the world's biggest airport. Designed by Foster + Partners, it features a soaring aeordynamic roof and dragon-like form representing traditional China. 

3. CCTV Headquarters, Beijing 

China did well at the Olympics and has scooped the pool construction-wise as well this year. But how could I not include this structurally challenging building? Two towers meeting up with a vertical bridge put Arup's engineering know-how to the test.

4. Shanghai World Financial Centre 

Named the year's best skyscraper by a group of international architects, this tower in Shanghai is the second tallest in the world. Nicknamed the bottle opener, it was built with a void at the top to reduce pressure from wind.

5. Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC, Troy, NY) 

This incredible arts centre is particularly striking for the 1,200 seat concert hall clad in timber and nestled within the main structure. Builders worked with materials running the gamut from steel to wood to create a building that blurs the lines between the traditional and modern.

6. Elm Park, Dublin 

This £300m mixed-use development has transformed the outskirts of Dublin into a sustainable wonderland. Most of the project's energy is generated on site and buildings use site orientation and smart materials to be green.

7. 51 Lime Street, London (Willis Building) 

The sleek and environmentally-efficient Willis Building officially opened in London this year. The development includes two buildings, one 9-storeys and the other a terraced 28-storey tower rated BREEAM Excellent.

8. Bahrain World Trade Centre 

Already an award-winner, this 50-storey tower features two sail-like towers that rise 240m to represent the maritime history of Bahrain. Spectacularly they are joined together by three wind turbines.

9. Agucadoura wave farm, Portugal 

These 130m long sea snakes are Portugal's latest offshore wave farm, capable of powering 1,500 homes. Connected by hinges the snakes bob up and down, pumping fluid through hydraulic motors that turn generators to make power.

 

10. Heathrow Terminal 5, London 

It's opening in March was probably BAA's worst day ever, but the construction of T5 was a boon for builders. Costing £4.3bn, it was the biggest project around and was an exercise in great client-contractor relationships.

They're two completely different breeds, but finally scientists and surfers have been able to agree on one thing - the power of a good wave.

After months of construction, the world's first wave farm off the coast of Portugal has started generating power for 1,500 homes.

Consisting of three 130m by 4m Pelamis sea snake-like wave energy converters (more pics), Agucadoura can generate 2.25 megawatts.

Basically, the sea snakes are connected by hinges and bob up and down with the waves. The hinges are resisted by hydraulic rams that pump fluid through hydraulic motors that turn electrical generators that make power.

This power is fed via an underwater cable to shore.

Scottish firm Pelamis Wave Power hopes to build another 21 sea snakes next year to increase capacity.

Soon it'll be the scientists yelling "surf's up, dude!"