Since the days of the Tower of Babel in Babylon, humans have always dreamed of building higher and higher. Competing to create not just the tallest but the most original architecture. The unconventional form of a twisting construction means that every component of building design must be rethought.
One day I saw an amazing swirling skyscraper and I wondered how many of these strange specimens could exist around the world… I happen to find quite a few.
Let’s take a look at these spectacular spiral skyscrapers emulating the biblical Babel Tower.
TWISTING TALL TOWERS WOLDWIDE
LAKHTA CENTER, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA.
Although not finished yet, it already shows an amazing original shape. Designed by British architect Tony Kettle with Gorproject, the tower has a projected height of 462 meters and is due to be completed by the end of 2018.
F&F TOWER, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA.
It was previously called “Revolution Tower” although it is colloquially known as “The Screw”. Reaching out at 236 meters high, it was built by architect Pinzon Lozano in 2011.
TURNING TORSO, MALMO, SWEDEN.
The world’s first ever twisted tall building was the 190 meter tower with a human name. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava from Valencia and finished in 2005
OCEAN HEIGHTS, DUBAI, UAE.
A residential skyscraper in Dubai Marina stands 310 meters tall and has 83 floors. It has been recently completed and is designed by American architect Andrew Bromberg from Aedas.
SHANGHAI TOWER, CHINA.
Topping the list in terms of height, it twirls 632 meters into the sky. It is the tallest building in China and the second tallest skyscraper in the world. Located in Shanghai burgeoning financial district, it is designed by architects Marshall Strabala and Jun Xia (Gensler firm). It’s twisted forms accommodates strong typhoon winds. It was completed in 2015.
THE ELEVENTH, NEW YORK, USA.
This twisted pair of towers in Manhattan will have a rotating aesthetic with a great sense of movement. The two towers designed by a very young Danish, Bjarke Ingels (only 30 years old) and his group BIG. They will stand 300 and 400 meters tall when they are completed in 2019.
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL TOWER, VANCOUVER, CANADA.
Reaching 188 meters high, the 69 story triangular tower was completed in 2016. Described as “a hyperbolic paraboloid” shape, it is designed by architect Arthur Erickson.
ABSOLUTE WORLD TOWERS, ONTARIO, CANADA.
Dubbed the “Marilyn Monroe” towers by local residents due to its fluid, natural lines, this pair of companion towers was designed by MAD architects. The two twisted towers stand at 176 meters and 158 meters tall.
CAYAN TOWER, DUBAI, UAE.
Finished in 2013 and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the tower soars 306 meters into the sky. It is also called “Infinity Tower”.
EVOLUTION TOWER, MOSCOW, RUSSIA.
A white ribbon wraps around Moscow’s stunning Evolution Tower. It topped out at 246 meters when completed in 2015. It is inspired by the city’s St. Basil Catedral and Russia’s never finished Talin’s Tower. The chief architect for design was Philip Nikandrov from Gorproject. 
