The International Highrise Award is bestowed every two years on an outstanding building from a number of worldwide nominations; it must be characterized by special aesthetics, future-oriented design, integration into the urban fabric and innovative technology and cost effectiveness. In this volume, 27 current highrise projects demonstrate important trends and innovative concepts—from the highest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to iconic giants like the Shanghai World Financial Center. Highrises have long ceased to serve mere representation and identification purposes. Their diverse functional potentials are astonishing—these days cultural institutes such as opera houses or educational centers as well as sensational residential projects are accommodated by specially planned highrises.