BIG?s VIA 57 West has been unanimously chosen as the winner of the 2016 International Highrise Award (IHA) for the world?s most innovative highrise.

© Kirsten Bucher

BIG?s VIA 57 West has been unanimously chosen as the winner of the 2016 International Highrise Award (IHA) for the world?s most innovative highrise.One of the world?s most important architectural prizes for tall buildings, the award is presented by Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) every two years to the project that best exemplifies the criteria of future-oriented design, functionality, innovative building technology, integration into urban development schemes, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

© Kirsten Bucher
Described by DAM as a ?grandiose building sculpture [representing] a varied and sensual experience from all perspectives,? the winning project was selected from over 1500 highrises commissioned worldwide over the last two years, which was narrowed down to 30 nominated buildings and later a 5-strong shortlist.?It is a great honor that VIA 57 West receives the International Highrise Award 2016,? said BIG founder Bjarke Ingels. ?It is a rare new breed of building combining the communal qualities of a european courtyard with the density and views of a highrise. I see this prize as an invitation for us and others to think differently about how we want inhabit our future cities?

© Kirsten B...