Emporis Skyscraper Award 2012 Goes to Canada’s Absolute World Condominium Complex

By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

Mississauga, Ontario—The Absolute World residential towers in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga have garnered the prestigious Emporis Skyscraper Award, one of the most highly regarded prizes for high-rise architecture.

Designed by Beijing-based MAD Architects and Toronto-based Burka Architects, Absolute Word 1 and Absolute World 2 are part of the five-building Absolute City Centre development. Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Development Group developed the community.

Colloquially known as “Marilyn Monroe” and “Monroe Mate,” the two shapely luxury condominium high-rises were completed in December 2012. Located on the northeast corner of the crossroads of Hurontario Street and Burnhamthope Road, a gateway to the Mississauga town center, the towers are about 577 and 518 feet tall, respectively.

“The way the two structures twist organically by up to 8 degrees per floor is not just a superb technical achievement, but also a refreshing change to the set forms of high-rise routine,” the panel of experts say.

The two towers were selected by an international jury of experts from over 300 skyscrapers that were completed last year and are at least 328 feet tall.

The Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, UAE has secured the second place in the competition. Designed by Aedas Architects, the skyscraper complex features an innovative outer skin, which rotates in response to the sun’s position, leading to a substantial thermal energy reduction inside the buildings.

Another winning project, the 780-foot Burj Qatar skyscraper in Doha, was voted into third place. Designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, the structure features a metal mesh façade, which draws on traditional mashrabiya windows that protect buildings from the hot desert climate.