It's been a record year for blockbuster building reveals. As a useful indicator of some important current and future trends, here are the top ten architectural announcements of 2024.
Legends Tower, USA, by AO
Arguably the biggest story of the year on Dezeen was the Legends Tower, a 581 meter skyscraper planned for Oklahoma City that, if built, will be the world's tallest building outside Asia.
Since its announcement in January, the project, developed by Matteson Capital, has received full funding and approval from the City Council.
In an interview with Dezeen, the California-based architect who designed Legends Tower revealed that such a tall building was not the original intention.
Learn more about Legends Tower ›
Saudi Arabia's World Cup stadiums
Saudi Arabia remains the sole contender to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and in August announced all the stadiums the country would use, including 11 that would be newly built.
Among them is the Neom Stadium, which is integrated into the skyscraper city The Line, which is currently under construction in the northwest of the country. The Saudi bid describes it as the “most unique stadium in the world.” Its pitch will be more than 350 meters above the ground – but the architect has not yet been named.
Neom's other major announcements this year included an “inverted skyscraper” in a mountain and a 450-meter-long bridge hotel. The region-building project continues to face strong criticism from human rights groups.
Find out more about Saudi Arabia's World Cup stadiums ›
The two kilometer high skyscraper from Foster + Partners
Although it wasn't an announcement – and hasn't been confirmed by either the architect or a developer at this time – this was one of the biggest architectural stories of 2024.
The British magazine Architects' Journal reported that the architectural firm Foster + Partners is designing a two-kilometer-tall skyscraper in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
If completed, it would be by far the tallest building in the world, more than twice as tall as the 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai and twice as tall as the Jeddah Tower, currently under construction in the Saudi port city.
Learn more about this story ›
Senna Tower, Brazil, by Lalalli Senna
Further evidence that the development of record-breaking skyscrapers shows no signs of slowing came from Brazil.
The Senna Tower, planned for Balneário Camboriú, a city in the southern state of Santa Catarina in Brazil, will be 500 meters high and would therefore not only be the tallest building in South America, but also the tallest residential tower in the world.
The slender, glass-clad tower was designed by artist Lalalli Senna to reflect the “heroic journey” of her late uncle, racing driver Ayrton Senna.
Find out more about the Senna Tower ›
Marcus Center, USA, by Michael Green Architecture
The emergence of ever taller buildings made of solid wood has also been a key architectural trend in recent years, and in August another wood project was unveiled that aims to be taller than all the others.
Vancouver studio Michael Green Architects released plans for a project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that includes a 55-story tower built primarily from mass timber elements.
If built, it would replace the 86.6-meter Ascent Tower by Korb + Associates Architects, also in Milwaukee, as the tallest engineered wood building in the world.
Learn more about the Marcus Center ›
8 Renovation of Canada Square, UK, by KPF
Amid concerns about the environmental impact of new construction, renovation is becoming an increasing focus for many architects, as owners of large office buildings look for ways to adapt their assets to post-coronavirus requirements.
These two trends appeared to come together when US architecture studio Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) unveiled plans to redevelop the Foster + Partners-designed HSBC tower in London's Canary Wharf, officially named 8 Canada Square.
Terraces will be cut into the facade of the 200 meter high skyscraper, new functions will be added and cultural and leisure activities will be created in addition to work spaces.
Learn more about the HSBC Tower renovation ›
Grand Stade Hassan II Stadium, Morocco, by Oualalou + Choi and Populous
Architectural firms Oualalou + Choi and Populous released images of the Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco, which is being built for the 2030 World Cup.
With a planned 115,000 seats, it will be the largest football stadium in the world when completed.
The stadium will be covered with a huge tent roof made of an aluminum grid.
Find out more about the Grand Stade Hassan II stadium ›
888 Brickell, USA, by Studio Sofield and Dolce & Gabbana
Brand-name high-rise residential buildings have become an important building trend this decade. Luxury car brands have previously dominated the market, but in April fashion house Dolce & Gabbana signaled its intention to join them.
The label released renderings of a supertall skyscraper in Miami designed in collaboration with New York architecture firm Studio Sofield.
Learn more about 888 Brickell ›
Muraba Veil, United Arab Emirates, by RCR Arquitectes
Dubai has become synonymous with eye-catching skyscrapers, and in October it was announced that another skyscraper would join the Gulf city's downtown skyline.
The Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning studio RCR Arquitectes presented its design for Muraba Veil, which, despite its height of 380 meters, will only be the width of an apartment.
The lower part of the apartment building will house a spa and community room designed to feel like you are in a sand dune.
Learn more about the Muraba Veil ›
Completion date of the Sagrada Familia
Not all of the big architecture news this year was about new projects. In March, the La Sagrada Familia Foundation announced that a completion date had finally been set for the famous Antoni Gaudí-designed church in Barcelona.
Construction is now expected to be completed in 2026 – more than 140 years after construction began and a century after the architect's death.
When completed, the Sagrada Familia will be the tallest church in the world with its 170 meter high central tower.
Find out more about the Sagrada Familia ›