International High-Rise Award 2026/27: Projects from four continents in the final for the world’s best high-rise
The finalists of this year's International High-Rise Award (IHA) have been determined. The jury selected five buildings from Asia, Europe, Australia and South America from a total of 30 nominated high-rise buildings from 12 countries.
In reaching its decision, the jury focused on recognising projects that will remain relevant for many years to come, despite the fact that planning for them had begun several years earlier.
The IHA is regarded as the world’s most prestigious award for high-rise buildings. On 3 November 2026, Birgit Dietl-Benzin, a member of the DekaBank’s Executive Board, will announce the winning project at Frankfurt’s Paulskirche. The project will then be presented with a statuette by the internationally renowned artist Thomas Demand and a cash prize of 50,000 euros by Lord Mayor Mike Josef. In addition, the event will be broadcast via live stream. The award is presented by the City of Frankfurt am Main together with Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) and DekaBank.
Since 2004, the International High-Rise Award has been held every two years jointly by the City of Frankfurt, Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM), and DekaBank and conferred on a high-rise selected by the jury from a long list of international nominees.
WHAT
The International High-Rise Award is conferred on a building that combines exemplary sustainability, outer shape, inner spatial qualities, and social aspects to form a superior building.
HOW
The International High-Rise Award is conferred on the developer and the planning practice and includes a cash prize of EUR 50,000; it is based on a nomination process. Planning practices are invited to participate and can therefore not simply submit entries.
WHO
The composition of the jury changes for each new edition of the IHA. It is made up of renowned international architects, engineers, and architectural critics as well as representatives of the partners, namely DekaBank, the City of Frankfurt, and Deutsches Architekturmuseum.
