太阳塔丨中国烟台丨Open Architecture

Following the completion of Open Architecture’s conical Sun Tower in China, we’ve collected 10 eye-catching skyscrapers, towers and cultural buildings that stand out from their surroundings. Spiky residential towers, an ark-shaped church and a timber castle viewpoint are among the featured buildings, many of which have become landmarks in their contexts thanks to their towering heights and sculptural forms that can be seen from afar. Read on for 10 striking structures that stand out in the landscape:

Photo by Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Sun Tower, China, by Open Architecture

Sun Tower is a 50-metre-tall concrete building with a conical shape, designed by Chinese studio Open Architecture as a cultural venue that doubles as a giant sundial.

Located in Yantai, northeast China, Sun Tower contains exhibition spaces, a semi-outdoor theatre, a library, a viewing deck, a cafe and a bar within its sculptural form, which references lighthouse typologies.

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Kaktus Towers, Denmark, by BIG

Danish studio BIG designed a pair of distinctive residential high-rises in Copenhagen with rotated floor plates that form a spiky exterior.

The towers are linked by a raised public park and contain 495 apartments, some of which open onto balconies on the corners of the jagged facade.

Find out more about Kaktus Towers ›

Photo courtesy of Line+ Studio

Woven Gateway and Sky Ring, China, by Line+ Studio

Commissioned as part of the enhancement of the Chuan Yan Nineteen Peaks Scenic Area in Zhejiang, China, architecture practice Line+ Studiocreated a 20-metre-long woven timbertunnel and a doughnut-shaped balloon that floats above a field.

Intending to create a "public symbol" in the scenic area, the balloon is tethered over an outdoor gathering space and functions as a meteorological balloon.

Find out more about Woven Gateway and Sky Ring ›

Photo by Nick Kane

Auckland Tower, UK, by Niall McLaughlin Architects

UK studio Niall McLaughlin Architects added alarch entrance building and viewpoint to Auckland Castle, which forms the first port of call for visitors and leads them to a ticket hall.

Rather than close the tower off with solid walls, the studio left the timber structure open to mimic the form of medieval siege engines that were used as weapons to destroy fortifications.

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Dance of Light, China, by Aedas

Designed by architecture studio Aedas as a landmark in Chongqing’s business district, the Dance of Light office skyscraper has a dramatic twisting facade informed by the shape of the northern lights. The studio created two double-curved facades to give the 180-metre-tall tower its twisted appearance, which is clad in double-curved glass. Find out more about Dance of Light ›

Photo by Felix Gerlach

Observation Tower Kärven, Sweden, by White Arkitekter

Another twisting landmark is the Observation Tower Kärven, a 12-metre-tall hyperboloid structure with timber beams that enclose a spiral staircase and viewing platform overlooking a nature reserve.

It was developed using parametric modelling and calculation software by Swedish studio White Arkitekter, which aimed to create a structure with "a visually striking simplicity reminiscent of a bundle of twisted straws".

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Photo by Iwan Baan

One River North, USA, by MAD Architects

A curving canyon-like crack breaks open the main facade at the One River North apartment block in Denver, Colorado, by international studio MAD Architects.

The studio wanted to impose the image of rock formations onto the otherwise typical residential building, adding outdoor spaces on textured plaster terraces where the facade opens up.

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Photo by Sebastian van Damme

Çanakkale Antenna Tower, Turkey, by IND [Inter.National.Design] and Powerhouse Company

Dutch studios IND [Inter.National.Design] and Powerhouse Company clad a looping broadcasting and observation tower in Corten steel to contrast with the surrounding Turkish forest.

Forming a continuation of an existing forest path, the Çanakkale Antenna Tower has a tall multimedia and telecom broadcast antenna that slopes down into a looped building containing exhibition spaces, recreational facilities and an observation deck.

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Photo courtesy of Nuanu

Tri Hita Karana Tower, Indonesia, by Arthur Mamou-Mani

French architect Arthur Mamou-Mani used rattan and ironwood to construct the intricate, flowing form of this viewing tower on a beach in Bali, Indonesia.

The 30-metre-tall Tri Hita Karana Tower was designed to be a landmark for the Nuanu resort that could be disassembled, moved or adapted in the future, in an effort to protect the surrounding environment.

Find out more about Tri Hita Karana Tower ›

Photo courtesy of Inuce

Mountain Church of Julong, China, by Inuce

Perched at the foot of a mountain in Julong, this church steps up a sloped site with four granite-clad terraces that form the base for its sculptural main hall. It was designed by architecture studio Inuce to resemble a biblical ark resting on a rock.

Being Julong’s first permanent church, Inuce wanted to create an accessible and "religious landmark" for the town, incorporating a small library, study rooms and conference facilities in the lower level.

Find out more about Mountain Church of Julong ›