ICONE Tower, Manila
In September 2017, Henning Larsen Architects won an international competition for their design for a new landmark skyscraper in Manila, in the Philippines.
Designed in collaboration with landscape architects SLA and BuroHappold Engineering, the Shard-like tower rises as a dramatic spire from a large public plaza, and is intended to become a new icon on the Manila skyline, as well as reinforcing the sense of evolution in terms of traditional Filipino architecture.
ICONE Tower will be located within the Bonifacio Global City business district and will be 308 m tall.
The complex will have greenery integrated in all areas, including green terraces and atriums, and a dense canopy of tall trees in the plaza which are intended to provide shade for events.
According to the architects:
“The tower is designed to set an example for how tall buildings should give back to cities and its people and how to revitalise an entire area.
“This building represents a milestone for Manila and the Philippines. We aimed to make it a truly Filipino building by understanding and integrating elements of Filipino nature, culture and climate.”
Illustrations: Henning Larsen
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.