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
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.