Tour Signals Final Five

Another design competition is underway, this time however it isn't for a space in Dubai but instead in France.

The competition is to design a new tower called Tour Signal which will be located on a site in La Defense in Paris... somewhere. So far a definite site hasn't been named although the towers do appear to have their own individual locations. Dozens of world renowned architects submitted plans but these have now been whittled down to a final five.

First up we have the tallest of the skyscrapers to be in the running, designed by French architect Jacques Ferrier it would stand at 310 metres. Sat in a tree lined plaza the tower would essentially be a large 'H', in places the glass facades are angled which gives the tower a modern look and about a quarter of the way up the towers are joined by a horizontal space which will add extra room for offices, apartments or shops.

Near the top of the structure two sky bridges span the gap between offering not only a handy walkway but also some spectacular views of the surrounding area. It's a deliberately ambitious design aimed at being the tallest residential building in Western Europe by the Russian developer, Hermitage.

Next we have an entry from Brit firm Foster and Partners, who's design uses a simple shape but enlivens the project with its distinctive façade. Standing at 297 metres the tower is a simple cylinder, is striking copper coloured façade wraps around the tower and features Foster's famous diagrid pattern which is highlighted by an almost clear section of façade snaking its way around and up the tower.

Hot on Fosters heels comes Libeskind with his 255 metre tall, jagged and geometrical tower. Starting from a triangular appearing podium the tower works its way skyward with angled almost diamond cut glass facades.

Approximately half way up a triangular growth seems to attach itself to the design, the ways the tower is angled almost makes it look like it is trying to take a step back and see what the hell has got stuck to it. It continues upwards to a pointed peak with a touch of the planned Generali tower about it.

Our fourth entrant is Wilmotte with a 284 metre offering. This tower consists of three blades, the central one appearing almost straight whilst the remaining two fan away from it. Not to detract from its form or perhaps just resisting the urge to go completely over the top the facades are neutral using glass along with concrete. Near the top of the tower it appears the blades are linked with a sky bridge.

And finally we end with Nouvel's design which is possibly the laziest of all of the designs. The astute may notice that it looks suspiciously like the Tour Phare design that was submitted and not chosen in another competition, there's a reason for that...it's because it is the same design.

Not one to be put of by rejection Nouvel has opted to submit a design everyone has seen and rejected, what thinking lies behind this is anyone's guess but it's far from certain it will suddenly be loved a second time round.