The ONE Tower project in Moscow City has received two Platinum Awards at the 2026 International Architecture & Design Awards. This is an important signal for the future skyscraper: it has been noticed not only in Moscow but also on the international architectural scene. What’s particularly pleasing is that this year’s list of award-winning projects included many Russian designs—and this is no longer an isolated case but a clear trend.
This is not merely a matter of formal participation in the competition. In essence, the international jury has confirmed that ONE is a project perceived as a serious and striking architectural work of world-class caliber. For “Moscow City,” where every new tower is inevitably compared to existing landmarks, such recognition is particularly important.
ONE Tower: Not Just Another Skyscraper
The future ONE Tower, also known as “ONE,” is set to become one of the most prominent landmarks in Moscow City. Its design received platinum awards in two categories—High Rise & Skyscraper Architecture and Mixed-Use Development Design.
And this is entirely understandable. ONE is conceived not as a typical high-rise, but as a large multifunctional complex where various aspects of urban life converge: retail, restaurants, offices, residential spaces, and public areas. According to the architects’ vision, the lower and upper levels of the two towers merge into an expressive volume that resembles a smooth O-shape and evokes a Möbius strip.
The skyscraper will stand 379 meters tall, with completion scheduled for 2030. Inside, there will be retail and restaurant spaces, office floors, over a thousand apartments with panoramic views of Moscow, as well as a garden on the 85th floor. All of this makes ONE not just another tall tower, but a vertical urban space.
Who is behind the project
The project’s architects are Sergey Kuznetsov, Dmitry Sukhov, and the Gorproekt team. It was Sergey Kuznetsov who previously noted that the concept of “emo-tech”—emotional, vibrant, and constructive architecture—is becoming increasingly in demand worldwide.
Architecture that should not only function but also impress
The concept of “emo-tech” feels entirely appropriate here. In an era when many high-rise buildings are becoming too rational and indistinguishable from one another, projects like ONE aim to restore character to architecture. Not just function, not just square footage, but an image that sticks in the mind.
For “Moscow City,” this is by no means a new theme. The district was originally built as a territory of ambition, status, and visual expressiveness. But while the emphasis used to be on striking height and prestige, now the architectural concept itself is gaining increasing importance. In this sense, ONE looks like a project marking a new phase: complex, fluid, striking, and designed to attract international attention.
Why this news is important specifically for “Moscow City”
At first glance, it might seem like this is just another award and another certificate to add to the project’s collection. But in reality, it’s much more interesting. International awards serve as a kind of marker: they show which ideas are currently perceived as relevant, strong, and competitive on a global level.
For Moscow City, this means that the future ONE Tower is already transcending the scope of a local development project. It is viewed as part of the global architectural agenda. And for the business center itself, this is further confirmation of its status: City remains a place where truly ambitious high-rise projects emerge.
There were an unexpectedly large number of Russian projects in the awards—and that’s good news
The overall context of the 2026 International Architecture & Design Awards also deserves special attention. This year, there was an unusually high number of Russian projects among the winners and finalists, primarily from Moscow-based firms. And that is truly encouraging.
Against the backdrop of a complex international situation, the very fact of such representation already seems significant. Russian architecture has not disappeared from the global discourse, has not turned inward, but continues to participate in it—through specific works, ideas, and projects that have been completed or are in the pipeline.
What else did the jury note?
Among the Russian participants in various categories, the jury highlighted not only high-rise projects, but also:
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airports;
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schools;
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bridges;
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residential complexes;
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exhibition projects.
This is important because it demonstrates the breadth of the architectural school. Russia is not confined to a single narrow niche but is active in several areas—from infrastructure to residential and public architecture.
A bit about the award itself
The International Architecture & Design Awards are being held for the fifth time. In 2026, the shortlist included over 500 projects from 53 countries, and the entries were evaluated by an international jury from various countries, including China, the UK, Italy, the US, Portugal, and France.
In other words, this is not a local industry competition, but a fairly broad international platform where projects are evaluated within a larger professional context. Therefore, the platinum awards for ONE are not just a nice publicity stunt, but a truly significant achievement.
ONE Tower as a future symbol of a new era for the City
ONE has already had a complicated history. Initially, a different concept was considered for the site, but later the project was revised and then developed further. Now the tower looks like an attempt to reimagine the image of a high-rise building for modern Moscow.
Moscow City has long been lacking not just another tower, but specifically a powerful new architectural statement—a project that would be of interest not only to developers and future buyers, but also to a broader audience: those who follow how the city’s skyline is changing.
That is precisely why the story behind the award is significant. ONE has not yet been built, but it is already attracting attention as a project with a strong visual concept and serious international recognition.
The Bottom Line
ONE Tower’s victory at the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026 is good news in several ways. First, one of the most ambitious future skyscrapers in “Moscow City” has received recognition. Second, the award itself demonstrates that there are still many Russian projects on the international architectural scene, and that is truly gratifying to see. And third, the story of ONE serves as yet another reminder: “Moscow City” continues to develop not only as a business district but also as a platform for striking, talked-about, and competitive architecture.
