# Mask-Inspired Supertall Skyscrapers 'La Tour F' is Poised to Rise As Africa’s Tallest Building By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2026-05-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supertall-skyscraper-abidjan References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/architecture/la-tour-f-abidjan-africa-tallest-tower/) & [pfoafrica](https://pfoafrica.com/projets/la-tour-f/) ‘La Tour F’ is a 76-story supertall skyscraper currently nearing completion in the administrative district of Abidjan, the capital city of Cote d'Ivoire in west Africa. With a height of 421 meters when including its spire, this supertall skyscraper is built around a reinforced concrete core and uses a [double-layer glass façade](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muraba-veil-skyscraper) that provides shading and weather protection while shaping its distinctive exterior. A defining aspect is its [symmetrical, faceted form](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-miami), which takes inspiration from the design of a traditional mask. In terms of use, the supertall skyscraper is designed primarily for government offices, along with conference areas, restaurants and public spaces. The building also includes a glass-enclosed observation space at the top, accessible by a panoramic elevator. This project reflects a broader move toward vertical development in dense city centers, with large-scale towers bringing multiple services into a single structure while reshaping the city skyline. Image Credit: PFO Africa ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 77% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Mask-inspired Architectural Forms:** The integration of cultural motifs into faceted, protective exteriors points to buildings that marry symbolic identity with structural expression and climate responsiveness. - **Vertical Civic Hubs:** The concentration of government offices, public spaces and commercial functions within a single supertall tower indicates a move toward multilayered civic ecosystems that redefine urban service delivery and land use. - **Double-layer Façade Climate Control:** The adoption of double-skin glass envelopes combined with shading strategies suggests façade systems capable of significantly lowering energy consumption while permitting expansive glazed surfaces. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Supertall Construction Engineering:** Advances in reinforced concrete cores and high-rise structural systems imply opportunities for novel construction methodologies that shorten timelines and manage wind and seismic loads more efficiently. - **Urban Planning and Civic Services:** The shift toward centralized vertical government hubs signifies potential for reimagined service delivery models and governance frameworks adapted to dense, high-rise contexts. - **Advanced Façade and Glazing Manufacturing:** Demand for climate-adaptive, double-layer glazing and complex faceted panels points to scalable manufacturing solutions and integrated systems that couple aesthetics with thermal performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mixed-Use Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inaura.md) - [Sea Sponge Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/595-west-georgia.md) - [Tallest Australian Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-park-lane.md) - [Art Deco Horological Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hm11-art-deco.md) - [Future Urban Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/astra-skyscraper.md) - [Thrill Ride-Topped Ultra-High Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-torch.md) - [Second-Stage NYC Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2-world-trade-center-by-foster-partners.md) - [Climate-Responsive Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Climate-responsive-skyscrapers.md) - [Multilevel Garden Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sobha-skyparks.md)