30 St Mary Axe
Categories
Swiss Re
Time
2004
Locations
LondonCountries
United Arab Emirates
Reflecting Swiss Re's significant presence in the UK market, the company commissioned the construction of a new London headquarters on the site of the old Baltic Exchange building.
Designed by leading British architect Norman Foster, the 41-storey building was one of the first ecological skyscrapers, setting the benchmark for the latest generation of tall building.
The site at St Mary Axe had been derelict since the 1992 terrorist bomb attack of the Baltic Exchange building, which housed one of the world's leading shipping and cargo exchanges since1903. Although beyond restoration, much of the building was salvaged, including the beautiful stained glass memorial restored by the National Maritime Museum with the support of Swiss Re.
The Swiss Re Building, since renamed 30 St Mary Axe, was an immediate success when it was opened in 2004 by John Coomber. Affectionately known as "the Gherkin" – reflecting its bullet like shape – the iconic building broke new ground and became a popular addition to the London skyline.
The design of 30 St Mary Axe took several radical approaches, both technically and architecturally – the energy-saving design means that the building uses around half the power a similar tower would typically consume.
In 2004 the building was awarded the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize, and was voted the most admired new building by BD World Architecture.
Designed by leading British architect Norman Foster, the 41-storey building was one of the first ecological skyscrapers, setting the benchmark for the latest generation of tall building.
The site at St Mary Axe had been derelict since the 1992 terrorist bomb attack of the Baltic Exchange building, which housed one of the world's leading shipping and cargo exchanges since1903. Although beyond restoration, much of the building was salvaged, including the beautiful stained glass memorial restored by the National Maritime Museum with the support of Swiss Re.
The Swiss Re Building, since renamed 30 St Mary Axe, was an immediate success when it was opened in 2004 by John Coomber. Affectionately known as "the Gherkin" – reflecting its bullet like shape – the iconic building broke new ground and became a popular addition to the London skyline.
The design of 30 St Mary Axe took several radical approaches, both technically and architecturally – the energy-saving design means that the building uses around half the power a similar tower would typically consume.
In 2004 the building was awarded the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize, and was voted the most admired new building by BD World Architecture.
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Categories
Swiss Re
Time
2004
Locations
LondonCountries
United Kingdom
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