In November Spaces was on the road and exhibiting at two London Trade Shows. Luckily enough, these trips provided an opportunity to explore how the modern corporate skyscrapers blend into the historic heritage of the City.
The latest version of the Spaces app in hand made it even easier to discover these shapes quickly and easily also from angles that are hidden from the public. In this article we share some of this experience with you too.
30 St Mary Axe –better known as the Gherkin– probably is the city's most widely recognized example of contemporary architecture. It was opened in 2004, which makes it the oldest of the three skyscrapers listed in this post. Its distinctive form, which explores a series of progressive curves with the aid of parametric computer-modelling techniques was imagined by Foster + Partners architects and the Arup Group. The shape and geometry have affinities with forms that recur in nature.
We find the Willis Building at 51 Lime Street, right next to the iconic Lloyd's building. It was opened in 2008. The design of Norman Foster responds to the unique location with an elegant concave form while the expansive roof terraces offer broad views over the city.
20 Fenchurch Street, also called the Walkie-Talkie was opened in 2015, thus it is the newest building of this series. The highly distinctive top-heavy form and the curvature makes the building appear even taller than it really is. The space that has earned both praise and harsh criticism was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly.
