The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe)
London, England · 2001-2003 · Not readily available
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchFully triangulated perimeter structure: Provides rigidity without extra reinforcements. - Natural ventilation system: Gaps in each floor create shafts for natural ventilation and a double glazing effect, reducing energy consumption. - Minimal curved glass: Despite its curved appearance, only one piece of curved glass is used (at the apex).
Key engineering challenges
Unique diagrid structure: Realizing the radical form with an efficient external diagrid system of intersecting steel sections. - Energy efficiency integration: Designing the building to use natural ventilation and passive solar heating through its unique form. - Site constraints: Building on the site of the former Baltic Exchange, which was damaged by a bomb.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Swiss Re (original main tenant)
- Lead contractor
- Skanska
- Lead designers
- Foster + Partners, Arup Group
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Height: 180 m (591 ft), 41 floors
- Disciplines
- Structural Engineering; Architecture; Environmental Engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- UK Building Regulations (implied)
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gherkin; https://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/the-gherkin/; https://group.skanska.com/projects/57248/30-St-Mary-Axe%2C-London