Shard London Bridge by Alessandro is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
The Shard is currently the tallest building in the United Kingdom and its creation sparked controversy. Designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the staggering 1,016-foot high tower is visible from many parts of the city. Essentially it’s a glass pyramid rising around a concrete cylinder. A building like this is only possible in modern day.
Given its name by critics, several established London architects expressed their concern that it would ruin the character of the city. This outcry could have been inspired by the burst of tower construction in London at the time. Their concern is perhaps a valid one. In a city that is home to buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, The Shard can seem out of place.
Piano’s design goal was to create something elegant and not overbearing. Low iron glass was used which creates a crystalline appearance. The Shard takes on a different color depending on the time of day and angle from which it’s viewed.
The very top ends in several spires instead of forming a single abrupt spike. This seemingly small detail also speaks to Piano’s virtuosity as an architect.
As in many other cities which are home to historic buildings, the challenge is the same. How to blend old with new, tradition with function? It will be interesting to see what the future holds as the city continues to evolve. The Cheese Grater, Gherkin, Inside-Out Building, and Walkie Talkie are other great examples of the unique architecture London has to offer.
