A Gherkin @ 30 St Mary’s Axe

Iconic is a word often used, yet that is what ‘The Gherkin’ truly is to London’s skyline.

This is one of those rare buildings that have an understated quality of design. Like a fractal, the overriding design is repeated the closer you look.

As seen from the cheese grater.
As seen from the cheese grater.
The Gherkin - 30 St. Mary Axe
Walkway around the base The Gherkin provides retail outlets serving the residents and local office workers. The design of this building makes it a ‘dream’ to photograph. In this image the glass is used to mirror pedestrians.

With a trained eye, new angles, abstract compositions and emotions reveal themselves as you explore and experience the spaces without and within. The internal spaces of the upper floors, determined by the external design, relieve the feeling of vertigo experienced in buildings of lesser height. All of which I find lead to a feeling of wellbeing, to occupants and visitors alike, without losing any of the spectacle and grandeur of the 360 degree views over the City of London and further afield.

Expansive views at the top.
Expansive views at the top.
Walkway shirts and circles the base.
Walkway shirts and circles the base.

With the opening of Las Vegas’s ‘High Roller’ (2014), the outline of the ‘London Eye’ is no longer unique to London, and the block-like structure of towers are commonplace to many city skylines. However, when view in context to its immediate neighbours, 30 St Mary Axe’s silhouette creates an unmistakable London landmark, seen from any angle or distance. The buildings is un-brash, yet more impressive the closer you get.

The Gherkin - 30 St. Mary Axe
An imposing shape amongst the block-like shapes of a city sky-line
Although the cheese-grater has a distinctive shape, that shape is not always evident viewed from any angle. As show here it can appear as block-like along with St Helens Tower (centre of image). 30 St Mary Axe is unmistakeable viewed from all angles regardless of lighting conditions.
Although the cheese-grater has a distinctive shape, that shape is not always evident viewed from any angle. As show here it can appear as block-like along with St Helens Tower (centre of image). 30 St Mary Axe is unmistakeable viewed from all angles regardless of lighting conditions.

With thanks to 30 St Mary Axe for photographic access.

Scroll Up
error: Content is protected by copyright law