How would you like to work here?
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I just learned that my God-daughter's partner, has been working in this building since January - after being head-hunted by one of the world's leading re-insurance firms.
It's known as "The Gherkin", is very eco-friendly and is one of the tallest buildings in London at 41 storeys.
Cool hey? Who wouldn't like to invite friends for drinks in the bar on the top floor?
It was designed by Foster + Partners who are famous for that stunning bridge in central France - the Millau Viaduct
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1158/Default.aspx
A very stylish website with truly magnificent shots of Foster + Partners' innovative designs and where these three photographs come from. Sir Norman Foster received the 1999 Pritzker Prize for Architecture - viewed by many as the Noble Prize for Architects.
(this thread was posted again by Kwistenbiebel on 23 jan. 08)
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Another view:
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And another:
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Pretty neat support system inside it too! All of the floor slabs are suspended from the exterior structure, which compresses the whole building because of the shape, pretty neat trick of architecture...
the same firm is putting a building up here in Calgary called the Bow, its supposed to be 59 storeys or some such
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They are going to start construction in a week or two, so here is the wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bow_%28Calgary%29
Should be a pretty neat looking building when its all said and done
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A couple of seasons ago the Gherkin (pickle?) was rather spectacularly blown up during an alien invasion...in a Doctor Who episode.
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I was most impressed with the Apollo Bridge in Bratislava. Beautiful simple lines.
cheers
john -
I agree John. Foster + Partners is a huge international architectural firm with very talented partners and staff. They were also the designers of the Millennium Bridge [pedestrian] across the Thames where they collaborated with Sir Anthony Caro, the noted British abstract sculptor - experiencing some initial difficulties.
The 2002 Pritzker Prize winner was Glenn Murcutt, an Australian [born in London] who designs highly economical, environmentally friendly, domestic buildings which 'touch the earth lightly'. He has a staff of one - himself and works on each project to produce 'forthright, totally honest, non-showy works of art'.
- a very different approach to Sir Norman Foster's.
Glenn Murcutt: Marika-Alderton House, Australia 1991-1994
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yes Bernard - I like his work. All his work has those clean lines.
I spent a lot of time with Ian McKay.
As you are in Brisbane spend a balmy day and drive down to the new Ivory Hotel in Tweed Heads. Excellent food and the design is very nice IMHO.
cheers
john -
I've not been inside but I see the Gherkin most weeks and I do love it. London is an eclectic place so nothing is out of place.
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@john sayers said:
yes Bernard - I like his work. All his work has those clean lines.
I spent a lot of time with Ian McKay.
As you are in Brisbane spend a balmy day and drive down to the new Ivory Hotel in Tweed Heads. Excellent food and the design is very nice IMHO.
cheers
johnJohn
Where was Phillip?
I try to avoid the 'delights' of our South Coast but when next I'm there I will check it out.
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Philip? not sure who you mean.
cheers
john -
Phillip Cox.
Ian worked with him in the '60s producing some award winning buildings:
C. B. Alexander Presbyterian Agricultural College. "Tocal". Paterson. N.S.W. (8 miles from Maitland) Ian Mackay & Philip Cox. 1964-65.
Reproduction rights owned by the State Library of Victoria
Accession Number: H91.244/3583-3641
Image Number: a22318 -
Wow John that is awesome... incredibly simple lines... and so fluid...
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Ah yes Bernard - was that the one that was nominated for a Sulman Award on friday, and the roof blew off on Saturday. It would have been Ian's third Sulman but it was not be.
I never met Philip, I knew Ian in the late 70's early 80s after that period. I lived on his block and helped build his house in Byron and later in Sydney.
cheers
john -
@john sayers said:
Ah yes Bernard - was that the one that was nominated for a Sulman Award on friday, and the roof blew off on Saturday. It would have been Ian's third Sulman but it was not be.
John - According to the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture's website it was awarded to them both in '63. You'll notice in some years no award was given - so his colleagues must have thought it alright with or without the roof.
. . . or is this Presbyterian Agricultural College a completely different one? I'm unfamiliar with NSW rural towns - Paterson? Leppington?
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Yes - I think you are probably right, I think I'm referring to a Boys school he designed later, not the ag colleges. I gather they rang him on Friday to tell him he'd won, the roof blew off on the weekend and he rang them on the Monday and said he could not accept the award.
cheers
john -
Is that jumping before you're pushed or am I being too harsh?
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- you could put it that way.
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