30 St. Mary Axe, London, England

Finally, a British skyscraper worth looking at.Height: 180 meters

Cost to build: US$212 million

Completion date: 2003

Fast fact: Despite its curvaceous body, the entire building only has one piece of curved glass in its construction, and that is the lens at the top of the building.
“It’s extremely creative, and has had an enormous impact on the London skyline, particularly concerning its sculptural shape.” -- A. Eugene Kohn.

Some say it’s in an egg shape; others call it the London Bullet Building or the Cucumber Building.

In any event, the Gherkin broke London’s tradition of building boring skyscrapers. 

Officially named 30 St. Mary Axe, the harlequin-patterned building bulges out slightly from its base to reach a maximum height of 180 meters. It stands at the center of London’s financial district.

Together with its energy-efficient designs, its aerodynamic shape also minimizes wind loads and doesn’t deflect wind to the ground, improving wind conditions in the vicinity, winning London pedestrians' hearts. 

Overall structure

The building’s unique form is a response to the constraints of its site. Its shape appears less bulky than a rectangular block, creating public space at street level. It also offers minimal resistance to wind, improving the environment for people on the ground and reducing the load on the building.