What materials is the Gherkin made of?

The Gherkin building is constructed from more than 35km (21 miles) of steel, weighing a total of 10,000 tonnes.

What is 30 St Mary Axe called?

30 St Mary Axe (previously known as the Swiss Re Building and informally known as the Gherkin) is a commercial skyscraper in London’s primary financial district, the City of London. It was completed in December 2003 and opened in April 2004.

Why is it called the Gherkin?

OVERVIEW. One of the most recognizable parts of London’s skyline, The Gherkin captured world attention when it opened in the early 2000s. Officially named 30 St. Mary Axe, the building has become known by its more popular moniker, “The Gherkin” because of its supposed resemblance to that particular food.

Who built the 30 St Mary AXE?

Norman Foster
Ken Shuttleworth
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)/Architects
Since its completion in December 2003, it has become one of the UK’s most distinctive buildings and a symbol of 21st century London. The building was designed by the architect Norman Foster and Arup Group and was constructed by Skanska.

Why is the Gherkin famous?

Today, the Gherkin is primarily an office building. It is the headquarters of many large companies including Swiss Re and some of the offices of Sky News. Some very popular television shows and radio shows are filmed here or near this building today.

Why is 30 St Mary AXE called the Gherkin?

Is gherkin a German word?

Most etymologies would derive gherkin from the Dutch ‘gurken’ (the plural of ‘Gurk’), which was borrowed in turn from the German ‘Gurke’. …

What kind of building is 30 St Mary Axe?

The building has roots in a radical, technical, architectural, social and spatial approach. Generated by a radial plan, its energy-conscious enclosure resolves walls and roof with a continuous triangular skin, allowing very spacious floor columns, lights and views.

Why is 30 St Mary Axe called the Gherkin?

INTRODUCTION• 30 St Mary Axe, better known as the Gherkin because is floor plan resembled asliced pickle.•Flexible and environmentally sound office space in London.• London’s first ecological green tall building.•

Where did the idea of St Mary Axe come from?

The reaction to the project did not come from royalty, nor did it come from the political field or from the English urban authorities. It was the religious institutions that cried in the sky for this atypical form that interrupted the visit of the Anglican Cathedral of Saint Paul, designed by Sir Christopher Wren 300 years ago.