On the Luxurious Floors of The Gherkin Skyscraper in London
The actual name of this luxury skyscraper is 30 St Mary Ax and, in accordance with its previous owner, it is also known as the Swiss Re Tower. The British have been boasting about this architectural gem that has been welcomed with open arms since 2004. During the Open House event, which is also becoming popular in the Czech Republic, it is visited by thousands of people who want to look at it from the inside.
What is it like inside the skyscraper?
24 luxury lifts will take you to any of the 40 aboveground and to the one underground floor. The skyscraper also provides 272 parking spaces. Mostly there are the office spaces of financial companies.
Due to its shape the British Gherkin cannot have a green rest zone nor an observatory on the roof as is the case with other skyscrapers. On the 40th floor, however, you will find a luxurious bar for the staff with stunning panoramic views of London. The 39th floor features a top-quality restaurant and the 38th floor provides private dining rooms.
A luxurious energy-efficient building
Behind the design of this unique architecture is Sir Norman Foster (Norman + Partners studio), who you may know under the nickname “The Shakespeare of British Modern Architecture”.
It has a tapered shape and a diagonal structure. You will find naturally ventilated interiors there. Thanks to its robust aerodynamic form the building is very resistant to strong winds. It counteracts the movement of the wind, which usually would be perceived in a building of such a height.
The skyscraper was designed to be an energy-efficient building. The entire building makes use of an active ventilation façade. There are 6 shafts on each floor that create the effect of a double-layer glass. On hot days, the shaft drains excess heat and in winter the interior is heated by passive solar energy.
The exterior space, which has been perfectly integrated into the life of the metropolis, was also successfully solved. In summer the luxurious square is full of people; there is a food market there and also cultural and artistic events that illustrate the success of the entire project.
