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Public Life

In deference to street life, the architects tapered the tower at its base to improve connections to the surrounding streets and allow the maximum amount of sunlight to reach the plaza level. The circular plan enables much of the site's ground level to be used as a landscaped public plaza, with mature trees and low stone walls that effectively mark the site boundary and provide seating.

Yet, to call the space "public" is a misnomer. The tightly squeezed plaza is uninviting. A meeting point possibly but never a relaxing area, not a place to meander, and a place where, currently at least, bicycles are not allowed.

Swiss Re occupies eight office floors half way up the building; the remaining floors are being leased to allow for the company's future needs. Tenants have the option of leasing space in increments of two or six floors. The typical office floor is divided into six rectangular spaces, alternating with triangular service areas.

The answer as to where to dine within the city is answered at the building's top floors. A restaurant at level 39, and a bar at level 40, under the building's crown, offer a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view.

Foster and Partners' aim had been to create an "environmentally responsible building with natural economy of form and a detailed understanding of the urban context in which it is placed." The result is a building that is radical "socially, technically, architecturally and spatially." The Stirling Prize judges were unanimous in their award decision. They said in their citation: "The client wanted a landmark building and they have certainly got one."

The Swiss Re's London Headquarters is a symbol, not only for one of the world's leading reinsurance companies, but also for the City of London. The tower's uniqueness is reflected in the fact that there is little chance of a duplicate being built.

Looking from Jack Straw's Castle, the highest point in London, over Hampstead Heath towards the city, the building has already settled into its surrounds. There now seems to be a general public recognition and acceptance of something unprecedented in the London skyline.

Don Barker is a freelance writer and photographer in London, who has lived and worked in Europe, Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is a contributing editor to ArchitectureWeek and writes for several periodicals in the United Kingdom.

Architect: Foster and Partners
Planning consultant: Montagu Evans
Project management: RWG Associates
Geotechnical engineering: Arup Associates
Structural engineering: Arup
Wind surveyor: Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc.
MEP engineering: Hilson Moran Partnership Ltd
Interior designer: Benett Interior Design
Lighting consultant: Speirs and Major Associates
Acoustics consultant: Sandy Brown Associates LLP
Consultancy: Space Syntax Limited
Elevator consultant: Van Deusen & Associates
Facade consultant: Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG
Security system consultant: Videf Security Management Ltd
Landscape: Derek Lovejoy Partnership
Contractor: Skanska UK
Steel supplier: Hollandia BV and Victor Buyck Steel Construction NV
Facade supplier: Schmidlin (UK) Ltd.
Elevator supplier: KONE United Kingdom
Lighting installation: Sill Lighting UK
Facade maintenance system supplier: Lalesse Gevelliften BV and B. Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH
Real-estate agent: DTZ Debenham Tie Leung

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Architect's sketch of London's distinctive new Swiss Re Tower, at 30 St. Mary Axe, designed by Foster and Partners. Image: Foster and Partners Considerations of sun and nature were integral to early design ideas. Image: Foster and Partners Early facade sketch. Image: Foster and Partners Sun-protected, double-skinned, glazed facade. Image: Foster and Partners Facade sketch. Image: Foster and Partners Sixth floor, Swiss Re Tower. Image: Foster and Partners 21st floor. Image: Foster and Partners 33rd floor. Image: Foster and Partners 39th floor. Image: Foster and Partners 40th floor. Image: Foster and Partners   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.