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Docklands with an Architect or Historian

We offer a London unknown to the average visitor. London has given its architects an almost free hand to express their talent. As architects are not afraid to transfer their ideas in their purest state, the result is an extroverted and extraordinary blending of historic and modern buildings.

Gherkin: Only visible from outside, once a year open inside with long waiting list. Fully booked for 2006. 30 St Mary Axe, affectionately known as the 'Gherkin', is a landmark curvilinear 40-storey office building in the heart of London's financial centre and is unlike any other ever conceived. With distinctive tapering form that minimises its footprint and effect on the London skyline and eco-friendly glazed skin with lightwells, the building also has a glazed dome at the top with spectacular 360-degree views across the city. RIBA Stirling Prize Winner 2004. Architect Foster and Partners.

Facts:

  • Gherkin is not open to the pubblic
  • 590 feet tall
  • divided opinion on it's fallic
  • symbolism
  • Architect: Sir Norman Foster

Lloyds Building: An established architectural breakthrough of outstanding daring modern design.

Facts:

  • Famous for its inside out design
  • With all the buildings guts on show
  • Allowing for a huge internal space
  • Groundbreaking new concept in Architecture
  • Home of one of the oldest businesses in London
  • Set up around the 17th century in a coffee house

Canada Square: new developments in this futuristic part of London

Contemporary London

Facts:

  • A Progect by: Adrian D. Smith, FAIA, RIBA Design.
  • Partner of: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP
  • The central part of the building is heavily indented and the unusual finishing around its crown "pagoda", makes this design unique in the area surrounding the building.
  • The archiitectural futuristc sense reaches maximum heights with the revolving UFO nearby.

Minster Court: A new neo-gothic style building in the city.

Facts:

  • Specially commissioned as an International market building
  • For the world's leading insurance and reinsurance companies

  • Its interior was designed by experts who specialize in predicting the dynamics of people flow in buildings

Greater London Authority Mayors office: Southbank building houses Ken Livingstone's London authority.

Facts:

  • Finished in 2003
  • Caused controversy over impractical internal design.
  • Beautiful exterior indulgence
  • Architect: Sir Norman Foster

Canary Wharf: The new stations and area around Canary Wharf are very architecturally impressive and contemporary.

Facts:

  • Slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower
  • Expanding commercial business use this area of London
  • Viewing platform not accessible
  • Close to public
  • New Jubilee line only opened fully early 2003

London Eye & Hungerford Bridge: Southbank tourist attraction -viewing pods over London, architecture prize nominated Hungerford bridge.

Facts:

  • London Eye is London's most popular tourist attraction
  • Hungerford bridge is a railway bridge with 2 additional suspension foot bridges
  • Completed in 2003