As the shard nears completion in london, here is the transcript of an interview conducted with architect renzo piano before work started. The shard is a 73story skyscraper in london, england, united kingdom. The shard was conceived in 2000 by renzo piano at the behest of. The inspiration for the design came from the railway lines next to the site near london bridge station, the london spires depicted by the 18th century venetian painter canaletto and the sailing ship masts. This project was a response to the urban vision of london mayor ken livingstone and to his policy of encouraging highdensity development at key transport. The lead architect and designer of the shard was renzo piano. Image 24 of 28 from gallery of the shard renzo piano building workshop. Sellar, to be built on the land occupied by southwark. Gallery of the shard renzo piano building workshop 24. The shard was designed in 2000 by architect renzo piano, he drew his initial design on the back of a napkin. The 1,016 ft high skyscraper will provide the mixed use density the city needs, as it incorporates apartments, office space, a spa. Renzo piano s firm, renzo piano building workshop rpbw, is one of the most complete in the world. The shard 10 most interesting facts a guide to london city.
Renzo piano the architectural genius behind the world renowned shard in london and his team at renzo piano building workshop, are busy working on a. Renzo piano has recalled of his first thoughts about the building that would become the shard, in central london. The solid floors are replaced by open grids and the shards stop at different levels. In london, renzo piano s socalled shardette to rise next to socalled shard by henry melcher.
The concrete core stops at level 72 and continues as a steel mast. The shard s archtect renzo piano designed the spirelike sculpture emerging from the river thames. See the fact file below for more information on the shard or alternatively, you can download our 23page the shard worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Italian architect renzo piano poses at his workshop in paris, france may 7, 2015. Renzo piano is an italian designer known as the hightech architect. He designed many famous landmarks including the pompidou centre, harvard art museums, and the shard.
Fundamental to piano s vision of the building was the idea of lightness and transparency. Renzo piano offers new bridge design for hometown genoa. To know more about this multiaward winning architect. Renzo piano s shard is quickly climbing up londons skyline.
At the peak of pianos spire a nod to the london steeples and. The shard, also referred to as the shard of glass, shard london bridge and formerly london bridge tower, is a 95storey supertall skyscraper, designed by the. The shard is the realisation of this vision, a 306m high, internationallyrecognised symbol figure 1. The construction of the shard also expands to the redevelopment and modernization of the surrounding transportation links london bridge station.
Along with a modern appearance, his buildings also pay homage to classical architecture. For all its height, the shard would be an elegant spire in contrast to the bulky highrises of the past. In london, renzo pianos socalled shardette to rise. Opening vents in the gaps or fractures between the shards, provide natural ventilation to winter gardens. The shard, renzo piano building workshop archsharing. The shard will be a sensor of london rowan moore the designer of the shard talks about his tower, his love for an old architectural flame and boatbuilding. It consists of concrete cores, composite floors, and steel structural members. Construction started in may 2009 and the external completion was marked in. Also known as the shard, the recently opened london bridge tower, designed by renzo piano, is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the area around london bridge station, one of londons key transport nodes, whose trains, busses and underground rail lines carry 200 thousand passengers a day. Quarter, irvine sellar and renzo piano set out a vision of a new, architecturallyoutstanding building designed to feature highquality commercial, residential and public spaces. The shard is a supertall skyscraper that has 95storeys. The spire the spire is the 60m tall pinnacle at top of the tower, containing the public viewing gallery. The shard tower has about 54,000 cubic metric tons.
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