Swiss Re Building Case study by Chris Stevens 2009

Project Basics

City: London, UK
Address: 30 St. Mary Axe, London EC3
Year Completed: 2004
Cost: L138 000 000
Height : 180m / 591ft
Floors: 41
Archtiect: Fosters and Partners
Engineers: Ove Arup and Partners
Category: Office Building
Alias: The Gherkin
Materials: Steel/Glass http://arts.guardian.co.uk/greatbuildings/
Awards: 2004 RIBA Stirling Prize interactive/0,,2184617,00.html
2004 Special Steel Award
2004 RIBA The London Region Award
2003 Future Projects Award
2003 Emporis Skyscraper Award
2003 Best British Innovation

Background and Context

The site was originally occupied by the Baltic Exchange, which was bombed on April 10,
1992 by a truck holding 100 punds of Semtex wrapped in a ton of fertilizer. One year later
the same location was bombed again by the same organization.
Site taken from Google Earth
Background and Context cont.

Some people wanted to restore the old building, but instead they decided on a new com-
mercial building. Interestingly enough, the remains of the Exchange building were pur
chased and shipped to Tallinn, Estonia with plans of being reconstructed there.

Construction of the “Gherkin” began in 2001 and was completed December 2003. It opened
in April 2004. http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/

It was programmed to be primarily an office building to several different organizations and

buisnesses. The top levels are dedicated to private dinning, with the upper most having a
circular lounge bar which includes a 360 degree unobstructed view over London.

Despite the curved form, the only curved glass is the lens on top. The exterior A-shaped
steel modules form a rigid frame for the structure, allowing for column free interior
http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/

Floor Plan
http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0504/design_1-2.html

The building also includes high-speed lifts that can take up to 378 people at a time (6 metres
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/greatbuildings/
per sec). interactive/0,,2184617,00.html
Design Strategies

One of first progressive, commercial high-rise buildings

Envelope
-conical shape reduces wind turbulence and creates wind pressure to assist natural ventilation
-double-glazed ventilated skin for insulation and passive solar heating
-blinds within double skin to stop solar gain before entering offices (heat is reused as needed)
-organic form provides abundant natural light in the interior
-glass windows open (even up high)
-safe and efficient access to all cleanable surfaces

Natural Daylight/Ventilation
-shafts between each floor for ventilation
-lightwells for light penetration and ventilation
-light level and motion sensors

Wind diagrams

All images from: http://www.aviewoncities.com/buildings/london/swissrebuilding.htm

Design Strategies cont.

Systems
-primary fuel is gas
-low energy fixtures were installed everywhere possible
-utilizes a de-centralized HVAC for floor-by-floor needs

Transportation
-public transport surround site
-bike spaces within basement (three times the standard)

Performance

-said to use a third of the energy than similar sized towers.

-no need for mechanical cooling and ventilation for 40% of year due to design.

http://www.aviewoncities.com/buildings/
london/swissrebuilding.htm

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/greatbuildings/interactive/0,,2184617,00.html http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/
How to get there...

Arrive by: Student Housing (A): The Gherkin (B):

Car = 2.9 miles, 12 min. Passfield Hall Swiss Re Building
Walking = 2.5 miles, 53 min. 1-7 Endsleigh Place 30 St. Mary Axe
Walking + Tube = 31 min. London, WC1H 0PW London EC3
References

30 St Mary Axe - The Gherkin. 02 Apr. 2009 <http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/index.htm>.

“ArchitectureWeek - Design - Swiss Re Tower by Foster and Partners - 2005.0504.” ArchitectureWeek - 2009.0401. 06 Apr. 2009
<http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0504/design_1-1.html>.

Culture|guardian.co.uk. 02 Apr. 2009 <http://arts.guardian.co.uk/greatbuildings/interactive/0,,2184617,00.html>.

“Swiss Re Building, London.” A View On Cities. 02 Apr. 2009 <http://www.aviewoncities.com/buildings/london/swissrebuilding.

htm>.

http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/