The Hidden Danger Lurking in London’s Building Boom
The Gherkin
Located in London’s primary financial district, 30 St Mary Axe (more commonly known as “The Gherkin”) is a 41-story skyscraper. It was designed by the architect Norman Foster and built for the reinsurance company Swiss Re. The Gherkin was completed in 2004 and stands at 180 meters tall. The building was nicknamed “The Gherkin” for its easily recognizable pickle-esque curved shape. This unique design allows for increased public space and reduces swirling wind.
The Gherkin has become a symbol of modernity and a significant part of the City’s skyline. It is also known for its distinctive curved form, energy efficiency, and a host of restaurants and bars. Its iconic design has won the Gherkin many awards, including the Stirling Prize and the London Region Award. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and is often featured on television shows and in movies.
One of the reasons The Gherkin is so unique is that it was designed to be a green building. Its slender glass form is designed to let in more natural light and reduce energy consumption. The Gherkin also has sensors that keep the lights on only when needed. The building also uses air flow to regulate temperature. The Gherkin is a great example of the use of technology to create sustainable buildings.
In addition to its environmental features, the Gherkin is also a monument to innovation in architecture. Its unique design is inspired by Venus’ flower basket sponge, a type of glass sponge that survives at deep depths due to its lattice-like exoskeleton and round body that disperses the forces of strong currents. The Gherkin’s round structure and spicule-like exoskeleton were also used as inspiration for the London Eye, another iconic landmark of the city.
Although the Gherkin is a remarkable piece of architecture, it is not without its problems. The original plans for the tower were halted because of fears that it would interfere with air traffic from Heathrow and the sight-lines of St Paul’s Dome from certain parts of the city. The new design was scaled down to reflect these concerns and the building was completed in 2004.
The Millennium Tower
The Millennium Tower is a skyscraper that stands in the heart of the city. It is a high-rise that is comprised of apartments, offices, and restaurants. It was designed by Glenn Rescalvo of Handel Architects. The building has a total of 92 floors. It also has a public observation platform that is 1,000 ft above ground level.
The observation platform is one of the best places to see London from a different angle. It offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding countryside. It is a great place to take pictures and selfies. The building is also home to many offices, including Google and Facebook. The complex also has a restaurant and bar called the International Smoke.
Although there are many benefits to living in The Millennium Tower, the building has some issues that residents need to be aware of. The building has shifted and tilted since its opening in 2009. Its foundation is supported by piles that are sunk 60 to 90 feet (18 to 28 meters) deep into clay and mud. The piles do not reach bedrock. The building has sunk 18 inches (43 centimeters) and tilted 14 inches (36 centimeters) to the west since it opened in April 2009.
Despite these problems, the building remains occupied. It is important to note that these problems do not affect the safety of the residents. However, the Millennium Tower’s movement can cause problems with the plumbing and elevator systems. The city’s Department of Building Inspections has approved a plan to stabilize the building.
The city’s engineers are working to design a system that will prevent future settlement and tilting. They are using new technology to monitor the behavior of the piles. This system will provide important information about the piles’ response to construction activities. The Millennium Tower’s movements have been caused by stress increases in the overconsolidated marine clay layer. The stresses have been caused by dewatering and construction activity near the site.
Many people believe that the city’s boom is unsustainable. They are concerned that the city’s infrastructure will not be able to handle the strain. They are also worried that the construction boom will lead to a housing crisis, or you can contact the Blackacre team.
Westminster Station
For most people who visit London, Westminster Underground station is just a place where they get on and off the Tube to go somewhere else. However, few know that there is a secret passage in the station that allows MPs to escape the rabble of protestors and selfie sticks when they need to go into Parliament.
The passage is easily missed unless you know where to look, and only those with access to Parliamentary passes can use it. To find it, you have to go past the ticket barriers and turn left before the stairs up to Parliament Square. Once you reach the end of the passage, there is a door that can only be opened by someone with a Parliamentary pass. You can see a video of it being used by social media influencer Bowl of Chalk on his Instagram page.
It was created in 1939 when the REC were worried that their existing Westminster HQ, a sizeable building close to Parliament wouldn’t survive a bomb attack from above during the Blitz. They negotiated a lease from London Transport to convert some of the underground tunnels into their new headquarters and re-purposed them as offices, meeting rooms, toilets, dormitories, and even a telephone exchange. Churchill, for example, would stay in the tunnels when he was at Down Street, where he could be safe from aerial bombs.
In fact, a few of the original tunnels are still used today, with one being reserved for MPs and civil servants who need to go into Parliament quickly. The passage is also known as ‘the snaking pig’ as it snakes around the escalators to make it easier for politicians to avoid the throngs of tourists and protestors when they need to get to work.
With 84 skyscrapers being built across London, the city is going through a massive building boom. But the rise of the skyscrapers is not without its dangers. With pickpocketing, anti-social behaviour, and violent and sexual offences on the rise on London’s Tube network, it’s important to be vigilant when travelling in the capital. Using crime data, digital PR agency Digital PR Lab has revealed which Tube stations are the most dangerous for commuters. By comparing crime figures with journey numbers at each station, they have determined which Jubilee line stations are most hazardous.
Big Ben
When most people think of London, England, they envision a majestic clock tower with a massive bell that goes by the name of Big Ben. This beautiful landmark has become an emblem of Britain and is a major focal point for the city’s New Year’s celebrations. It’s also a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Zack from Greenwood, South Carolina. He wants to know how Big Ben got its nickname.
A neo-gothic marvel of engineering, the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster is one of the most famous structures in the world. The mighty chimes of Big Ben can be heard for miles around and have kept Londoners punctual for 160 years. But there is much more to this iconic landmark than meets the eye.
In fact, the story of this remarkable horological masterpiece is a fascinating and epic tale of history, politics, and engineering. Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have called the Palace of Westminster home, and the clock has been a part of these historic proceedings for centuries.
The story of this magnificent structure begins in 1834, when Parliament decided to rebuild the Houses of Parliament following two devastating fires that had ravaged the building in previous centuries. Architect Charles Barry was awarded the commission to design the new buildings and a tower that would include a massive clock.
Construction of the tower and clock began in 1844, and Big Ben rang for the first time on May 31, 1859. The mighty bell cracked soon after, but was repaired with a lighter hammer that made it sound slightly different. The clock is wound three times a week, and its accuracy is maintained by adding pennies that were made before the switch to decimal currency to the pendulum’s weight.
The clock tower is a beloved symbol of British culture and is seen in movies and television shows all over the world. It has appeared in many Disney films including Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, The Parent Trap, A Christmas Carol, and Mary Poppins Returns. It has also served as a backdrop for other blockbuster films like The Day the Earth Stood Still, 28 Days Later, and V for Vendetta.
