Mankind has always strived to build tall buildings – thinly veiled monuments to the power of a certain establishment, or as a statement of intent for wannabe megalomaniacs. These days conscientious architectural designers sometimes look to justify excessive glass, steel and concrete erections by sheathing them in utopian or socialist agendas laid down by numerous modern “visionaries” such as Le Corbusier in his five points of architecture.
Renzo Piano’s Shard at London Bridge is a good example of this ethical wallpapering, as the architect himself talks about the “tower as a vertical city, for thousands of people to work in and enjoy, and for millions to take to their heart.” The project website also claims that, “the concept for the Shard was to create more than a tower…a mixed use building that combines public and private spaces in one energetic community”.
While there can be no denying that this definition of a vertical city sounds exciting, I’m not sure the eventual reality will live up to this lofty billing. The skyscraper, when finished, will be comprised of an elitist 5-star hotel, expensive apartments and prime office space that will doubtless result in a private club for corporate exclusives — not a thriving set of districts in the sky for Londoners to use indiscriminately.
I guess it’s unrealistic to expect one building to genuinely cater for all, but the phrase “vertical city” and its apparent definition is misleading as the proposed mix of accommodation definitely seems more akin to a gated community than an open urban environment. It is also worth noting that there will be no crossover between primary tower-user and general public on the observation decks that occupy the smaller spaces at the top of the building or retail spaces at its base.
It is also probably very unfair to judge the appearance of the building before it is finished. However having walked beside it on a typically grey London day, with its equally grey-coloured cladding, it didn’t exactly set my pulse racing. Having said that there is a bit of magic to be found in the crystalline form as it possesses an interesting dual character. When seen from afar it manages to make a fairly original attention-grabbing statement — signalling the location of the station and surrounding development, however when looking up at it from street level the facade slopes away from view resulting in a very tall building with a much less intimidating presence than other more rectilinear towers.
Hopefully the planned public space around the foot of the tower and station entrance will benefit from this and become a vibrant and desirable attraction for the people passing by to use in a positive manner.
Tall buildings obviously have a place in our cities as maximum density vessels for business positioned around bustling transport nodes, but not it seems as all inclusive mixed-use communities elevated high above the ground.
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