In Progress: The Shard / Renzo Piano

Sep 2010

By Karen Cilento — Filed under: Architecture News ,In Progress ,Skyscrapers , England, London, Renzo Piano, The Shard

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Flickr user © Nicnac1000

Renzo Piano’s Shard is quickly climbing up London’s skyline. The 1,016 ft high skyscraper will provide the mixed use density the city needs, as it incorporates apartments, office space, a spa, hotel and restaurants within its sleek pyramidal form. Inspired by perhaps a ship’s mast from the Pool of London, or a modern take on the church spire, the Shard will become a prominent fixture in the skyline as it nears it completion. Check out these images illustrating the Shard’s progress – the crisp aesthetic commonly found in Piano’s projects is becoming evident as the low-iron glazing is applied to the structure.

More images after the break.

Flickr user © Nicnac1000

Flickr user © Allhails

Be sure to view our coverage of the tower here. Images from Flickr users: Nicnac1000, Allhails,and Cybertect

Cite:
Cilento , Karen . "In Progress: The Shard / Renzo Piano" 13 Sep 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 26 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/77674>

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RP says:

Everything Piano does is amazing

# September 13, 2010 at 09:33

Pierced Brosnan says:

Have you seen St Giles Circus???

# September 14, 2010 at 05:57

Henry says:

I have been a skeptic of this Piano building since it was first proposed and at the time thought that its one potential saving grace could be the masterful detailing synonymous with Piano projects. That is why I am pleased to see the same lightness, transparency and rigor in the built curtain wall that was so exaggerated in the proposal.

There have been numerous criticisms of the Shard for its form, its height, its lack of context, its materiality… but there is much more to a skyscraper than its vertical component. To be a successful urban design the base of skyscrapers must be wholly integrated into the existing urban fabric with a level of detail and scale found in its surroundings. Commenting from the available renderings and personal experience with other Piano works this could very well become the endearing strong point for the design. Yet, until this aspect of the Shard is completed I will reserve final judgment and I hope London does the same.

# September 13, 2010 at 12:17

Jorgen says:

This looks really good!!

# September 13, 2010 at 12:58

robert says:

IMO this building has nothing to do with london…

# September 13, 2010 at 13:14

alex says:

The quality of the cladding is excellent, but the real icing on the cake will be the crown of the building.

I guess I speak for most Londoners when I say I’m very much look forward to going up to the observation floors once the shard’s complete. It’ll be the best vantage point in the city.

# September 13, 2010 at 13:52

Cara says:

I have to agree with Henry that the key to the success of this building is its integration into the urban context at the ground level. From some of the earlier renderings it appears that there is a 2 level entrance lobby that invites in visitors. The part that appears to be most successful about this entrance is the light shading that comes out over both levels. Rather than having the person on the sidewalk or street stare straight up, it almost protects them from the harsh height and angle of the building, and directs them to come inside. Of course if the viewer wanted to appreciate the height of the building, the shading appears to be fairly translucent.

# September 13, 2010 at 15:41

Allan says:

…and of course it wards off all the slipping rain water which would hit the pedestrians! (would be funny without it :) )

# December 27, 2010 at 15:06

ltd says:

From this section: http://www.archdaily.com/66089/londons-tallest-tower-renzo-piano/11-53/
it seems Piano has always put an emphasis on the urban condition and how the building meets the ground, the street and public. Whether that is successful, only time will time. But what is also interesting is the tower mimics those spaces further up the tower, breaking down the tower’s vertical dimension.

# September 13, 2010 at 16:29

pablo fernandez villaverde says:

Even if I think that the mixed use of the tower will be a nice activity node, I think this project is not enough related to its enviroment

# September 13, 2010 at 20:02

Matt C says:

This will be a beautiful masterpiece once completed. I can’t wait to see the final result. I feel this building will be different from other tall skyscrapers in that it will have a more delicate aura due to the precision Piano is known for — but the shards on top will balance that delicacy with its pointed accuracy.

# September 13, 2010 at 20:07

David McGowan says:

I also agree with Henry, the elegant detailing that is known through Piano’s work that can be seen in a couple of the photographs provided transforms the building into what i first thought, was just another excuse for London to add to its skyline. However, i now am really excited to see the progression and especially just how the materiality is used throughout the interior.

I still think the preliminary sketch is nothing short of a masterpiece though…
http://www.archdaily.com/66089/londons-tallest-tower-renzo-piano/11-53/

# September 13, 2010 at 21:26

adamk says:

Renzo Piano is the greatest living modernist architect today.

# September 14, 2010 at 01:28

Katsudon says:

I can’t stop staring at this curtain wall…
Seem the execution level is wonderful!

# September 14, 2010 at 02:02

Harry says:

ziggurat)

# September 14, 2010 at 05:33

joe says:

skyscrapercity.com has a good thread where photographers around london collect the latest construction updates of the building. The pictures here are much more up to date than the ones featured in this article:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=407549&page=636

# September 14, 2010 at 06:07

Brad Sutton says:

The main issue I have with this tower is that all the most interesting formal moves with the curtain wall are at the top, where they are all but invisible from the street. That being said, from what we see here and in the renderings, it looks like this will be a beautiful building.

# September 14, 2010 at 06:52

I agree with Brad that some of the more interesting moves are invisible from the street, however people on the street are not the only people viewing the building. I think the building will probably read better as a whole from a distance. It also seems that the view from one of the upper floors down would allow a person to see some of those interesting moves.

# September 14, 2010 at 10:04

nammitt says: