Five of London’s Most Impressive Modern Architectural Structures
If you are planning on visiting one of the world’s most bustling, vibrant and historic cities, then you should definitely consider making time to see some of these masterpieces. London is famed for having stunning architecture and historical sites like The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St Pauls Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and The British Museum. But, it also has a myriad of modern architecture - a symbol for its success and prosperity.
As a leading chartered surveying company in London and Watford, we are passionate about architecture and modern developments, which is why we have compiled a list of five of London’s most impressive modern architectures for you to gape at.
We can’t
dedicate a whole blog post to London’s contemporary architecture and design
without mentioning The Shard. A luxurious hotel, restaurant, bar and retail
arcade, and winner of the RIBA prize in 2014, the Shard has dominated London’s
skyline since 2013 with its characterful angular pointed spire. In fact, it is
the tallest building in the UK, and the fourth largest building in Europe.
Like the Shard, the Gherkin is one of London’s most eye-catching architectural masterpieces. Created by Norman Foster, he was inspired by an actual gherkin, resulting in a futuristic cylindrical shape that seems to defy classic architectural structures. A prestigious office building, it is home to dynamic businesses and plenty of eateries and bars.
A homage to modern and contemporary art, it only seems appropriate that the Serpentine Gallery structure reflects its exhibitions and purpose. Though it has a typically refined Palladian-style structure, each year the gallery commissions a leading architect to design its summer pavilion, resulting in some unique, unusual and unconventional creations that are the perfect compliment to its traditional structure.
20 Fenchurch Street - ‘Walkie Talkie’
Situated in London’s bustling financial district, 20 Fenchurch street has a distinct shape earning it the colloquial nickname of ‘The Walkie Talkie’. Its main appeal is the stunning sky pod at the top of the building, housing an incredible oasis of plants where you can dine and gaze over London’s cityscape.
Created for the 2012 Olympics, the famous Velodrome is both elegant and understated, yet provides a stunning visual impact. A winner of multiple design awards, it’s intention was not only to house the world’s greatest sporting event, but also to impress every viewer. Its gentle curves are a mastery of engineering, and the perfect fiery golden sheen is emitted from its exterior when the sunlight hits - a great building to admire at sunset.
Here at Simon Levy, our team of expert chartered surveyors are adept at dealing with a variety of construction matters, from party wall disputes to restoring heritage buildings. To find out more about our services, or if you have any queries, simply contact us today.
