I’m an old-fashioned gal. I don’t appreciate much modern art (sorry, but I just don’t understand it) nor do I like modern ugly apartment buildings. I think that castles and palaces of bygone eras showed more our engineering and artistic abilities than any modern-day skyscrapers. I might be wrong but who would say that some modern-day church is more beautiful than St.Peter’s basilica in Vatican? (apologies to all architects out there, this is simply my ignorant opinion). I appreciate Art Nouveau style and Art Deco and that’s as modern as I get.
But there are a few contemporary architecture gems that I really like. What a surprise one of them is in London. Of course, it’s the Gherkin. That’s just its informal name by which it’s widely known but its actual name is the name of the street where it is: 30 St Mary Axe. It’s in the financial heart of London known as the City Of London. It was opened in 2004 and it’s 180m tall. It’s not the tallest building in London but it’s definitely one of the most interesting ones. During my first visit to London back in 2006 my BFF and me wandered around the City of London because we wanted to see the famous Llyod’s building. It’s really fascinating but in the end I liked better the Gherkin:)
What can I say? The Romans would say: De gustibus non disputandum est or in English In matters of taste, there can be no disputes or more known as There is no accounting for taste (that’s just me showing off my Latin language knowledge). One of the reasons I love London so much is this mix of the old and the new. So, after all I might not be as traditional or old-fashioned as I believe I am. But maybe London is just an exception to the rule 🙂
What’s your favourite modern building in London or in the world?
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the Red Phone Box travels 
I like the juxtaposition of the old next to the new. Is the Gherkin visually interesting on the inside or best appreciated from afar where you can see the whole building?
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Well, it’s not really open to public except on special occasions so I really wouldn’t know whether it’s as interesting inside as it it is from outside
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I’m not a big fan of modern architecture either Tanja, but this building has always fascinated me. Thanks for sharing some info and pics of The Gherkin! 🙂
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thank you for reading:)
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I don’t know that I have a favorite style so much as I enjoy architecture as an art form. I like the Gherkin, both as a novel structure and as a beautiful building. And welcome to Twitter! I’m looking you up and Following you now! Uhm…In a good way, of course. 😉
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🙂 thanks for following:) in a good way:)
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Tanja, I do love modern architecture, especially like the Gherkin…but you are also right about those old, gorgeous structures of the past…one of the main reasons we travel, isn’t it?
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Yes!
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hahaha funny, I think the same as you when it comes to modern art! I think that one of the reasons I love Europe so much is to be able to encounter old architecture. I don’t mind the modern, I liked how London has this contrast, but I certainly do prefer the old, original 😀
I think in terms of modern buildings, nowadays I am still impressed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai 😀
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes
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thank you reading it:)
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I’m a fan of the Gherkin as well…I love old architecture but when modern is done well it’s incredibly striking. I love that we have a fantastic mix in London and it all seems to blend in well together #mondayescapes
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I agree with you:)
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I was always amused by the Gherkin, and it was interesting to hear you feel the same way. I enjoyed seeing your photos looking up at the building, I’d be interested in seeing it this way on a future visit to London!
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thanks:)
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I must admit I prefer old buildings steeped in history but the gherkin is certainly an interesting building. #Mondayescapes
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yes, it is:)
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I’m all about modern art and architecture. My favorite building is the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles by Frank Gehry (it’s very similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, but I haven’t visited that one) #mondayescapes
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ok:)
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I’m a fan of the Gherkin too; I’d love to be able to go inside. I’m not sure that I’m so keen on all of the new skyscrapers in London though, it’s really changing the cityscape and I rather liked it when it was low rise. #Mndayescapes
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Yes, I love some of the new skyscrapers but not all of them
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I’m with you – I definitely prefer older architecture, and it often amazes me the detail you get in something hundreds of years old. But I am a fan of the Gherkin as well, and I love the way London’s skyline mixes the old with the very new. #mondayescapes
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I love the combination of the old and the new in all old cities, but especially in London. I love the way you framed your shots so to present this great contrast. Excellent pics.
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thanks:)
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I love 30 St Mary Axe! It is such a beautiful building. I loved the Shard for a long time too and photographed it from when it was a hole in the ground. I also lovely 20 Fenchurch – the Walkie Talkie building, no matter what people say about it.
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the Shard is ok, I’ve got a few photos of it too, but I haven’t been on it yet:) I’m not sure about the walkie talkie:)
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I like a mixture of old and new buildings, I love how they combine together in big cities 🙂 I actually really like The Gherkin too 😀
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cool!:)
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I’m with you on being old-fashioned when it comes to architecture! We were just in London earlier this year and saw the Gherkin for the first time, and I thought it was great too! It’s just pleasing to the eye. 🙂
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I agree:))
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I’ve got to say I prefer newer cityscapes to older ones. I loved Hong Kong and Dubai, and everyone tells me I’d love New York too.
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I think I’d love NYC but not the other places
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