“The Shard”, also known as the London Bridge Tower, is a skyscraper that will stretch the imagination an astounding 1017ft [306 meters] tall when construction is completed in 2012. Damn just on time for the end of the world ... that's what I call a bad timing ...
Upon completion [and assuming the end of the world will not happen] The Shard will be the tallest building in the U.K. and amongst one of the tallest buildings in all of Europe. The building will be served by 44 lifts [including double deckers] with an average intervals of 30 seconds during the rush-hours.
Some key design cues on the 72-story building include twisting glass facets on the exterior of the tower and the inside will consist of offices, apartments, restaurants, hotel [Shangri-La] and a whopping 15-story observation deck.
On the 52nd floor the pool for a breathtaking experience ... not such a good thing when trying to swim ;-)
In its commitment to environment ... it will also have 47 parking spaces only but 250 bicycles spaces. Yes you read correctly, so you better be rich and in shape to live there ;-) But who needs a car in London anyway. It will use 30% less energy than any other similar building.
The triple skin facades and computer controled blind reduced the need of AC (It is also London where it's hot about 48 hours in one year ;-)
I personally LOVE those kind of constructions, which is a city by itself, but what scares me is that I would be able to live in such towers without wanting to leave it for weeks ... and as much as it sounds fun, it also cut you from the rest of the world (not such a bad thing today) but it also sounds like one of those old sci-fy movie where you know something bad is going to happen, I don't know the rest of the world can turn into zombies without you noticing or worst, it turns into an 'ivory tower' for super rich people where low class citizen are only allow in because they clean your house or serve you food ... spooky I know!
+ Shard London Bridge Tower