The Shard

The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe. The 306 m high iconic tower has redefined the London skyline and is already an international symbol for London.

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Client: Sellar Property Group

Design Collaborator: Adamson Associates (Toronto, London)

Consultants: ARUP (structure & services); Lerch, Bates & Associates (vertical transportation); Broadway Malyan (consulting architect); Davis Langdon (cost consultant); Townshend Architects (landscape)

Project Completed: 2012

Design Team Phase One (2000-2003): J. Moolhuijzen (partner in-charge), N. Mecattaf, W. Matthews with D.Drouin, A.Eris, S.Fowler, H.Lee, J.Rousseau, R.Stampton, M.van der Staay and K.Doerr, M.Gomes, J.Nakagawa, K.Rottava, C.Shortle; O.Aubert, C.Colson, Y.Kyrkos (models)

Consultants Phase One (2000-2003): ARUP (structure & services); Lerch, Bates & Associates (vertical transportation); Broadway Malyan (consulting architect)

Design Team Phase Two (2004-2012): J.Moolhuijzen, W.Matthews (partner in-charge), B.Akkerhuis, G.Bannatyne, E.Chen, G.Reid with O.Barthe, J.Carter, V.Delfaud, M.Durand, S.Joly.

Consultants Phase Two (2004-2012): WSP Cantor Seinuk (structure); ARUP (building services); Lerch, Bates & Associates (vertical transportation); Davis Langdon (cost consultant); Townshend Architects (landscape); Pascell+Watson (executive architect for the station)

The Shard, also known as the London Bridge Tower, is a 72-storey, mixed-use tower located beside London Bridge Station on the south bank of the River Thames. This project was a response to the urban vision of London Mayor Ken Livingstone and to his policy of encouraging high-density development at key transport nodes in London. This sort of sustainable urban extension relies on the proximity of public transportation, discourages car use and helps to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

A mix of uses - residential, offices and retail - creates a building that is in use 24 hours a day. The slender and pyramidal form of the tower was determined by its suitability to this mix: large floor plates at the bottom for offices; restaurants, public spaces, and a hotel located in the middle; private viewing gallery. 240 m above street level. This arrangement of functions also allows the tower to taper off and disappear into the sky - a particularly important detail for Renzo Piano Building Workshop given the building's prominence on the London Skyline.

Eight sloping glass facades, the "shards" define the shape and visual quality of the tower, fragmenting the scale of the building and reflecting the light in unpredictable ways. Opening vents in the gaps or "fractures" between the shards, provide natural ventilation to winter gardens.

As structural engineer, WSP was responsible for the design of The Shard and the team was on site throughout its construction. Their priority was to design a building that would be economical and financially viable from a structural point of view, while adhering to the architectural concept of the project, and to deliver it rapidly and safely.

Working closely with the architect, developer and the contractors (Mace) developed innovative new construction techniques which enhance the distinctive architecture and arc appropriate to the different uses of the building.