Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedestrian
^^I'm with you (in spite of being usually an Anglophile). Not at all a fan of the Gherkin or the Shard (especially the Gherkin).
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I think Barcelona's Torre Agbar (therefore French archi. Jean Nouvel) is the one responsible for that supposedly phallic shape.
It's not super subtle, to say the least, but the Gherkin materials nonetheless look nice.
Paris's D2 tower is actually better. Obviously partly inspired by the Agbar and the Gherkin, its shape is more subtle and its design does compliment the boulevard it sits on, and the surroundings as a whole. I think that's due to the inherent constraints of the urban lot it was erected on. Sometimes, even often, constraints of a built-up environment help architects do better. Except for the top that's a little messy, D2's a smart building as an actual enhancement of its surroundings.