Swiss Re Tower has rapidly become one of the most famous landmarks in the world, featuring in tourist brochures and on posters of London all over the world. Few Londoners or visitors know its real name and it is affectionately referred to as “the gherkin” a kind of pickled cucumber popular among locals. It is in fact a place of work, commissioned by the insurance giant Swiss Re. One innovative design feature is that it is formed entirely from panes of flat glass, despite its curved appearance. Designed by Norman Foster, it has become an instant icon.
