Building the Gherkin (2005)

Can a single building impact the career of an architect, the image of a global company and even the skyline of a big city?

Can a single building impact the career of an architect, the image of a global company and even the skyline of a big city? Just a month and a day after the disastrous attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the first steel beam of a new tower is erected in London. One question is on everybody’s mind: is it the right decision to build a new iconic tower in the midst of London’s financial district, on a site that has already been bombed before? The 40-storey steel and glass tower sparks further controversy. Norman Foster, one of Britain’s most visionary architects, calls his design for the new Swiss Re London headquarters ‘radial – socially, technically, architecturally and spatially’. In fact, its size and shape are so radical that it is almost immediately nicknamed ‘the erotic gherkin’. Will the Gherkin become the landmark they all dream of?

Director: Mirjam von Arx
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 89 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Diego Baldenweg
Editing: Janet Mccaig Taylor
Production: Condor Films
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Budget: $1M
Original Language: en

Keywords

london, england, architecture, woman director

Trailer

Building the Gherkin Trailer
More Films by Director: Mirjam von Arx
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Building the Gherkin about?
Can a single building impact the career of an architect, the image of a global company and even the skyline of a big city? Just a month and a day after the disastrous attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the first steel beam of a new tower is erected in London. One question is on everybody’s mind: is it the right decision to build a new iconic tower in the midst of London’s financial district, on a site that has already been bombed before? The 40-storey steel and glass tower sparks further controversy. Norman Foster, one of Britain’s most visionary architects, calls his design for the new Swiss Re London headquarters ‘radial – socially, technically, architecturally and spatially’. In fact, its size and shape are so radical that it is almost immediately nicknamed ‘the erotic gherkin’. Will the Gherkin become the landmark they all dream of?
Who directed Building the Gherkin?
Building the Gherkin was directed by Mirjam von Arx.
Who stars in Building the Gherkin?
Building the Gherkin stars Norman Foster, John Coomber, Rees Peter Wynne, Fox Sara, Picardi Carla, Forrester John.
How long is Building the Gherkin?
Building the Gherkin has a runtime of 1h 29m (89 minutes).
What genre is Building the Gherkin?
Building the Gherkin is a Documentary film.
What is the budget of Building the Gherkin?
Building the Gherkin had a budget of $1M.
Where was Building the Gherkin produced?
Building the Gherkin was produced in United Kingdom.