THE SHARD - LONDON - Europe's tallest building.

I think I like it... at least in contrast to some other towers on the Prized Skyscraper thread.

What do you think?

I love it, Osso. Can't wait 'til it's built.

I've been up the Gherkin (if you'll pardon the expression) and the view is amazing, so the view from the shard should be even better.

Appropriately named.

I like Piano's work in general - it tends to be thoughtful in a lot of different ways, varies with the context. Besides that, this looks rather beautiful.

Reminds me of my window well story, which I believe I have told before, but will tell again because it is applicable here.

I was watching a football game in my basement and noticed the curtain on the window had dropped a bit to one side. I stood up to straighten the curtain and noticed the storm window has somehow dislodged and fallen into the window well. The glass had broken and several large shards of glass projected upwards.

On the top of one of the shards, impaled on the point, was an atrophied toad, its arms and legs spread wide and the shock of death still etched on its face.

I'm getting a little tired of all the twisty torque-y towers. In a decade or two of time, they'll look like the early eighties high tech low dreck stuff - dated.

No!

True, Osso.

This one looks just right, somehow. No frills.

It might be interesting if they were all assembled in one place, a sort of ice castle city of shimmering imagery, but to place them among nice old-fashioned brick causes a sense of violation.

Almost an architectural rape.

What was that all about?

Your toad story. I was trying to give a dramatic response.

I think Osso was commenting on your toad, Gus.

I've heard it can have that affect.

Ah.... the toad.

I still say that the Chrysler building is the best skyscraper ever built though. It is truly beautiful, IMO.

One of my ambitions is to see it one day, and take a trip up to the top.

I've always liked it too.