2000ad susses it prophetically!

[Carlsborg Expert]

This superskyscraper in London, affectionatley known as the the Gherkin, is so shaped because of its economics.

A design like this could not be possible without today computer design software either.

I am sure someones picked it up before, so I mention briefly its got an economic advantange over other scyscrapers that have to use air conditioned upper floor due to not having the Gherkins marvelously domed, coned, even, shape.
As only one exists it seems Britain lead the way in futuristic business archetechure...

and the Galaxies greatest, is way ahead in the concept.http://www.hughpearman.com/illustrations5/gherkincontext4a.jpg">

[LARF]

It's a giant cock substitute for when the Falation invasion occurs in 2065...

[Dudley]

I'm probably being daft, but where's the giant penile skyscraper in 2KAD?

[Funt Solo]

http://www.2000adonline.com/functions/cover.php?Comic=2000ad&choice=236" />

[Funt Solo]

http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/2000ad/hires/236.jpg" />

[Carlsborg Expert]

You see, in most 'rectangular prism ' blocks, wind is hitting the side of the building at such a pace, office workers have to have air conditioning in the summer because the windows on the upper floors cannot be opened.

As buildings look to get taller and taller, the conical design will be more climate tolerant and more energy efficient.

When Bolland was designing his fallic building he understood ; the talller a building is, the more pressure/gravity it had to contend with.

So the buildings may be look like schlongs, but the method behind them looking such a way is entirely sound.

[Dudley]

So you;re saying Brian Bolland = Godlike Gherkin Genius?

[Carlsborg Expert]

All the Gs. Westhide!  Yup.

[Carlsborg Expert]

Well no actually, there might be Esquerres to thank for the initail design. But then Bolland took the lead to perfecting the mexican cucumber.

[damnandblast]

I can see it from my office; watching the window cleaners abseil from the top still makes me feel nervous. The Gherkin DOES have air conditioning, but its design is more energy efficient. The other difference is that the A/C systems are on the penultimate floor (you can see the darker, diamond-shaped vent panels in the picture, just below the rail where the cleaners' cradle hangs (which, incidentally, looks like an old upright piano. Very odd.)). Someone told me that having the A/C there and making the top floor a panoramic restaurant was nothing to to with clever design, it's purely a marketing tool and actually caused all sorts of structural problems.

Nigel