In A Pickle

It hasn't even been open two months yet, but already, 30 St. Mary Axe, a sleek building in the heart of the City of London, has settled into the skyline and become an icon of the British capital. Affectionately dubbed "the Gherkin," the skyscraper is a hit with everyone from architects to heritage lovers to ordinary Londoners, while its environmentally smart design takes advantage of natural light and ventilation, using just half the energy of a typical office block. Designed by Sir Norman Foster for global reinsurers Swiss Re, the building's elegant outline has reassured locals that architecture can be both...