30 St Mary Axe is the London skyscraper designed by Norman Foster and completed in 2004 at 30 St Mary Axe.
The building is widely known by the nickname “the Gherkin,” inspired by its rounded, tapering form. Foster + Partners designed it with engineer Arup for Swiss Re, whose former headquarters occupied the site.
Its curved glass façade uses diamond-shaped panels and a diagrid structural system. The design reduces the need for internal columns and helps create naturally ventilated atrium spaces.
The official address is the building’s formal name, while “the Gherkin” is the common public nickname. It should not be confused with The Shard, which is considerably taller and opened later.