The Shard

London's glass splinter poking the sky since 2012/Modern Buildings

The Shard in London, designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 2012, is the tallest building in the United Kingdom at 310 meters. Its tapered glass form contains 72 habitable floors plus a spire, with 11,000 glass panels covering its exterior. The building was inspired by the masts of sailing ships and church steeples in 18th-century engravings of London. It weighs roughly 500 million kilograms including foundations and contains offices, restaurants, a hotel, apartments, and a public observation deck. On a clear day you can see for 64 kilometers from the top, though in London 'clear day' is a relative concept.