Page 139 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

The top of 30 St Mary Axe, or the “Gherkin,” the sixth tallest building in
London, England
The mismatched angles and concrete façade of the Casa da Música,
Porto, Portugal
30 St Mary Axe on a sculpture of a twisting human being Casa da Música,
The spectacular Turning Torso in Malmö, Sweden supposedly modeled
(The Gherkin), Turning Torso, Portugal
UK Sweden

NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The Casa da Música
is located alongside Rotunda
LOCATION The Gherkin is LOCATION The Turning Torso 10350
in London’s financial district is located on the waterfront in /PSUI da Boavista, one of Porto’s "UMBOUJD
(the City), England "UMBOUJD the city of Malmö, Sweden 4FB -VMFB major roundabouts, Portugal 0DFBO $PJNCSB
0DFBO CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION (MBTHPX &EJOCVSHI CONSTRUCTION 41"*/
2001–4 /PSUI 2001–5 1999–2005 10356("-
4FB '*/-"/% ACCESS Open to
ACCESS Ground floor ACCESS /038": -JTCPO
and outdoor plaza only .BODIFTUFS Closed to the public 48&%&/ visitors with tickets
*3&-"/%
6/*5&% 4UPDLIPMN DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
DAYTIME DAYTIME
,*/(%0.
TEMPERATURES TEMPERATURES (ÚUFCPSH Jan: 48°F (9°C); Apr: 57°F (14°C);
Jan: 39°F (4°C); Apr: 50°F (10°C); -0/%0/ Jan: 36°F (2°C); Apr: 63°F (17°C); ."-.½ Jul: 68°F (20°C); Oct: 61°F (16°C) 'BSP
Jul: 64°F (18°C); Oct: 52°F (11°C) Jul: 64°F (18°C); Oct: 48°F (9°C)
The work of the master Dutch architect Rem
Since its construction in 2003, the “Gherkin,” as Sometime in the 21st century, admirers of world- Koolhaas, the Casa da Música provided the city
the 30 St Mary Axe office tower is affectionately class architecture began to clamor for buildings of Porto with a new icon. A concrete cube of
known, has been a welcome addition to the that they could live in. Enter Santiago Calatrava’s mismatched faces and angles, the building is full
London skyline. British architect Sir Norman mind-blowing Turning Torso, a 623-ft (190-m) of imagination. It was a modern rebuke to critics
Foster had a hand in its design. The 590-ft residential tower that has redefined urban living. who felt that classical music performances were
(180-m) skyscraper is a response to those who The tower has nine, five-storey segments stacked best enjoyed in the stately, straightforward halls
associate office towers with boring, rectangular on top of one another in a twisting fashion. The of “Old Europe.” The main performance hall is
shapes. Notable for its eco-friendly design, the uppermost segment is turned a full 90 degrees framed by a huge window, allowing natural light
building employs a natural ventilation system, from the base. Situated on the Malmö waterfront, to flood the room. Even those who come here
as well as other energy-saving features. One can’t this is one of Europe’s tallest residential buildings, without a ticket feel engaged by the building,
help but gawk at the swirling glass patterns that with 149 luxury apartment units. The “helicoidal” walking around its perimeter to admire its unique
soar up the building’s sides, creating an eye- building itself is the pride of Malmö. shape and unusual touches.
catching effect that demands attention from
even the most casual observer.
Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There and Around You can fly into Malmö airport from any Getting There and Around Fly to Francisco Sa Carneiro airport. It is
Practical Information European city, or take a ferry or train across the Øresund Strait from Denmark. also possible to travel to Porto by train or bus, either from Lisbon,
Getting There and Around London’s financial district is easily accessible by When to Go With no public access to the building, visitors must contend Madrid, or Paris.
any mode of transportation. with the waterfront’s windy conditions. It is best avoided during Sweden’s When to Go Summer months bring searing conditions, but any visit should
When to Go Avoid the wet, cold winter (Dec–Feb). freezing winters. be made with the performance schedule in mind.
Website www.30stmaryaxe.com Website www.turningtorso.com Website www.casadamusica.com

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