The Lloyd's Building
London, UK

HEIGHT: 96m
FLOORS: 14 floors
COMPLETION: 1986
ARCHITECT: Sir Richard Rogers


The Lloyd’s Building is one of the most famous modern buildings in London. It was completed in 1986. The Lloyd’s Building is located in the most ancient quarter of London. While walking through the neighbouring streets it is already possible to see parts of the glazed facades of the atrium or the service towers wich are clad in stainless steel sandwich paneels. The most important aspect of the design of Lloyd’s Building is flexibility. The building is designed as a series of concentric galleries overlooking a central atrium. All fixed obstructions, i.e. toilets, stairs, entrances, lifts and columns are placed outside the building in six vertical towers.

The building is 12 storeys to the north and steps down to six storeys towards the smale scale buildings to the south, creating a series of terraces at various levels. The twelve glazed lifts are arranged at the outside of the building, inside vertical movement is by a central escalator in the atrium. The servant zones stand freely outside the mass of the building. Concentrating lifts, service risers and toilets into the satellite towers and supporting the main building on external columns gives an uninterrupted space within the enclosing envelope and minimises restrictions on use. The vertical and main horizontal ventilation ducts are run externally for the same reason.



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/lloyds/4.jpg




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A model of the building.

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/lloyds/7.jpg



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Lloyds.building.london.arp.jpg/788px-Lloyds.building.london.arp.jpg

oo, strange scraper. 7/10

7.5/10 nice addition to the City of London skyline.

A building like this needs more clearly discernible windows, to not totally bewilder the unaware passer-by......

8/10

6.5/10

half marks for uniqueness, but this isnt my cup of tea.

3/10 Horrible, probably one of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen in my life. :down:

I like this building... very interesting, kind of industrial-cool, and looks great at night.

8/10

9.

I gave it high marks because it is unique, because of the courage to do something bold and deconstructionist.

Also reflective of social trends in London at the time. Late 80s, Thatcherism, bleak social oulook, depressed populace. Really good signpost of history.

If a building could capture what I feel about freedom and America right now, I would build this building.

Thats a skyscraper ? My school looks better ! 3.5/10

Hey at least it's not 3/10 ! :D Let's face that : Europeans doesn't know how to built good skyscraper (Of course there is some exceptions :D ).

This is the ugliest building I have ever seen. This one belongs in the jail thread.

Originally posted by BGT

This is the ugliest building I have ever seen. This one belongs in the jail thread.

:laugh: Agreed

9.5/10
It's an incredible building, with much originality. I look forward to seeing this when I next go to London.
:)

Er...I can't make up my mind...

i'll give it a nice 6

This is one of those buildings: either you love it or you hate it.
I've been to London, and I've seen it, so i Love it!

9.5/10

4/10...looks like a big industrial building.

this one is full of character, very futuristic 8

I like this kind of building
9/10

This building looks great from some angles, and very ugly from others. I give it an 8 because it looks fantastic at night and is very unique.

7/10


only because it is unique

EWW...2/10. I hate all the tubes and shit, they make it look like a factory or something at a farm.

to all you dissenters....go and actually see the building before you pass judgement....the 2 photos given at the top of the thread are probably the most unflattering that i have even seen..

the interior of lloyds is as impressive, if not more than the exterior...there is an 18 storey atrium, with probably the biggest 'room' in the world at the base due to all of the pipes and electrics being stored on the outside of the building...

at night it is stunning....to see the contrast between this and the victorian elegance of the burlington arcade is magic.

10/10. richard rogers has balls...this building still looks modern..at almost 20 years old! an architectural event.

9.5 the best in the UK IMHO

8.5/10

unique indeed :)
it is on the cover of my World history textbook

9/10

I used to hate the Lloyds Building but, as I've seen more of it, it's really grown on me. It's one of those buildings that looks far better in real life than it does in photos. You have to experience it close up. When you actually go and see it, you realise what a stunning piece of architecture it really is.

At night, it's especially impressive - the lighting makes it look like a giant spaceship has landed in the City. I remember seeing it for the first time back in 2002 when I was watching SwissRe under construction. The Lloyds Building was almost as interesting as SwissRe when it was lit up.

http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/31/46/31_46_71_web.jpg



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http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/31/46/31_46_62_web.jpg

http://peach.mie.utoronto.ca/people/tsangc/europe-day10postcard-lloyds.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/upload/9/98/Lloyds_building_london.jpg

3.5

3.5
:tongue: :tongue: :tongue:

To know this building is to love it.
A unique piece of architecture that will stand the test of time and people will argue over it's merits for years to come, that in itself warrants reconition for this masterpiece.
As dom says "go see it"

Viewed from 30 St Mary Axe


http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/622/9dsc00651.jpg

Crazy tower, 4/10

The giant atrium inside the building:



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/lloyds_inside.jpg

10/10
http://www.startbilder.de/einzelbild.php?id=286716&quality=80&maxpixel=600&identifier=93a21cb3a1
http://www.startbilder.de/einzelbild.php?id=286742&quality=80&maxpixel=600&identifier=4f139bd78f
http://www.startbilder.de/einzelbild.php?id=286746&quality=80&maxpixel=600&identifier=9d6afed9df

not totally my style... but the inside looks good though 6/10

If your ever so fortunate to get inside like moi - you have to see The Adam Room - absolutely amazing. Its right at the top but as soon as you step in its like you've stepped back 241 years to a Georgian dining-room. The Adam Room was literally "lifted" from the old building and placed on top of the current tower (while all still intact) - a peice of trully unique engineering!

On one side of the building you can also still see the original entrance facade of the original Lloyds of London (neo-classical built during the reign of the British Empire) building which is actually incorporated into this new building along Leadenhall Street and the Lutine Bell - just a symbol of raw financial power. The lifts - the London Eye in 15 seconds!!!

The lighting is quite possibly the best of any building in Europe. It actually has a voice on the skyline and even though it looks very grey from the outside at night ....inside its very light and quite empowering (the technologies used to refract light into the building were beyond the time). Many people also forget that this tower has remarkably airy floorplates, considering this tower is just below 100m it has only 14 floors.

If I wanted a workspace anywhere in the world - it would be at an underwriters desk here at Lloyds. This is without any doubt whatsoever; above any other desk in any other building on the planet.

Without much doubt a 10 - next time your in London, make this one of your first ports of call!!!

I guess it's one of those buildings you'll either love or hate.



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Pictures/nov23b.jpg

If your ever so fortunate to get inside like moi - you have to see The Adam Room - absolutely amazing. Its right at the top but as soon as you step in its like you've stepped back 241 years to a Georgian dining-room. The Adam Room was literally "lifted" from the old building and placed on top of the current tower (while all still intact) - a peice of trully unique engineering!

On one side of the building you can also still see the original entrance facade of the original Lloyds of London (neo-classical built during the reign of the British Empire) building which is actually incorporated into this new building along Leadenhall Street and the Lutine Bell - just a symbol of raw financial power. The lifts - the London Eye in 15 seconds!!!

The lighting is quite possibly the best of any building in Europe. It actually has a voice on the skyline and even though it looks very grey from the outside at night ....inside its very light and quite empowering (the technologies used to refract light into the building were beyond the time). Many people also forget that this tower has remarkably airy floorplates, considering this tower is just below 100m it has only 14 floors.

If I wanted a workspace anywhere in the world - it would be at an underwriters desk here at Lloyds. This is without any doubt whatsoever; above any other desk in any other building on the planet.

Without much doubt a 10 - next time your in London, make this one of your first ports of call!!!

I agree with Nick. For those who really know the workplace inside there is nothing else than 10!

7/10

Deary me, to those who gave it under 7... I take it that you arent interested in architecture! Whether it attracts you or not this is one of the great pieces of work in the 20th century.

http://www.orarium.com/images/london/28.jpg

seriously, to all you guys who dont like it from the pics, its one of those buildings that when you visit in the flesh simply bowls you over. It is just wonderfull. My only regret is that it hasnt been turned into something like the Tate Modern for the public... how wonderfull would that be!!!!!!!!!

seriously, to all you guys who dont like it from the pics, its one of those buildings that when you visit in the flesh simply bowls you over. It is just wonderfull.
:yes:

Especially at night - it must be one of the best-lit buildings in the world.





My only regret is that it hasnt been turned into something like the Tate Modern for the public... how wonderfull would that be!!!!!!!!!
The public can pay for access to the inside of the building ... unfortunately it costs something like £300 for a 45 minute tour. :)

that seems to be prohibitively expensive. What would be nice is if Lloyds ever moves out that the space could be turned from offices into galleries and venues so that it would be this HUGE vertical public space. It seems to me this building would be perfect for that because the design emphasises openness and flexibility anyway. Did Imagination do the lighting? They are very good at that and I remember their name being mentioned...

8/10

OMG that pic is amazing!!!

http://www.orarium.com/images/london/28.jpg

theres something very 80s-robotic about this building, and at night with Tower42 lit up the deserted plaza looks like a scene from a science-fiction movie!

http://www.orarium.com/images/london/28.jpg
nice piccy!

I like this building. The pictures posted here don't give it justice though.

8

A masterpiece imho
9.5/10

I give it credit for being original, but not a favourite of mine 6.5/10

looks like a carnival

This is one of my all-time favourites 9/10.

An amazing building. I particularly like to watch the lifts going up and down when I wait for my bus. 10/10

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5/10

5/10

:bash:

As everybody else has said, if you've seen it in the flesh (or at least on a TV documentary that shows you what it's all about), you'll understand what an awesome building it is. The thing about it is, if somebody tried to mimic it, or even build a replica in another world city, it just wouldn't work at all.

One of my most favourite bldgs in London, looks very modern and different (in a good way)... --- 9

As everybody else has said, if you've seen it in the flesh (or at least on a TV documentary that shows you what it's all about), you'll understand what an awesome building it is. The thing about it is, if somebody tried to mimic it, or even build a replica in another world city, it just wouldn't work at all.

Absolutely right, this building works on being unique and in total contrast to its surroundings and anything you've seen before. For some reason when lit up it reminds me of the work of futurists and their vision of new metropolises.

I've always been undecided on this building - its nice, but very brutal, looks better at night. 6/10

Its a work of art.

During the day from some angles it looks simply ugly on the skyline... No two ways about it... It looks like a mess from a distance from the South. However, get up close and you suddenly realise that Lloyd's is in fact a masterpiece. Wherever you stand you are looking at a completely different building; most modern buildings get more and more boring and less attractive the closer you get, Lloyd's is the exact opposite.

It took balls to design this building whereas most architects would have watered down the design for such a prominent site, Rogers let rip. It still looks fresh and futuristic after 20 years and I'd wager it will still look so when all of the current crop of glass boxes start looking oh so 20th Century.

Amazing building :cool: Really crazy and unique. 9/10

5/10

AHH! way to strange and industrialist looking!!
hate it.... 3/10

way to strange and industrialist looking!!
hate it.... 3/10

:|

sorry.. but i really don't like this building.
it looks alright from a distance.. and the concept was kinda cool when it was built (similar to pompedou centre) but when you walk around the building you just feel like you're in a ghetto or somethnig. the entrance to the bank simply sucks.. it's not grand.. and you don't feel safe at all. anyway, tehre're more problems when you come to investigate the building in details.

hate it, sorry

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/lloyds/1.jpg

^ Cracking pic there :applause: Is it yours?

Nah, just had it saved on my hard drive for ages and thought I'd upload it. :) Must have found it on Google or somewhere.

Shame it doesnt come in 1024x768 size eh :(

Consistently my favourite modern building in the UK. It's strong, austere, powerful and untouchable. It conveys an image that it contains a financial powerhouse which it does. No expense was spared building this. The best materials and finishes were used and the result is a glossy and fascinating jewel which stands out as completely unique. I love it. 10/10

8.5/10
spectacular and unique

Dont blame us though.....some french guy designed it!

He said he wanted as much room on the the inside as possible....so he but all the pipes and what not on the outside!

Prince Charles said this about the building!

"Buildings are for housing computers, not looking like one!"

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/lloyds_of_london_night1-01.jpg
http://www.myphotographs.net/england/england015.jpg
http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/images/1408.jpg

:puke:I'm sorry i really don't like this building 3.5/10

4/10...looks like a big industrial building.
i'm agree with him. it seems a factory 3/10

Well, I guess it's one of those buildings you either love or loathe.

Personally I think it's a work of art, a masterpiece of engineering and design, and one of the City's most iconic buildings.

What the hell should that be? This building is trying to be modern, but its odd and looks like an industrial place. There should be better buildings in the heart of London! Isn't a horror-museum right next to this building?

3/10

Sort of the same building as Centre pompidou, 8/10

External-Industrial look really is one of my least prefered styles of building.. I'm not a fan of this.. yet its interesting and quite 'full on'... Maybe I will like it more when it gets its new shiny neighbour of 51 Limestreet :)

7/10

horrible :eek:
3.5/10

6.5/10. I'm not keen on this.

10/10

Sorry but its not my favourite style, 6/10

A stunning piece of architecture.

You have to see this building in real life, up close, to appreciate it.

9.5

Thanks to mrout for these interior shots:


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/andyrout/132_3253.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/andyrout/132_3252_r1.jpg

10/10
or
1/10

But it's so strange amd so different, it really deserves 10 points

It's so crazy! So a 10 from me!

I like this one a lot better then the Pompidou center. Ill give it an 8.

http://tinypic.com/dvoi2r.jpg

looks quite cool 7/10

It´s so strange it needs a good vote :D 9/10!

10. a modern art masterpiece.

-

Cool. 9.5/10

Another bold statement, modern art at it's best. I will definately check it out closer when I'm in London next time.
10/10

very strange 7,5/10

incredibly weird, yet strangely fascinating. I give it an 8, just because I can't stop looking at it, trying to figure it out.

creepy, but interesting

7/10

9,5/10

8/10

OK, 8

One of my favourite building
A very good example of hi-tech modernism style
I juss love the use of metal n glass....
great work by R. Rogers

nice shape, i like it 7.5/10

uups :)

I used to like it a lot before, but now after 20 years, it looks like "out of fashion". I find it unique, but annoying.
6/10

5/10

5/10

Very industrial looking. Inside-out. It doesn't look that great from photos, but in real life it really captures your sight. 8/10

It's such a weird and wonderful building, best seen when it's lit up at night.

8/10

absolutely hate this building

0/10

It looks more like and industrial buildings.

I like it -- 10/10

sorry... 4/10. :(

View from the glass lifts -

http://www.youtube.com/v/ya4JXEMKPJc

5/10 ;)

It shouldn't be there where it is... Maybe it would fit at the dock 'cos of its industrial factory-like charme. But even then - OK it's definetly unique - but, somehow, disturbing and inharmoniously :lol: Definetly not my beer London guys...

Again, the reality is far superior to to anything portrayed in these photos!

And the Willis building only enhances it further! 10/10

9

Wonderful in terms of its innovative engineering more than its architectural appearance. Looks far better from street level than as part of the skyline, but adds some interesting complexity to the City’s cityscape!

This building is just weird... 5/10 for its rareness

wow...10/10...looks so sci-fi! ;)

10/10 :)

I love it, the interior is awesome too.

9.5

Daring and innovative architecture.
A timeless design. I adore it.
9,5/10

Perplexing, confusing and possibly the most original, bold and stunning piece of architecture of the 20th century. Too much for some though (my boyfreind can not stand it) so it's all down too personal taste.

Very impresionant & modern.... but is ugly.... :(

7'5/10

3.5 I don't like!!

Wacky... Nice way of turning some old factory into useful commercial building :okay:. 8/10

9/10

10

7/10

simply stunning, one of my favorite buildings in London utterly unique

An amazing building that should be preserved for thousands of years

9/10

10/10

Lots of pipes, stairs, and elevators on the outside leaves a vast uncluttered space on the inside.

7,5/10

love it

intersting design 8/10

7/10

weird but unique

7/10

10/10
The best building of the 80's!

Interesting. 9/10, it's original and impressive, although I wouldn't want all of a city's buildings to resemble Lloyd's.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2811993191_611f219dea_o.jpg

This was posted by Medo.

4/10

9/

A Rogers' masterpiece! 9,5/10

Very bold and impressive, definitely a landmark. 10/10 :)

I like it :cheers:

10/10

I don't know.... It's definitely unique but I just think it's ugly. It looks like it's still under construction. It looks TOO industrial for my taste. 5/10

9/10. A very unique building.

10/10, easily one of the most original and outstanding modern buildings in the world. It's art.

8,5/10

innovator desing, nice building

8/10

Ugly? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!!

This is a masterwork of architecture! Very futurustic, very industrial, very... cosmic. I wonder that our cities will be looks like this buiilding after 100 years. :)

20/10

Unique, interesting and timeless. Just perhaps a bit short, but i'd still give it a 8.5/10 :D

love it or hate it.
I love it.

1000/10.

The interior is an experience of its own. The atrium is superb and absolutely amazing from any angle and floor you are in.

The views of the City from the upper floors with the container-style Lloyd's towers around are incredible. Just can't wait to see the new City towers built (Leadenhall Tower)

But my favourite Lloyd's experience is the corridors leading to the elevators. They have that amazing 2001's Space Oddysey or '80s airport-lounge style (CDG T-1) . You really feel transported back in time or ready to make your check-in. :lol:

One of the greatest architectural experiences you may have.

Very original! One of the best modern buildings. 10/10

8/10

9/10

very unique and distinctive

9/10

9/10

10. Excellent building. Regards.

9/10

9.5/10. One of the most iconic buildings in the City.

7/10

Freak building.. 7.5/10

OMG,oil refinery????4

8/10

i have to side with the tens. i have had the pleasure to see in the flesh and it is indeed a stunning piece of modern architecture, beautiful and elegant. in an (unlikely) ideal world, londoners will fight to preserve this building. greetings from santiago, chile.

6/10

3.5

This is a building?

3.5

This is a building?

No it's not, it's a masterpiece!

10/10

its clever, like the pompidou centre in Paris. But to be honest, i find it hideous. 7.5/10, because George Orwell couldn't have conceived a something more sinister and oppressive addition to the city's skyline.

One of a kind. 9/10

7/10

Unique? Yes. Brutal? Yes. Beautiful? No!
6/10 because it's original.

4.5 sorry to say it looks part like an oil refinery.

I'm one of those who hate it

1/10

8/10

8/10

6/10 for this, a bit odd!

I like it! 9/10