London Set | Architecture Set | Night Set
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Explore # 293
City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority which comprises the Mayor of London and London Assembly. It is located in Southwark, stands on the south bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. Designed by Norman Foster, it opened in July 2002.
The building has an unusual bulbous shape, intended to reduce its surface area and thus improve energy efficiency. It has been compared variously to Darth Vader's helmet, a misshapen egg, a human scrotum, a woodlouse or a motorcycle helmet. Former mayor Ken Livingstone referred to it as a "glass testicle". The new mayor, Boris Johnson, has referred to it more politely as 'The Onion'. Its designers reportedly saw the building as a giant sphere hanging over the Thames, but opted for a more conventionally rooted building instead. It has no front or back on conventional terms but derives its shape from a modified sphere.
City Hall was constructed on a site formerly occupied by wharves serving the Pool of London. The building does not belong to the GLA but is leased under a 25-year rent. It forms part of a larger development called More London, including offices and shops. Next to City Hall is a sunken amphitheatre called The Scoop, which is used in the summer months for open-air performances; it is not, however, part of the GLA's jurisdiction. The Scoop and surrounding landscape were designed by Townshend Landscape Architects.
A 500-metre (1,640 ft) helical walkway, reminiscent of that in New York's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, ascends the full height of the building. At the top of the ten-story building is an exhibition and meeting space called "London's Living Room", with an open viewing deck which is occasionally open to the public. The walkway provides views of the interior of the building, and is intended to symbolise transparency; a similar device was used by Foster in his design for the rebuilt Reichstag (parliament) in Germany. In 2006 it was announced that solar photovoltaic cells would be fitted to the building by the London Climate Change Agency.
Despite the name, City Hall is neither located in nor does it serve a city (as recognised by English constitutional law), often adding to the confusion of Greater London with the City of London, whose headquarters is in the Guildhall, north of the Thames. The predecessors of the Greater London Authority, namely the Greater London Council and the London County Council, had their headquarters at County Hall, upstream on the South Bank. Although County Hall's old council chamber is still intact, the building is unavailable for use by the GLA due to the building's conversion into, among other things, a luxury hotel, amusement arcade and aquarium.
The nearest London Underground station is London Bridge.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Hall_(London)
Golden City Hall... in London
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
19 Январь 2010, 13:31 rodante Bonita fotografia,que tengas un buen fin de semanaSaludos rodante©
20 Январь 2010, 12:26 rodante Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Fotografia Nocturna. (Night Photography), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
21 Январь 2010, 05:22 dolpharius**(*-*)** Beautiful shot David, lovely tones of gold n yellow, happy weekend to you!
22 Январь 2010, 02:17 Jendrix56 ... Hostia tio !!!!!! para alucinar ...parece que hayas iluminado todo Londres con esta edicion .......tu sello inconfundible y una maravillosa composicion!!!!!!!!!!!!
22 Январь 2010, 05:23 ninayak --- Busy (On and Off Flickr) Wow what a fabulous composition. Lovely perspective my friend :o)
23 Январь 2010, 04:00 NuraNAlbayraK Wonderful capture.
23 Январь 2010, 17:37 peppermint 2009 so wonderful
24 Январь 2010, 15:31 5ERG10
A golden explosion of magnificence!
Totally awesome David
XOXOYour photo deserves a Ruby
Please add this photo to the The Ruby Awards group
You can tag your photo RubyPhotographer
24 Январь 2010, 23:49 woah! brilliant stuff David. love those golden lights
25 Январь 2010, 02:44 AreKev Fabulous. Just fabulous David!!!!!!! holy wow!!!
25 Январь 2010, 14:53 CarloAlessio77 Another fabulous night shot !!
25 Январь 2010, 21:00 Mukumbura Amazing nightshot!
26 Январь 2010, 10:28 klovir Excellent a masterful image my friend!
26 Январь 2010, 12:36
Wonderful Capture!!!
Post Group *mallmix Star Award*
Please tag with “mallmixstaraward”
This picture is a BIG ONE fav, and
magnificent.
Please post it in our pool
The BIG ONE...Awesome Shot!
Please add this great photo to:
"1001 Nights" (Post 1 - Award 5)
Please Tag your photo with "1001
Nights"
This is an outstanding photo that deserves
this very special award receive 4 or more of
these place your photo in our special award
section and win a place on the group's front
page.
one of which must be from a group leader.
Defender's Macro and Close Up GroupPlease join us and share this and all your
Stunning photos!
And invite many too !
Stunning Planet Earth (2 Comments)Your work has inspired me!!
You are INVITED to post it in... The Nature GroupThis photo has Spirit
This photo has been selected for ·Spirit Of
Photography·
Please add this image to Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5
And tag the photo with "Spirit of
Photography" You are Invited to Add this Exquisite Shot
to:
Flickr’s Exquisite Shots (Invite Only)
26 Январь 2010, 18:21 Sir Cam
Superb night shot
Congratulations! Your photo has been nominated as an "The Unforgettable Picture"
You are invited to add your wonderful picture to The Unforgettable Pictures Group
Please read the Group Rules and tag your photo TheUnforgettablePictures INVITE only & Comment on 3--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
27 Январь 2010, 00:13 ferahfeza You always light up all the picture in my contact stream! Your signature gold! Cant go wrong!beautiful work! If i lived in this place, I will look like a millionaire!
27 Январь 2010, 06:02 Bolognesi
So beautiful David! Breathtaking! I love the
golden way you do these ;) The lights are
Awesome and it glows ;)) I will be seeing
this in explore later! Have a great day!
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
28 Январь 2010, 04:31 Hans van Reenen fantastic colours and a superb capture!
29 Январь 2010, 04:12 pattpoom nice shot!
29 Январь 2010, 21:35 dreamscapepics David's Style!!!!!
30 Январь 2010, 06:12 Road Fun
Stunning tones and shapes.
Great capture.
30 Январь 2010, 12:26
Outstanding night shot with great exposure,
color and composition.
Very beautiful sharing as always.!!!
Have a great time and a great weekend.:)
30 Январь 2010, 23:37 Richard Roscoe Photography Wow!!! That is amazing!!
31 Январь 2010, 00:32 ineedathis Golden and bright, lovely!
31 Январь 2010, 09:40 Limbo Poet Superb David
31 Январь 2010, 13:17 blackbir/dk
Great work!
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Seen in my contacts' photos
Congratulations! You have been given the Crystal Award ~ Invited Photos only . Please post your photo to the group.
01 Февраль 2010, 10:48 Fraggle Red Another amazing masterpiece David!
Теги: London UK Architecture Cityscape Hall City Hall Gold Night Colors Sony 11-18mm Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Urban Golden City Travel Explore Interestingness Sony Alpha DT 11-18mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Sony Alpha DSLR-350 Sony Alpha Sony Alpha