for this meeting of the norman foster appreciation society we will look at the swiss re building, both affectionately and denigratingly known to londoners as the gherkin.

it is a shocking piece of architecture, to be sure, looking somewhat like a glass missile projecting out above the skyline.

the funny part about the swiss re building is that it pops up into damn near every cityscape photo you'll take of london, though it's not the easiest building to get up close to. we went out of our way to go see it and the lloyd's building, and it is seriously impressive to stand at the base of it. we just stood there shaking our heads. norman foster has remarkable vision, and whoever hires him has serious cojones.

here she is behind a little church.

behind the tower of london.

and up close.

i think i'm in love with his brilliant architecture.