Few modern buildings have acquired such instant fame as 30 St Mary Axe. As London’s first eco-friendly tall building, it was essential the lighting supported the tower both architecturally and in terms of its sustainability strategy.

The external image of the tower is intentionally understated, as the concept excluded exterior lighting for both environmental as well as aesthetic reasons. Instead, the composition of light and dark glass that characterises the tower’s spiral form was carefully studied so that the diagram of the building remains legible at night. At ground level, the visual clutter of light poles has been avoided allowing an uninterrupted view of the building from across the plaza. Instead perimeter walls, trees, colonnade and lower structural elements are carefully lit so that when viewed from above the entire building is ringed by a halo of light

Inside, artificial lighting is used to complement the daylight that penetrates deep into the building plan from the spiral atria. Within the main entrance, downlighting is kept to the perimeter to keep the ceiling clean and to express the curving walls that lead to the lift lobbies. In the office areas, the core of the building is washed with light on all levels, including the tenant spaces, to maintain a consistent approach. Uplighting to the soffits of the spiralling atria provides general light as well as helping to define the external image of the building.

Crowning the skyscraper is the great glazed dome that houses the restaurant and bar, and which affords spectacular views across the city. Light is tightly focused onto tables and directed onto the perimeter to create comfortable illumination without causing disturbing reflections on the glass. While the lighting is understated throughout, it befits a project whose brief was to create an environmental landmark.