It seems the “Walkie Scorchie” is not the only one of the latest crop of tall buildings to suffer embarrassing design issues. The Financial Times reported that guests to the Shangri-La’s luxury hotel, which became Europe’s tallest hotel when it opened this month in London’s 310m-tall Shard, get a more than a view than they might have bargained for. In a review of the new hotel, where he stayed overnight, FT correspondent Tom Robbins reported that because of the building’s design, “some rooms also come with potentially revealing views of other guests through the floor-to-ceiling windows”.
Said Robbins: “The Shard may look like a conventional four-sided pyramid from afar but in fact it has about 20 faces (the exact number depending on height). At many of the corners, glass panels protrude several metres beyond the edge of the building, helping create the jagged ‘shard of glass’ profile. In daylight, you look straight through them but at night, when the room lights are turned on, they act like mirrors.”
When Robbins stayed there last week he reported that guests in the neighbouring room were clearly visible as they prepared for bed, as was the bed in another room on a lower floor.
A room at the Shangri-La’s hotel at The Shard with views over London…
… but some guests got a surprise through the floor-to-ceiling windows
The FT also pointed out that bedrooms come with binoculars so guests can survey the city’s landmarks through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Only some rooms will be affected by this issue and, of course, it’s not uncommon for hotel rooms to have windows facing others. But this is a hotel where the windows are entire walls, and where everyone will naturally want to keep the blinds open,” said Robbins.
The Shangri-La hotel is housed on the 34th to 52nd floors of The Shard. It features an indoor infinity pool and stunning views across London.
The Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and built by Mace. It was opened in January 2013. Just over a quarter of the Shangri-La’s 202 rooms are currently open. The FT reported that the hotel said it was aware of the issue and that it would be pointed out to guests. “In some rooms, due to the unique shape of the Shard, guests may be able to glimpse into a neighbour’s room,” said Darren Gearing, the hotel general manager. “For this, blinds are available for guest privacy.”
Last September, 20 Fenchurch Street (known as the “Walkie Talkie”) hit the headlines when sunlight focused by its glazed concave facade melted parts of a car parked below, prompting it to be nicknamed the Walkie Scorchie.
