London’s new ‘Tulip’ skyscraper looks like ‘a giant sperm’
Social media users have compared the design of the ‘The Tulip” skyscraper to a giant sperm. (Foster + Partners/Twitter)
The design for London’s latest skyscraper, named The Tulip, has been likened to sperm by social media users.
Architects submitted plans for the 305-metre tall tower in the City of London on Monday (November 19).
The blueprints for The Tulip were drawn up by leading architectural firm Foster + Partners, which said in a press release that the tip of the tower took on a “soft bud-like form.”
If the plans for Foster + Partners’ new skyscraper are approved, construction is set to start in 2020 with a completion date scheduled for 2025.
The Tulip looks like a “giant sperm,” says Twitter
Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners, said the tower would demonstrate how London is “a progressive, forward thinking city.”
However, Twitter users were quick to point out that the skyscraper resembles an enormous sperm.
Twitter users compared the tower to a huge sperm.(idvck/Twitter)
“Looks a bit like a giant sperm to me,” wrote on person.
Another said: “Looking forward to absolutely no-one referring to the sperm as ‘the tulip.'”
And one person posted: “#Tulip ? Shooting Sperm more like.”
The architects behind The Tulip also designed The Gherkin in the City of London. (SophieSleigh/Twitter)
One Twitter user, meanwhile, said that the proposed architecture looked like a butt plug.
“London Plans to build 1000ft Butt Plug,” they wrote.
The Tulip will tower over the City of London
Foster + Partners has designed another phallic-looking skyscraper in the City of London—the 41-storey 30 St Mary Axe, which is more commonly known by its nickname The Gherkin.
If plans are approved, The Tulip and The Gherkin will sit side-by-side in the same cluster of skyscrapers in the City of London.
The 1,000ft glass tower will be just 3ft shorter than The Shard, which is the tallest building in the UK.
The skyscraper would primarily be used as a visitor attraction, featuring internal slides and moving see-through pods.
It would also act as an educational facility and accommodate around 20,000 free trips for school children each year.
Foster said in a statement the building’s versatile uses are meant to serve both those who live in the British capital and those who come to visit the city.
“It offers significant benefits to Londoners and visitors as a cultural and social landmark with unmatched educational resources for future generations.”
Architects also want the floral-inspired structure to contribute to London’s sustainability objectives.
“A new pocket park is proposed alongside a two-storey pavilion offering a publicly accessible rooftop garden. Together with green walls this increases the site’s green surface area by 8.5 times, supporting the Mayor’s goal for London to be the world’s first National Park City,” they said.
