External Cladding System :

buildings exterior cladding system consists of full glazed , double-skinned facade comprising
oximately of 5,500 flat triangular and diamond shaped glass panels.(Profinder).These metal
glass prefabricated panels are fixed to the diagrid.

The elements of the facade consist of :

Openable glass screen

Perforated aluminium louvers ( internal sunscreen )
A column casing of aluminium
Facade frame of extruded aluminium

The glazing to the office areas consist of

a double glazed outer layer and a
single- glazed inner screen.
Sandwiched in between is a central
ventilated cavity which reduces heating
and cooling requirements.
Its performance can be turned to
maximise benefits that the prevailing
internal and external environment
Might have to offer. The solar-control
blinds intercept solar gain before it
enters the office environment.

Majorty of the cladding system of St Mary Axe consist of

glazing. Glazing to the first 38 levels of the building are
be aluminium framed, while the domed structure on the
Top is to be frameless glass.
The glass used for the external cladding is to be produce
and installed with good characterises in subject to wind
Loading , human impact , safety , security and the UV
Elimination.
Glazing to be used for the cladding is Solarplus low E Tw
Glaze unit by G.James. It is chosen for its superior therm
performance. Glass is to be clear in colour and grey glas
For the atrium and dome.

The upper three levels of the

building from Level 38 provide
corporate facilities for Swiss Re
and other tenants , including
private dining rooms , restaurant
and an upper viewing Mezzanine
offering 360 degree views over
London.
These levels are enclosed with a
steel and glass dome structure of
30m diameter , rising 22m from
its support on the top of the
perimeter
diagrid.The
dome
steelwork is a fully welded lattice
of
intersecting fabricated triangular
profiles.The efficiency of this
structural arranement results in
very minimal steel elements that
are only 110m x 150mm in
section.

The internal structure of the building

comprises conventional steel beams and
columns with composite profiled decking
floors.
The total weight of steel used is
approximately 11,000 tones.

Sources:

http://www.slideshare.net/adadarmon/swiss-re-building-london

http://www.victorbuyck.be/uploads/projects/doc_14.pdf