TheShardwasdesignedbythefamousItalianarchitectRenzoPiano.WhenhebegandesigningtheShardforLondon,Pianowantedaverytallbuildingthatlookedlikeaspire(尖顶).Hewantedtheglasssurfacestoreflecttheskyandthecity.Thesidesofthebuildingaren’tregular.Sothebuildinghasanunusualshape.Itlookslikeaverythin,sharppieceofbrokenglass.Andthatishowthebuildinggotthename:theShard.PianosaysthatthespireshapeoftheShardispartofagreatLondontradition.TheshaperemindshimofthespiresofthechurchesofLondonorthetallmasts(桅杆)oftheshipsthatwereonceontheriverThames.

TheShardhas87floors.Atthetop,thereisanobservatory.Atthemomentthebuildingisempty,buteventuallytherewillbeafive-starhotel.Therewillalsobetopqualityrestaurants,apartmentsandoffices.

Beforebuildingworkbegan,alotofpeopledidn’twanttheShardthoughtheplanswereapproved.NowtheyarestillunhappyabouttheShard.SomecriticssaythatsuchatallskyscrapermightbegoodinacitylikeNewYork,butnotinLondon.TheysaythatthebestthingabouttheShardisitsspireshape.Butthatistheonlything.Thereisnodecoration,onlyflatsurfaces.TheEgyptiansdidthat4,500yearsago.TheyalsothinktheShardistoobigforLondon.Itdestroysthebeautyofthecity.