London skyline to get glazed landmark

The City of London is set for another major glazed building after planning permission was given for a site next to the famous Gherkin building.

The Can of Ham building will be 24 storeys high and is designed by Foggo Associates, according to the Business, from the Eastern Daily Press.

It comes from Norwich developer Targetfollow, which recently confirmed that the City Corporation has given its full backing to the 90 metre glass structure.

Shaped like a glass can of ham, the building will take on a semi-elliptical form and will be used as both retail and office space.

Targetfollow development director Julian Wells explained that the building is set to become as much of a landmark as its famous neighbour.

"The design is spectacular and highly distinctive – we think our proposals will greatly add to the city skyscape," he told the website.

"This will be a new landmark building which sits comfortably within the major tower cluster that is starting to take shape in this part of the City of London.

"We are very excited about this development, particularly with its use of low-carbon solutions and harnessing of solar and thermal energy.

Glass use in architecture has been prolific over the past few years – only recently Leeds Metropolitan University added a new glazed centrepiece building called the Rose Bowl.