(Level: Intermediate + to Upper-Intermediate / B2 to C1/ ***)
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| City of London skyline Picture credit: theguardian.com |
The Leadenhall Building, nicknamed
“The Cheesegrater” was completed in July 2014 and adds up to the City of London
skyline, along with The Shard (*), The Pinnacle, The Gherkin, The Quill and
many others.
(*) You can also watch the report posted on 20 May 2013 and find out more about The Shard. Click HERE
The Cheesegrater is unique as such.
You are now going to watch a BBC programme focusing on this London’s latest
building.
Before watching
Look at these pictures of the Cheesegrater.
What can you say about the building? What makes it unique, according to you?
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| The Cheesegrater Picture credit: building.co.uk |
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| The Cheesegrater Picture credit: bbc.co.uk |
While watching
Answer the following question in French!
What makes the Cheesegrater different from other skyscrapers in the City?
(Five points)
1
2
3
4
5
You can also watch the BBC video by clicking HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers.
1
La forme du gratte-ciel: une râpe à fromage avec une base plus large et un sommet de plus en plus étroit.
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| A cheese grater Picture credit: overclock.net |
Cette forme spécifique a été voulue par les architectes afin de bien maintenir le bâtiment à l'écart de la silhouette du dôme de la Cathédrale Saint-Paul à partir du West End de Londres.
Remarque: pour être plus précis, pour maintenir une vue dégagée du dôme de la cathédrale quand on se situe dans Fleet Street...
(...) While its name is the product of a planning-meeting quip, the Cheesegrater's form is dictated by a building that has been the most powerful force in shaping London for the last three centuries. The dome of St Paul's Cathedral, almost a mile to the west, is protected by a convoluted array of height limits and viewing corridor rules. All buildings must bow to these. (...) But with the Cheesegrater, Rogers and his team have used this strange doctrine of deference to great effect, crafting a slender tapering form of rare elegance. The fact that the tower tilts back to the north isn't just to add some visual dynamism - it's also, like an awkward relative leaning out of a wedding photograph, making sure it doesn't spoil the backdrop of the hallowed dome when seen from Fleet Street. (...) (Oliver Wainwright, The Guardian, 16 June 2013)
Et voici ce que ça donne:
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| Saint Paul's dome from Fleet Street Photo credit: cabbieblog.com |
2
Le rez-de-chaussée sera entièrement accessible au public.
3
Les ascenseurs sont les plus rapides de Londres, si pas d'Europe; 45 étages en à peine 30 secondes (15 miles à l'heure, soit +/- 24 km à l'heure).
4
85% de la structure totale a été fabriquée hors du chantier et acheminée sur place afin de l'assembler à la manière d'un mécano (ou lego) géant.
5
Les entreprises qui veulent y avoir leur siège ou leurs bureaux doivent payer des loyers exorbitants, parmi les plus élevés de la Capitale.
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| The Shard - 95% owned by Qatar Picture credit: theguardian.com |
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| The Pinnacle - an office tower Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org |
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| The Quill - a student residence Picture credit: london-se1.co.uk |
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| The Gherkin - an office building Picture credit: theguardian.com |
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