As The Shard nears completion, the London tower and its dramatic design are attracting scrutiny and reflection. Recent programs by London’s Channel 4 and the Royal Institute of British Architects examined the project’s origins and the construction obstacles.

The Royal Institute of British Architects this week hosted a lecture by the Shard's architect, Renzo Piano. He discussed his original misgivings about tall building design and his subsequent approach to the project.

The building's original design was created on the back of a restaurant menu, he reveals in the interview. He also discussed the complexities of building the tower so close to a river and how architecture affects civilization.

Listen to the hour-long BBC radio broadcast of the interview here.

Earlier this year London's Channel 4 broadcast a feature length program on the construction of the tower. The piece focused on many of the challenges faced by the engineers, the relationship between the developer and the designer, and the everyday trials overcome by construction crews.

An official inauguration ceremony for The Shard is scheduled for next month. Upon completion it will be the tallest building in Europe at 306 meters (1,004 feet).

Find previous CTBUH coverage of the skyscraper here.