Deriving its name from its nature-inspired form, the designers said The Tulip would enhance The Gherkin, one of London’s most cherished and recognisable buildings and offer a new state-of-the-art cultural and educational resource for Londoners and tourists.

At 1,000ft (305m) high, it will be the City of London’s tallest skyscraper and about 3ft shorter than the Shard, the UK’s highest building.

A key feature will be the education facility within the top of The Tulip, offering 20,000 free places per year for London’s state school children. This educational resource will deliver national curriculum topics using innovative tools to bring to life the city’s history and dynamism.

The Tulip seeks to provide an unparalleled vantage point with viewing galleries offering visitors an engaging experience with sky bridges, internal glass slides and gondola pod rides on the building’s façade. Complementing the experience will be a sky bar and restaurants with 360-degree views of the city.

Foster + Partners founder and executive chair, Norman Foster, claimed the Tulip would be a “cultural and social landmark”.

Jacob J Safra, whose Bury Street Properties company is funding the project, added: “The Tulip’s elegance and soft strength complements the iconic Gherkin.”

If planning permission for the unusually-shaped building is permitted, the companies say construction would begin in 2020 with the project completed by 2025.