Not many people can claim to leave a positive mark on the world in their lifetime. Norman Foster, however, is one of those rare individuals. The British architect is responsible for some of the most celebrated buildings worldwide in a career that spans five decades. From the Reichstag dome in Berlin to the Hearst Tower in New York, his work blends high-tech structures with natural features, like green spaces or leafy patios, bringing inside and outside together in a futuristic shell .
the foundation Now in his eighties, Foster continues to contribute his vision through his architectural firm and through his charity, the Norman Foster Foundation. Foster has led the field for decades, breaking new ground and inspiring new generations of architects. So what drives him to keep going faster and longer?
Norman Foster (English accent): I think it’s the creative process and also engaging with the end users of a building, those who represent them, those who commission buildings. In many ways, I remember, for example, Steve Jobs’ words: “Don’t think of me as the client; think of me as a member of the design team, as a member of your team.” And, of course, once the team expands to that, then it becomes a very engaging, a very inspiring process. Quite tough , but very satisfying. And, of course, when, eight years later, you start to see the end results of that, then that has a magic of its own.
FACING CHALLENGES However, architectural design is a complex field. The creative process does not always run smoothly . Foster points out that every project inevitably has its ups and downs.
Norman Foster: I think all design assignments have their own challenges and different ones for different reasons. If I take the Reichstag, one is dealing with a chamber full of politicians. And the challenge there is they have to agree, but they’ve never agreed on anything in their lives, because, by their nature, they have to challenge, question and disagree. So, here, for the first time in their careers, they have to agree. Now that’s a challenge. I enjoy team-working. I enjoy bringing different disciplines together with a shared set of values and objectives. I enjoy the discourse and setting shared objectives and a belief in the team. I sometimes try to explain this with a cycling analogy — and that’s the peloton. And the peloton, as a group, is more demanding to work as a group, but you go faster and longer.
MODERN DEVELOPMENTS Foster’s profession has changed quite a lot over the course of the last half century. The main development has to be technology, but he does not see that as anything particularly groundbreaking.
Norman Foster: Technology has existed as long as civilization has existed. It’s not something new, and some of the things of the past would defy us today. To create the cathedrals, for example, that was space-age technology centuries ago. So, technology, as a means to a social end, and technology in terms of improving the quality of life, creating clean energy, reducing pollution, addressing climate change... all of these things are linked together.
TECHNOLOGY If not technology, then what is the future of architecture? What is next for this world-shaping discipline?
Norman Foster: I think it’s really continuing to address the major issues and, through design, through infrastructure, continuing to address issues of climate change, through public space, through buildings, buildings which will harvest energy, will consume less energy and demonstrate an optimistic, positive future, to improve the quality of life for all humanity.
CHANGING THE WORLD That, according to Foster, is what architecture is really all about: to study ways to enhance society and make the world a better place for us to live in.
Norman Foster: I’ve always believed that the quality of design in buildings and infrastructure, the public spaces that connect the buildings, the transportation... Together, those can address major issues of the day, whether that’s climate control, inequality... And that the quality of design affects the quality of all of our lives.
Foster highlights Norman Foster’s works range from corporate headquarters and museums to universities and government buildings like the Reichstag in Berlin. Here are just a few of his most emblematic works.
Metro de Bilbao – Bilbao, Spain (1995)
Designed as a pair of interconnecting underground lines along the banks of the River Nervión, the Bilbao Metro is unusual in that it was conceived as a whole. Its curved glass entrances at street level are locally known as ‘Fosteritos’.
30 St. Mary Axe – London, UK (2004)
Better known as ‘The Gherkin’, this 40-floor building maximises light and natural ventilation, resulting in major energy savings .
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 – Beijing, China (2007)
The technologically-advanced terminal was designed as the gateway to the 2008 Olympic Games. It features a dragon-like shape, “celebrating the thrill and poetry of flight and evoking traditional Chinese colours and symbols.”
Apple Park – Cupertino, US (2017)
Based on an original idea conceived by Steve Jobs, the distinctive circular structure is dominated by local vegetation and a large, central pond .
Droneport project - Rwanda (est. 2020)
The first initiative by the Norman Foster Foundation is scheduled for completion this year. This elegant, vaulted airport for drones is intended to facilitate delivery of medical and commercial supplies , overcoming the country’s lack of infrastructure.